It’s never too early—or too late—to set goals for staying independent in mid and later life. Learn about the benefits of eating well and moving more, avoiding fraud and scams, planning for future housing and care needs, and more!
Intended audience: Adults age 60 or older
Format: 1-hour classes; 10 topics available
Cost: $10 per class; scholarships available during online registration
Class Titles and Resources
- Brain Health
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Healthy habits support healthy brains! Explore MIND diet recommendations for eating well, the importance of social connections, and activities to exercise the body and brain.
- Cooking for One or Two
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One and two-person households are the fastest-growing segment of the population. Learn to use MyPlate for meal planning and unpack our toolbox of tips for planning, shopping, and preparing well-balanced meals.
- MyPlate for Older Adults
- Recipe Idea - Easy Roasted Veggies
- Recipe Idea - Garbanzo Bean Dip (hummus)
- Recipe Idea - Scrambled Egg Muffins
- Exercise Your Independence
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Physical activity is an important part of any healthy lifestyle. Learn about tips to stay active when you are busy and strategies to fit physical activity into a busy schedule.
- Walk Your Way to Fitness
- Exercise and Physical Activity Guide
- Exercise Handouts - 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B
- Feast on Fruits and Vegetables
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Fruits and vegetables are nutrition powerhouses that add flavor to any meal! They help with digestion, a strong immune system, and lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, high blood pressure, and bone loss like osteoporosis. Learn about easy ways to prepare produce to get your fill each day.
- Final Arrangements
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Thinking about mortality—your own or that of a loved one—is difficult. Making final arrangements involves more than planning a funeral. Get information about funeral/burial options and costs and related Iowa laws. Use a pre-planning checklist to consider end-of-life decisions that can be made now and how to organize documents to help the living.
- Planning Ahead for Future Care
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Planning now allows you to make decisions about future care that are based on your wishes. Learn about the basics of future care planning and preparing for medical appointments/events. Explore tips for communicating with healthcare professionals and take home a packet of documents to help organize your medical history, key contacts, and community resources.
- Power Up with Protein
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Protein is a “hot” topic in nutrition right now, particularly for adults aged 60 and older. Protein in meals and snacks will give you energy and keep you full. Learn more about food sources of protein and how to include them in your diet.
- Spot, Stop, and Avoid Fraud
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Protect yourself and others from being a victim of fraud. Learn about common scams and warning signs and how to take action to protect against theft of money, property, or belongings.
- Video - Family Emergency Imposter Scams
- How to Avoid a Scam
- Report imposter scams to the Federal Trade Commission
- Check credit reports each year for free
- Avoid telephone fraud
- Add telephone number to the Do Not Call Registry
- Check charities before giving
- Area Agencies on Aging - call 800-532-3213
- Iowa Department of Aging, Legal Hotline for Older Iowans (60+) - call 800-992-8161
- Three Meals a Day
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Maintain your independence with three daily meals that provide energy to keep your body and brain healthy. Meals don’t have to be complicated or fancy! Learn about ways to quickly cook nutritious meals from the MyPlate food groups.
- Recipe Idea - Whole Meal Salad
- MyPlate for Older Adults
- Thriving in Place
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Put plans in place now that support your ability to continue independent living for the years ahead. Identify your priorities, assess your current environment, and explore home modifications to help aging in place be safe and comfortable.
National Resources
- National Aging in Place Council
- The Costs of Aging Handbook
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
- LongTermCare.gov
- Cost of Long-Term Care Survey
- Good Samaritan Society
- Respite Care Angels
- ElderCare Locator
- Use Your Home to Stay at Home
Iowa Resources
Upcoming Events
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02 Apr 9:30AMWest Union, IAApr 2, 2024, 9:30 am
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02 Apr 1:00PMOelwein, IAApr 2, 2024, 1:00 pm
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03 Apr 10:00AMKnoxville, IAApr 3, 2024, 10:00 am
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09 Apr 1:00PMGrundy Center, IAApr 9, 2024, 1:00 pm