Layne Langley, LSU AgCenter Area Nutrition Agent, began delivering “Stay Independent: A Healthy Aging Series” to the clients of the West Feliciana Council on Aging (COA) in October. Stay Independent, a nutrition and wellness program, was developed by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and is being piloted by Flavors of Health Nutrition Agents at the LSU AgCenter. Stay Independent is for adults age 60+.Key behaviors placing older adults at risk are not eating three meals a day and limited intakes of protein and produce. And many older adults are not physically active which can increase their risk of sarcopenia, or age-related muscle wasting. Stay Independent provides these older adults with research-based nutrition and wellness information to help them reduce their nutritional risk and sarcopenia risk. Cheryl Franklin, West Feliciana COA Activity Director thought the series would be beneficial for her clients.

Stay Independent is comprised of lessons to meet the needs of older adults including: Three Meals a Day, Feast on Fruits & Vegetables, Power Up with Protein, Exercise Your Independence, Cooking for One or Two, and Brain Health.

During the Three Meals a Day session, the COA clients, learned the importance of eating regular meals. They also identified serving sizes of the various MyPlate food groups. Those participating in the session also received several easy meal and snack recipes they can prepare at home. After the session, the clients assembled and tasted Whole Meal Salad. The Feast on Fruits & Vegetables session reminded the clients of the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables. COA clients learned the dietary recommendations of fruits and vegetables for older adults. During the session, they received tips on different methods of preparing produce. The group also discussed fruit and vegetable options for those who have chewing issues. The session ended with the group preparing and sampling Asian Coleslaw.

In Exercise Your Independence session, the COA clients explored the importance of physical activity. The group discovered ways to stay active even when busy and discussed strategies to fitting physical activity into a busy schedule. During the session, the clients also participated in some physical activities. During Power Up with Protein, the COA clients were taught the importance of eating protein. Those participating learned to identify protein-rich foods. They were also informed of the protein recommendations for older adults.

COA clients identified strategies to overcome barriers to cooking for one or two in the Cooking for One or Two session. They reviewed the MyPlate and were reminded to use it to help with meal planning. They also practiced cutting recipes in halves and thirds and increased their awareness of safe food preparation. Save Your Brain was the last session in this series. The COA clients learned food’s role in brain preservation. The participants completed a Save Your Brain Quiz. This self-assessment tool was used to determine their brain health score and identify areas of improvement. During the session, the participants realized the best ways to help prevent cognitive decline is to eat right and move more. The clients discovered that keeping their minds strong gives them the chance to live longer and stay independent.

For more information on the Stay Independent Healthy Aging Series, contact Layne Langley at lalangley@agcenter.lsu.edu or at 225-635-3614.