HEALTHY AGING

Healthy Aging resources include programs and guidance on behaviors and practices that lead to physical and emotional well-being.

Resources & Reference Materials for Community Health Workers & Chronic Disease

CHW-led interventions that focus on chronic disease management are known to have positive health outcomes for individuals and communities. In particular, research has shown that CHWs can positively influence hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and asthma. Individuals who participate in CHW-led programs have demonstrated improvements in A1C levels, increased their physical activity, improved their mental health, and have a better understanding of their conditions. CHWs are particularly effective at addressing chronic disease because they come from the communities they serve. This quality puts CHWs in the best position to provide health education that is culturally aligned and in the language of the people being served. These resources go in-depth about the positive impacts that CHW-led interventions can have on individual patients, organizations, and communities. They draw from MHP Salud’s own experience implementing and improving CHW-led programs that address chronic disease and include information on other useful resources.
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National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease: 2021 Update

On January 4, 2011, the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) (Public Law 111-375) was signed into law. The Act defines "Alzheimer's" as Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) and requires the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Alzheimer's Project to: - Create and maintain an integrated National Plan to overcome Alzheimer's disease; - Coordinate Alzheimer's disease research and services across all federal agencies; - Accelerate the development of treatments that would prevent, halt, or reverse the course of Alzheimer's disease; - Improve early diagnosis and coordination of care and treatment of Alzheimer's disease; - Decrease disparities in Alzheimer's disease for racial and ethnic minority populations that are at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease; and, - Coordinate with international bodies to fight Alzheimer's disease globally. The law also establishes the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services (Advisory Council) and requires the Secretary of HHS, in collaboration with the Advisory Council, to create and maintain a National Plan to overcome AD/ADRD.
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5 Ways Community Health Workers Engage with Hispanic/Latino Older Adults

It is important to engage Hispanics in health services as they age to promote health and wellbeing; reduce health disparities; and prevent social isolation, injury due to falls, and the development of chronic conditions. These engagement strategies must meet individuals where they are and provide information in a way that is easy to understand and relates to their cultural values and norms.
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Library of Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) Programs

Evidence-based programs offer proven ways to promote health and prevent disease among older adults. Use this tool to search for evidence-based programs that match your community's needs and are approved for funding through Older Americans Act Title III-D. The programs included are not exhaustive and represent those that have been approved through the Evidence-Based Program Review Process.
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Aging in Style: Health Topics Among Hispanics/Latinos

Most older adults would prefer to live out their golden years in the comfort of their homes. This population continues to grow more diverse – by 2060, Hispanic Americans are projected to make up 21% of the entire older adult population.1 For Hispanic/Latino elders, there are unique challenges to safely aging in place including managing multiple chronic diseases, language barriers, difficulty navigating the US health care system, minimal financial resources to meet the needs that come with aging at home, receiving sufficient support for family caregivers, and maintaining important connections with loved ones. As this population grows, it will become even more important for service providers to understand how to meet these needs.
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