The space features eight cooking stations where health care professionals and students will learn culinary medicine, a growing field that integrates nutrition science with practical culinary skills that can lead to improved health, including better management and prevention of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

The kitchen supports the mission of the Trager Institute/Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults in Kentucky through innovative, age-friendly health care practices. The Culinary Medicine Kitchen, located in the institute’s East Market St. facility, will host physicians, trainees, medical students and other health care providers for hands-on demonstrations that will help them guide patients to better health through healthy eating. The kitchen also will host nutrition-focused cooking demonstrations for the community.

“This wonderful educational venue is an outstanding example of our dedication to advancing medical education and community health, reinforcing our role as a leader in integrating innovative practices into health care training,” said UofL President Gerry Bradley. “It also highlights the Trager Institute’s distinctive approach and dedication to ensuring that older adults across Kentucky receive the care and support they deserve with dignity and compassion.”

The UofL School of Medicine joins 60 other medical schools in using the American College of Culinary Medicine curriculum to train health care professionals to understand and communicate the impact of good nutrition on their patients’ health. At UofL, the kitchen will serve as a vital resource for the Schools of Medicine, Public Health and Information Sciences, Nursing, Social Work and others, supporting their mission to train future and current health care providers and advisors in the role of nutrition in patient health.

“Research shows that good nutrition not only promotes overall health and well-being but also plays a crucial role in preventing and managing chronic diseases,” said Joe D’Ambrosio, director of behavioral health at the Trager Institute. “The Culinary Medicine Kitchen will help bridge the gap between what we know about nutrition and the practice of medicine.”

The Culinary Medicine Kitchen was created with support from GE Appliances, a Haier company, which donated state-of-the-art appliances for the buildout. Features such as an overhead camera and large-screen TVs in the kitchen give learners a bird’s-eye view of techniques for engaging, informative demonstrations. Integrated technology also enables live remote classes as well video recording to create enduring resources for sharing with patients and health professionals online.

Improving health for older adults

Beyond the kitchen, new and renewed funding for workforce training and support services has allowed the Trager Institute to expand its mission to improve the quality of life for older adults across the state. The institute has increased its age and dementia-friendly care and support services, particularly in underserved and rural areas to improve care for the Kentucky’s rapidly aging population.

Last year, the institute received $5 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP), the third consecutive GWEP grant awarded to the institute, following grants in 2015 and 2019.

The new funding allowed the institute to establish FlourishCare Centers of Excellence in the , Cumberland Valley and Barren River regions of Kentucky, bringing together experts from universities, health care providers, community organizations and local governments to improve how care is provided to older adults. Their goal is to ensure health care professionals have the specialized knowledge needed to care for aging adults and to help them stay independent, maintain their dignity and improve their overall well-being.

“By connecting different systems — hospitals, nursing homes, senior care programs and government services — the centers foster a coordinated approach to health care, ensuring that older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions receive continuous and well-organized support, whether they are at home, in a hospital or in a care facility,” said Anna Faul, executive director of the Trager Institute.

In addition, the institute’s Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic was selected as a UofL Health demonstration site for the (GUIDE) model by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. This national initiative is focused on improving communication between primary care providers and specialists, provides educational resources and emotional support for caregivers, offers respite care and ensures health equity for dementia patients and their families. It is provided at no cost to eligible participants.

The Trager Institute also is expanding its FlourishCare initiative that supports vulnerable older adults with diabetes, depression and dementia, as well as their caregivers thanks to a $600,000 grant over four years from the Administration for Community Living. FlourishCare services aim to improve health outcomes and access to care for those in underserved areas of Kentucky, including:

• BRI Care Consultation:��Supports people with dementia and their caregivers by addressing unmet needs, reducing stress and alleviating depression
• Diabetes Self-Management Program:��Empowers participants to manage their diabetes effectively
• Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors:��Helps older adults manage and reduce symptoms of depression

To see more images from the ribbon cutting, visit the .

Matt Willinger contributed to this story.

According to experts at the , the benefits of movement for older adults are worth the effort. Activity can help them maintain physical and cognitive abilities, allowing them to continue to do the things they enjoy.

“Our bodies are very adjustable, and exercise is so beneficial. Older adults have a high risk of dying because they fall. They fall because they have lost muscle strength and they lose their balance,” said Anna Faul, executive director of the institute. “In order to improve muscle strength and improve balance, you need to do cardiovascular exercise and you need to do strength training.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) , along with two sessions of strength training. For people who have not been active in recent years or who may have conditions that make movement more challenging, that target can seem overwhelming.

The Trager Institute offers several opportunities to help older adults in the community get moving, including some recommended in a recent that focuses on strategies to help them get the recommended amount of exercise each week.

Among these are yoga and tai chi, which can help increase strength and balance. The institute offers two days a week. Classes are just $5 per session (or free for those who cannot afford the fee). The classes not only increase strength and balance, but provide social engagement, another important factor in healthy aging.

Mary Furlong Coomer, an 82-year-old West Louisville resident, has been participating in exercise classes and more at Trager Institute since late 2022. Although she was active for many years prior, she has found the art and fitness activities at Trager suit her needs well now as she returns to activity from pandemic lockdown and multiple joint surgeries.

“I have played tai chi and done yoga for decades, but I wanted to be sure not to overdo. The beginning tai chi and gentle yoga have helped me stay motivated,” she said.

Another strategy used at the Trager Institute is motivational interviewing, helping patients connect the desire to be active with things that matter to them, such as the ability to spend time with grandchildren.

As a former fitness instructor and through her own experience, Coomer said it helps to focus on the benefits.

“I found it boils down to one thing: Do what you will do and don’t kid yourself you have to like it. It’s discipline,” Coomer said. “You have to rewind back to that tiny pinhole of willingness and do the very least you can manage and still look yourself in the mirror. Experience has taught me that by trusting the process and pushing my sorry self out the door, I will be happy afterwards.”

Faul agrees that it’s OK to start slow in making changes to your activity level, but the important thing is to start.

“Small steps lead to bigger steps. Why don’t you just for today go and get the mail in the mailbox. And then why don’t you maybe walk two times around the mailbox before you pick up the mail? Little things that help people build some confidence that they can actually do something like this are really important,” Faul said.

Exercising with others is helpful for many people. Previously, LeRoy Chittenden taught yoga daily, but to regain his capacity after pandemic lockdown, he has been taking tai chi and yoga at Trager for the last several months and teaches chair yoga on Fridays. He said having others in class with him helps him stay on track.

“The only exercise I do by myself is walk. I need other people to make things easy,” he said. “To paraphrase Kermit — It’s not easy being old. Everything is twice as hard.”

It’s never too late to start moving more, Faul said, and small efforts can yield great benefits.

“You can start at 90 years old. Take the stairs – even if it’s slow, park further from your destination to increase steps,” Faul said. “It will be very helpful for your personal health and your mental health. You will not believe how valuable exercise is for mental health.”

An even more robust activity program is expected to be available at Trager Institute later this fall. Justin Dials, an exercise physiologist and assistant professor in the UofL Department of Health and Sports Sciences, is building an exercise-based program similar to cardiac rehabilitation, which he plans to launch later this year. The program will be a structured exercise plan designed as preventive medicine for older adults who are at risk for various age-related disorders, including but not limited to traditional risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Dials also plans to document changes in participants’ health over time.

“We want to see the effect of exercise training on limiting the natural effects of aging that we as humans experience. As we age, the chances for both physical and psychological disorders increase and can be improved with evidence-based practice, which will be the cornerstone of this new and unique program.”

“The window of time when people are willing to accept behavioral health help is sometimes narrow,” said Kelly Gillooly, M. Ed., LCADC, UofL Health system director of Behavioral Health. “With PeaceNow, the 3-4 month waiting period has been reduced to days and eliminated in some cases. The virtual environment allows us to see many referred patients immediately or on the same day.”

A PeaceNow pilot program began in July 2022, opening first to referrals from UofL Physicians. In its first six months, more than 1,200 patients have been served. Today, referrals are accepted from all providers,��mental health therapists, school counselors and social workers in Jefferson County and surrounding Kentucky counties. Future plans include adding Indiana counties, following regulatory approvals.

“Physical health and behavioral health cannot be separated. One influences the other and I see the impact of both with my patients,” said Traci Edwards, M.D., UofL Physicians – Primary Care. “Primary care physicians are ideally suited to refer for behavioral assessments since we know they already have the relationships, know the health history and are located all across the community.”

Referrals to PeaceNow are open to patients age 12 and above with a range of mental and substance use concerns, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• ADHD
• Substance use disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Trauma
• Grief
• Other mental health

“Individuals seeking care for their mental health are often met with long wait times before they receive appropriate treatment. This delay increases the likelihood that their symptoms and condition may worsen before care is provided,” said Nancy Brooks, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Louisville chapter. “The access to more immediate professional care that is now being offered through PeaceNow will help many individuals bridge the gap between the onset of mental health concerns and proper diagnosis and treatment.”

Telebehavioral health assessments, through PeaceNow will be performed by a clinical psychologist or a licensed therapist, with additional referrals to the appropriate level of care. Some brief therapy may also occur over the telehealth platform. All care will be supervised by psychiatrists and psychiatric APRN’s, who will also provide clinical services to patients.

“The virtual assessment may not entirely replace the need for in-person therapy, but it is a critical new access point,” said Robert Caudill, M.D., UofL Physicians – Psychiatry and Depression Center and professor of psychiatry at University of Louisville. “By launching PeaceNow, we hope to make behavioral health more accessible and expedite the connection of patients to definitive care.”

Older adults may be referred through PeaceNow to the at the University of Louisville Trager Institute.

“Our focus at the Trager Institute is on older adults. It is estimated that 20% of people age 55 or older experience some type of mental health concern, such as anxiety, severe cognitive impairment, depression or bipolar disorder,” said Anna Faul, Ph.D., executive director of the institute. “Combining the PeaceNow team and the Trager team, we believe that we are filling a void in our community that will lead to better health outcomes in the future.”

More information on PeaceNow is available through your primary care provider, mental health therapist, school counselor, social worker or at:��

UofL News: Please describe some of the health disparities that directly impact the older adult population.��

Harrington: Ageism is a collective result of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination based solely on age. This is a relevant barrier to health care equity and patient safety. Our mindset of ageism must change. Human life means growing older across the life span without self-exclusion. The burden of preventable disease, mistreatment and inequity in access to and the provision of quality health care impedes opportunities to achieve optimal health. Optimal aging begins in early life and continues across the lifespan.

UofL News: What are some ways to overcome these challenges?��

Harrington: We must take a collaborative all-hands-on-deck approach. There is a strong body of research showing patient outcomes are best when inter-professional teams work together. Our patients are begging for access to high-quality health care.

UofL News: Louisville is home to multiple aging care businesses and city leaders hope we can be innovators for improving quality of life for the growing population of older adults throughout the United States. How do you see your work (both in research and teaching) contributing to this effort?��

Harrington: Ensuring that all our primary care nurse practitioner graduates acquire the knowledge and skill to care for our older adults in the community and long-term care settings is my highest priority as a nursing educator. Disseminating content for student and practicing nurse practitioners on the most complex medical conditions will hopefully help them improve their patients’ outcomes.

I and my medical and computer science and engineering colleagues also are working to change the most confounding social problems affecting older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers using artificial intelligence and innovative product design. This exciting research has substantial social and policy implications.

UofL News: As someone with decades of geriatric nursing experience, explain how your research has helped improve the health and well-being of family caregivers of those with��Alzheimer’s disease/Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD).��

Harrington: From the 30,000-foot perspective, the gaps are vast in every area of aging. Fifteen million family caregivers of those with ADRD and 12 million ADRD care recipients are potentially impacted by research and innovative practice models adopted by health care professionals. It is difficult to separate research in aging into disease-based categories because they are all interconnected. My defined program of nursing scholarship and creative activity focuses on older adults’ and their caregivers’ health disparities and power inequity in the context of heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias, and ageism.

UofL News: What are some of your significant areas of geriatric research?����Describe for us some of the outcomes.

Harrington: Yes, in the context of the fellowship with the academy, there are several:

• 5 million individuals who reside in long-term care have heart failure. My innovative heart failure evidence-based guideline remains the only nurse-driven practice guideline of its kind since 2006, and has received national and international recognition through citations and inclusion of content. I created the ACE (Assess, Collaborate, Engage) Delirium Superimposed on Dementia practice model to improve how we approach delirium superimposed on dementia that impacts 20 million hospitalized older adults with ADRD yearly. That research recently published in .
• I believe education for quality health care for older adults requires a multi-prong approach that reaches health science students, health science professionals and families in the community. The possibilities for nursing innovation are infinite with inter-professional collaboration and begin with identifying the problems in care provision or care delivery. Redesigning the Medicare Annual Visit process for a 45 office Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), prompted leading an inter-professional team in the development and production of an innovative desktop application for comprehensive geriatric assessment with custom reporting capabilities for FQHCs.
• The outcome of the first population-based study of 1,500 older adults in eastern North Carolina identified family caregivers’ need and desire for the knowledge and skill to be optimal caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s disease. We also realized how unrealistic it is to expect farmers to lose critical daylight hours to seek preventive health care, so we connected them to AgriSafe nursing services who visited them on their farms. The population-based community research led to delivering person-in-context dementia simulation to caregivers as an educational method to improve their understanding of dementia and their family members’ daily challenges and multiple educational workshops in collaboration with area agencies on aging.
• Between 2015 and 2017, I conducted two research studies that successfully eliminated academic silos in inter-professional geriatric education. The outcomes were an innovative and sustained Two-As-One Preceptor Model and the Troika InterProfessional (TIP) Gerontology ����ֱ�� Model impacting over 300 third-year medical, primary care nurse practitioner and physician assistant students. The TIP outcome model was designed for a student team of three primary care professionals who learn and apply gerontology knowledge in a virtual clinic environment. All faculty reported students maintained proficiency in the content over time. These skills impact approximately 8 million older adults these individuals will serve when extrapolated over a 20-year career.

UofL News: What is the future of geriatric health care?��

Harrington: We currently have approximately 680,000 adults over the age of 65 in Kentucky. The majority of the state’s counties, 81 of 120, are medically underserved. This void is compounded by many primary care physicians who are approaching retirement. Nurse practitioners are critical to the care quality of our older adult population and will remain critical for at least the next 30 years. Enacting legislation to remove the practice barriers and allowing nurse practitioner to practice collaboratively at the full scope of our educations, experience and training is growing more so each year. This is imperative to our ability to impact the wide-range of health disparities our older adults experience.

“Aging is not inevitable; it is an opportunity. Not everyone has the chance to grow old,” said Robert Friedland, professor of neurology at the University of Louisville and an expert on aging. “How well we age depends on what we do.”

Inspired by his grandfather’s struggle with dementia, Friedland has spent nearly five decades as a neurologist and researcher, studying the causes of neurological diseases and seeking new ways to treat and prevent them. In addition to seeing patients with a focus on cognitive, behavioral and geriatric neurology, his ongoing research investigates the connection between microbes in the gut and mouth and the development of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Based on this work, Friedland says it is possible for people to preserve health into later years by stockpiling reserves in cognitive, physical, psychological and social health.

Although Friedland admits that certain physical declines are inevitable with age and that genetics can predispose a person to certain diseases, he believes in many cases these reserves can prevent diseases or lessen their effects, delay age-related declines and allow an older person to recover from accidents and illness.

“Genetics do have a role in our health but they are not the whole story. Choices we make throughout life affect whether diseases develop and how much they reduce our health when they do,” Friedland said. “We can do things that delay or mitigate heart disease, diabetes and cognitive and neurological diseases and allow us to recover from life events that otherwise may cause permanent declines in health.”

Each of Friedland’s four factors, described below, is dependent on the others. Friedland provides tips on increasing reserves of each area. By developing habits that add to these reserves, you can maximize your opportunity to remain active and healthy as you get older.

Cognitive reserve – The ability of the brain to work effectively, solve problems and make decisions.

Since the brain controls every system in the body, it makes sense that a healthy brain will support other reserve factors (physical, psychological, social).

Keep the brain healthy by seeking opportunities to learn new things and challenge your ways of thinking throughout life. Learn a new language or a new skill, such as playing a musical instrument or crochet. Play chess or other games. Any activity that involves learning and strategy will strengthen your brain.

“Watching television is not a good activity since it is completely passive and does not require participation. Reading is a better choice as it demands involvement,” Friedland said. “Telling stories is good for your memory and attention skills.”

Physical reserve��– The health of the body’s cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal and other systems.

These reserves depend on eating the right food, engaging in physical activity every day and receiving regular health care.

A diverse diet of healthy foods supports both your body and your microbiota, the microorganisms that live in and on the body and are essential to your overall health. Friedland recommends a diet that is mostly plants, high in fiber and low in sugar, salt and saturated fat. When you improve your diet, you also can improve the health of your microbes which aids your own health.

“I call it gene therapy in the kitchen,” Friedland said. “By making the best choices in your food, you can alter the genetic makeup of your microbiota and improve your overall health in as little as two weeks.”

Exercising for 30 minutes each day, regardless of weather or circumstance, is enough to improve physical health, Friedland says. More is better, of course, and when you combine physical activity with social interactions and cognitive activity by playing a sport such as golf or tennis, the benefits multiply.

Taking steps to protect yourself from injury or illness also is important. Wear a helmet when you are riding a bike, wash your hands and avoid exposure to toxins.

It also is important to get enough quality sleep each night, practice good dental hygiene, avoid excess alcohol and have regular medical checkups.

Polypharmacy is another problem to avoid. Friedland said that as people age, they may accumulate prescriptions for multiple health concerns that can interact or alter the effectiveness of each other. If you are taking several prescriptions, regularly evaluate all of them with your health care provider.

Psychological reserve��– A healthy mental state that is free of agitation, anxiety and depression.

Poor mental health can affect your ability to interact with others or maintain your physical health. Practice a positive mental attitude, engage in activities that are meaningful to you and manage stress with meditation or other measures.

“Depression is common in older people, and that can lead to memory problems,” Friedland said. “Physical factors can contribute to depression, such as poor sleep or vitamin deficiency. A lack of social interactions and physical activity also can cause or aggravate depression.”

Social reserve��– Personal relationships and the ability to function in society.

The company of others can motivate people to take care of themselves and encourage them to maintain healthful behaviors. Positive relationships can be with a spouse, a group of friends or professional colleagues.

“Studies indicate that dementia is more common among people whose social activity declines later in life,” Friedland said. “Humans need relationships with others in order to maintain good health.”����

Social engagement can go hand in hand with the other types of activity by including friends in physical exercise, games, a craft or work. Involvement in community or religious activities also can increase a sense of belonging and a desire to stay active.

Ideally, you will begin developing habits that contribute to these reserves early in life, but Friedland says it is possible to add to reserves and improve your health at any age – even once you reach an age when you experience the effects of deficits.

“Aging is not inevitable,” Friedland said. “The chance to be alive should be recognized as an opportunity – an opportunity to manage our lifestyle factors to maximize survival, health, fitness and meaning as we age.”

More detailed advice from Friedland that may help people live longer, healthier lives and a deeper discussion of the reasons he makes these recommendations are available in his book, “.” Published in October by Cambridge University Press, the book was cited by the Wall Street Journal as one of the five best books on aging and retirement published in 2022.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has accredited the Behavioral Health Service Organization at Trager for three years for outpatient treatment of adults and older adults. Trager is one of only 10 organizations around the globe accredited by CARF for mental health services for older adults.

“Accreditation is a public statement that our organization strives to ensure that our services are of the highest possible quality,” said Joe D’Ambrosio, the Trager Institute’s director of behavioral health. “At Trager, we are committed to reducing risk, addressing health and safety concerns, respecting cultural and individual preferences and providing the best possible quality of care.”

Mental health is an important aspect of overall health and well-being. Losses that can occur with aging – social activity,��identity and physical health – put individuals at higher risk for developing behavioral health issues. However, signs of mental illness in older adults often are overlooked or dismissed as normal symptoms of aging. Without treatment, conditions such as depression and anxiety can lead to further physical decline. Behavioral health services are provided as part of the clinic’s comprehensive care to help individuals maintain health as they age.��

In order to be CARF-accredited, programs and services must demonstrate that they conform to internationally recognized standards for service delivery and are committed to continuous quality improvement and a consumer-driven focus. CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services providers in aging services, behavioral health, child and youth services, durable medical equipment, employment and community services, medical rehabilitation, opioid treatment programs and vision rehabilitation services.

“For our Trager team, accreditation demonstrates our belief that all people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, have access to needed services that achieve optimum outcomes and are empowered to exercise informed choice,” D’Ambrosio said.

D’Ambrosio said that during Trager’s accreditation survey, the CARF surveyor commended the institute’s FlourishCare^TM service, an integrated lifelong wellness care approach focused on lifestyle and preventative medicine for adults of all ages, as well as the use of student interns and telehealth, increasing accessibility to services.

Trager’s aging services include the FlourishCare^TM assessment, care coordination, family support, medication management and education, organized education programs, end-of-life care and grief support, all available in a nationally recognized, age-friendly clinic.

The 11^th annual celebration was held Sept. 30 at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, recognizing 35 older adults for 2022. The ceremony is an Optimal Aging Month signature event organized each year by the�� Trager Institute/Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic to create an age-friendly culture in our community.

“The whole day was so special, making me and the honorees feel like a celebrity with all the attention,” said honoree Abbie Creed, 91. “From the minute I stepped onto the property, receiving a nametag and the beautiful corsage, being escorted to my table, receiving the certificate and especially the beautiful Gold Medal and the kindness shown throughout the whole program, made me feel so special and pampered beyond measure.”

Read about the exceptional older adults listed below at the . To see more photos from the event, visit the .

Virginia Bell | Age: 100

Ann Carter | Age: 89

Julia Coulter | Age: 86

Abbie Creed | Age: 91

Denny Crum | Age: 85

Sister Julia Davis | Age: 85

Rita Durbin | Age: 91

Reverend Jerry Eifler | Age: 86

Marge Fore | Age: 93

Betty French | Age: 85

Sarah Gabler�� | Age: 96

Mary Grayson | Age: 95

Jess and Rilda Hendrix | Age: 89 & 86

Patricia Holtzapple | Age: 90

Roma Houchin | Age: 86

Delbert Keith | Age: 89

Charles Kenneth Kinberger | Age: 94

Marjorie “Margie” Manning | Age: 93

Maria Marquez | Age: 86

Bertha Mason | Age: 97

Connie Miceli | Age: 93

John Moore | Age: 89

Elaine Morgan | Age: 85

Arla Nesbit | Age: 87

Norma Niehaus | Age: 91

Eleanor Price | Age: 102

Sheldon Rifkin | Age: 87

William Schmitt | Age: 90

David Stewart | Age: 86

Betty Stotz | Age: 88

Robin Whitehouse | Age: 87

Willa Fae Williams | Age: 86

Jocille Wright | Age: 92

Bette Zeller | Age: 95

The interactive info session can be viewed on the Zoom platform at: . To learn how to access a Zoom meeting, .

“As most of us have heard by this point, older adults and individuals with serious chronic diseases such as respiratory conditions, heart disease and diabetes are at elevated risk for serious cases of COVID-19. Given the expertise of our leadership team in the areas of older adult health and chronic disease management, we want to provide practical advice and guidance for people who are scared and concerned for their safety and health,” said Anna Faul, PhD, executive director of the UofL Trager Institute.��������

This session addresses the following pressing questions:

• How best to protect yourself from getting the virus
• What to do if you think you have the virus
• How to prepare for quarantine
• How to address the anxiety that may arise because of the pandemic
• How to care for older adults who may be quarantined in nursing homes
• How to combat loneliness during quarantine and social distancing
• How to care for chronic illness during this pandemic
• How to maintain your weight and physical activity
• How to handle lost earnings
• How to prevent coronavirus-related scams

This session is recorded from the live March 17 event and available for distribution.��������������

“Even though older adults and persons with chronic diseases face greater risk relating to COVID-19, there are simple precautions all of us can take to keep ourselves, our families and our communities as healthy and resilient as possible. If you are high-risk it is important to take proactive steps now to try to prevent the disease – such as washing your hands, avoid touching your face, avoiding crowds and non-essential travel – as well as developing safety plans in the event of quarantine or illness,” said Christian Davis Furman, MD, medical director of the UofL Trager Institute.

Important COVID-19 resources:

��

To help tackle the issue of opioid misuse in older adults, the at the University of Louisville has been working with individuals in rural Kentucky who are involved in the institute’s , which is designed to deliver interdisciplinary care coordination to those with chronic conditions.

Of the 154 patients who have received services, medication management issues related to opioid prescriptions and interactions with other medications were a factor with more than 90 patients. Medication safety also proved to be a problem, with family members or caregivers taking opioids from patients in at least 10 percent of cases.

The institute recently received supplemental federal funding to their��Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program grant, specifically to expand work in��Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble��counties related to opioids and older adults. This effort also will be offered in Jefferson, Barren, Metcalf and Hart counties.

“This additional funding will allow us to dramatically increase our ability to screen for potential opioid misuse and to educate patients, students and practitioners on best practices for pain management for older adults,” said Anna Faul, PhD, the institute’s executive director.

Joe D’Ambrosio, PhD, the institute’s director of health innovation & sustainability and assistant professor at the UofL School of Medicine, will lead an interdisciplinary clinical team of faculty from nursing, social work and counseling psychology to serve as mental health clinicians for the project.

He said the institute is developing a new program to train students and clinicians on how to identify and treat opioid-related substance abuse among older adults. The programming also will be offered to community mental health partners including , the region’s largest mental health care provider.