Unit 7

Overview

We begin by looking at community nutrition programs- local to federal, and consider how they reflect social values and address needs. Your assignment this week offers an opportunity to explore a program in detail.

Public health seeks to 'make the healthy choice the easy choice.' All too often, the easy choices are not the healthy ones. It may take very intentional policy changes to improve options.

We complete this unit by assessing opportunities to create environments that set the stage for healthier lifetimes. What aspects of neighborhoods, communities, towns, cities and countries support nutrition and wellness for healthy aging?

Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, be comfortable in your ability to:

• Explore community resources that support older adult wellness in the area of nutrition.
• Demonstrate how community resources support aging across a continuum of care.
• Propose potential approaches to address health and nutritional needs of aging at the community level.
• Detail a plan to maximize wellness throughout the life course for individuals, communities, and society.

Instructional Materials & Assignments

• Read Community Nutrition & Aging
• Read Federal Nutrition Programs for Older Adults
• Read Creating Nourishing Communities for Aging
• Read USDA: Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
• Read USDA: Commodity Supplemental Food Program
• Unit 7A Assignment: Community Resource Exploration
• Unit 7B Assignment: Community Resource Deep Dive
• Unit 7 Discussion: Collaboration
• Confirm Your Big Idea Topic