Intergenerational Engagement
Worcester State University, with the support of Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, is working to reduce social isolation among the elderly population during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The goal of this project is to engage with the elderly population in the Greater Worcester Area through online interaction and learning opportunities offered by Worcester State University faculty and other experts.
VIDEO MODULES
Nutritional Tips (Spanish)
A video series in Spanish with a dietitian that will cover some tips and information geared toward the elder population. Videos available beginning in October. Additionally, on October 29th, 2020 from 10-11am, this module series will involve a live Question and Answer session via Zoom.
Mariana C. Calle, Ph.D., MS, RDN
Associate Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Worcester State University
Module 1
Elija "MiPlato" alimentación saludable para adultos mayores
Cada 5 años el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA siglas en inglés) publica las guías alimentarias para los Americanos. El icono “Elija MiPlato” es una guía práctica para ayudar a seguir una alimentación saludable. Este módulo describe los grupos de alimentos de mi plato y la importancia de una alimentación balanceada para nuestra salud.
“Choose MyPlate,” healthy eating for older adults
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases the dietary guidelines for Americans every 5 years. This provides evidence-based nutrition information and advice to help Americans make healthy choices. The icon that the USDA uses, MyPlate is a practical tool to find each person healthy eating style.
Module 2
Rotulados Alimentarios:
El nuevo rotulado de información nutricional está vigente desde 2020. El formato del nuevo rotulado tiene como objetivo reflejar las actualizaciones en la información científica, incluyendo las conexiones entre enfermedades crónicas como la obesidad y las enfermedades cardiovasculares.
Understanding the new food labels
The new nutrition facts label for packaged food became mandatory in 2020. The new label format aims to reflect new scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease.
Module 3
Azúcares agregados: efectos para la salud en adultos mayores
Los carbohidratos simples se encuentran en las frutas (azúcar natural) y en alimentos procesados (azúcar agregada). El término azúcar “libre” se refiere a los azúcares agregados como la miel, el azúcar de mesa, los jarabes de maíz de alta fructosa, los concentrados de jugo de fruta. La Organización mundial de la Salud recomienda firmemente reducir los azúcares libres a menos del 10% del consumo de energía total diario.
Added sugars: health effects for older adults
Simple carbohydrates are present in fruits (natural sugar) and in food products (added sugar.) Free sugars refer to added sugar and to sugars present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and juice concentrates. The World Health Organization strongly recommends reducing free sugars intake to less than 10% of total energy.
Module 4
Superalimentos:promover la energía y la salud
Las frutas y los vegetales contienen fitoquímicos, estos son componentes de las plantas no nutritivos. Los compuestos bioactivos que le dan color y textura a frutas y vegetales están asociados con numerosos beneficios para la salud. Por ejemplo: reducción de la inflamación, reducción de la presión arterial y posiblemente contribución a fortalecer el sistema inmunológico.
Superfoods: boost your energy and your health
Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals, these are non-nutrient components of plants. The bioactive food components that give color and texture to fruits and vegetables are associated with numerous health benefits. For example, decreased inflammation, decreased blood pressure and it may contribute to the strengthening of your immune system.
Oct 29, 2020 -- 10:00 AM
Blue and Red Health Icons Medical Conference Poster-3.pdfUrban Gardening
In this video series, the WSU Teaching Garden Manager offers gardening tips to increase knowledge of horticulture, gardening, sustainability, and urban community building. This involves a series of 5-6 videos available beginning in December.
Howard Lucas
WSU Teaching Garden Manager
Department of Urban Studies
Worcester State University
Coming soon...
Active Lives (Vietnamese)
A video series of interviews between youth and elders from the Southeast Asian-American communities of Worcester, discussing elders' strategies for remaining active and healthy during this pandemic. Videos available beginning in October.
Coming soon...
Music of the Americas
An interactive series of performances and discussions offered by a professional musician and ethnomusicologist, WSU Visiting Professor, Dr. Carlos Odria, focused on Latin American musical traditions and their place in the region's history and society. Videos available beginning in December.
Carlos Odria, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Visual + Performing Arts
Worcester State University
OUTREACH PROGRAMS
Weekly Connections
This module will pair older adults with university students with the goal of establishing weekly connections either by telephone or Zoom. Shared readings, videos, or mini-lectures will serve as discussion starters for each week. Weekly connections will provide both groups the opportunity to interact with each other while learning more about aging-related topics. The overarching theme will focus on the roles of topics such as physical health, relationships, and societal factors on maintaining cognitive ability and mental health in aging.
The course is run by Dr. Nicole Rosa, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Worcester State University.
Urban Memoirs and Immigration Stories
Engage in weekly conversations with WSU students to discuss your lived experiences, in central Massachusetts and elsewhere. This is an opportunity to make a connection and help students gain knowledge by learning about your life. Students in courses on Immigration and Memoir-writing are eager to meet you!
Courses run by Dr. Timothy Murphy, Associate Professor, and Dr. Adam Saltsman, Department of Urban Studies, Worcester State University
Oral Histories
Connect with WSU students and faculty to share stories of your lives, especially your experiences and perspectives during the COVID era . We will record your interview and archive it as an oral history in a WSU CityLab Digital Archive.
The CityLab Oral History Project is overseen by Dr. Thomas Conroy, Associate Professor of Urban Studies, Worcester State University. Reach out to him here to be paired up with a WSU student or professor,
VIRTUAL CLASSES
English Language Learning (Full for Fall 2020)
This series of classes position elders as English language tutors and learners in synchronous virtual classroom learning under the guidance of an instructor. This corresponds to an Urban Studies practicum course scheduled for Fall 2020 and managed by the Urban Action Institute.
Interested in joining as an English tutor? Please email Joanne Jaber Gauvin.
If you're interested in joining as an English language learner, please email Elianna Stanislawski.
This program is made possible by the generous support of a CARES Act grant through
