RADFORD – More than 65 students from a Radford University gerontological nursing class are working together to promote healthy aging throughout the region.

Students will undertake presentations at various venues across the area, from elementary schools to senior centers. In the local school systems, the presentations will follow the theme of healthy aging into the future.

At Floyd County High School, RU students will address “Your Future Self.” The goal is to change students’ perception of elderly citizens. During the session for health assistant 2 class members, students will wear posters that describe who they are now and who they wish to be in 30 years. Students will learn about the physical, social and cognitive changes that occur in the elderly and discuss prevention techniques designed to ensure healthy aging, including healthy eating habits, the negative effects of alcohol and smoking and the benefits of regular exercise.

At Eastern Elementary School, students will learn about childhood obesity and the effects of aging. Falling Branch Elementary students in the 4th and 5th grades will also learn about childhood obesity. “Childhood obesity can have a huge impact on obesity as an adult, and we are trying to educate children as young as possible about this topic so they see the importance of eating healthy and exercising,” said RU student Stacey Corbin.

At Salem High School, 10th graders will learn the effects of aging on individuals and how to better their lifestyle. RU group member Bonnie McDaniel said the high school students will learn about the effects of alcohol, smoking, exercise, nutrition and diabetes and the preventative measures they can take to ensure they “grow older gracefully.”

At senior centers across the area, students will offer programs that promote health and prevent illness and functional disability. “The older adult can benefit from programs that will educate them about their health and ways to stay independent,” said Virginia Burggraf, RU nursing professor and a strong advocate of gerontological nursing education.

According to Burggraf, approximately 5 to 7 percent of older adults reside in nursing homes. “The population is growing so fast that, at present, there are more persons over the age of 65 than under the age of 18,” she said. “The 85 and older population is the fastest growing, so it is our collective responsibility to keep them well and healthy.”

The following programs are free and open to all citizens age 50 or older except where noted. 

“Vial of Life”
Thursday, Oct. 18
12:15 p.m.
Christiansburg Recreational Center (No registration required)
1 p.m.
Salem Senior Center (No registration required)
6:30 p.m.
Warm Hearth Village, Karr Activity Center (Open only to independent living     residents; no registration required)
In times of an emergency, medical personnel may be unable to easily locate a patient’s medical history.  The “Vial of Life” program offers seniors the opportunity to fill out medical information forms that may be located easily by medical personnel. Participants will receive two “Vial of Life” stickers that may be used to mark the information form container and to place on their front door so emergency personnel are aware that a “Vial of Life” is available.

“AARP Driver Safety Program”
Oct. 18-19 (Registration deadline is Oct. 12; call 540-639-3923 to register)
1-5 p.m.
Harvey GM
RU students have collaborated with AARP and Harvey Chevrolet in Radford to offer the AARP Driver Safety Program. The program is the first and largest classroom driver improvement course designed especially for motorists age 50 and older. The course covers the normal changes in vision, hearing and reaction time associated with aging and provides practical techniques to compensate for these changes. Participants may also receive an insurance reduction upon course completion. Contact your insurance agent to find out if you are eligible to receive this discount. There are no tests or registration fees.

“Heart Health”
Friday, Oct. 19
2 p.m.
Radford Senior Center (No registration required)
Discuss how the human heart ages and the benefits of exercise and proper nutrition. Healthy snacks will be available.

Burggraf hopes the presentations will not only benefit the citizens of the community but will also have a lasting effect on the RU students involved.

“It is my hope that the students gain not only more knowledge about older adults in the community setting but also an appreciation for the older adult—their wisdom, love of life and continued effort to desire good health and happiness, all values that we never lose whether young or old,” she said. “I think many of the students have changed their attitude about growing old with experiences in the long-term care facilities, assisted living and the community. How can one not be acculturated to older age? It is all around us to be embraced.”