Remarks of Josefina G. Carbonell at the You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging Campaign Kick-off Meeting, Washington, DC August 12, 2004

Before I tell you about the You Can ! Campaign, I want to take just a few minutes to talk about what the Administration on Aging is doing to advance the Secretary’s Prevention initiative for older people.

As some of you know, AoA’s mission is to promote the dignity and independence of older people, and to help our society prepare for the aging of the population. The aging of America is going to require every sector of society to rethink the way it does business. This includes the business of Prevention.

We are also charged with promoting the development of a comprehensive and coordinated system of care at the community level that will help older people to remain active and healthy and, if they need help, to be able to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

We carry out our mission by working with and through a nationwide network - known as the Aging Services Network. Each year, we channel about $1.4 Billion in federal funds through the states and tribes to support a wide array of home and community-based social service programs and interventions.

Our 29,000 community providers reach over 8 million people each year, including 500,000 family caregivers.

Having run a community provider organization for almost 30 years, I can tell you first hand that the Aging Services Network has been in the prevention business since it’s inception in 1965.

We also help people learn about and access health programs they are entitled to but may not realize they are eligible for, such as Medicaid – and the new prescription drug benefit and preventive services that have been added to Medicare.

And we provide older people with opportunities to continue to feel valued by society and to remain engaged in their communities through part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. These program are often important for maintaining one’s own sense of worth as well as one’s mental health in old age.

In support of the President’s and Secretary’s prevention agenda, I am working to strengthen the capacity of our community service providers to deliver interventions that have proven to be effective in reducing the risk of disease and disability as people age. Also, we are working with our providers to use the funds currently available for health promotion services under the Older Americans Act more strategically.

Last year we launched a $6 million Evidence-Based Prevention Grants program to demonstrate how we can translate the Department’s research into practice through our community service provider agencies.

I’m also committed to raising awareness among the senior population about the importance of prevention and small steps that older people can take to maintain and improve their health – that’s why we are launching the You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging Campaign.

Now let’s talk about the You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging Campaign. This meeting launches the next phase of our national outreach and public awareness campaign to get the Secretary’s prevention message out to seniors all across the country. It is the aging component of the Secretary’s Steps initiative that Penny talked about. You Can! is focused on encouraging seniors to eat better and exercise more.

I call it the “2-2-2” campaign – because our goal is to mobilize 2,000 community organization to reach 2 million seniors within 2 years.

Some of you may ask why is there such a focus on prevention now?
The messages are everywhere from newspapers and magazines to the Mc Donald’s adult “Happy Meal.”

Today’s older Americans are healthier than ever before. As the population ages, we need to ensure that we reduce possible conditions of disease and disability so that older persons can remain healthy and active for as long as possible.

We are very fortunate to have a growing body of science in the area of prevention as it relates to older people. This science clearly shows that it is not too late for older persons – even for older persons with impairments – to obtain substantial health benefits by making lifestyle changes. Eat sensibly, don’t smoke or if you do quit, and get some exercise on a regular basis.

The science also supports the idea that we can achieve substantial savings by targeting prevention programs at older people. In 2000, the total cost of obesity for all ages was estimated to be $117 billion and health care costs associated with physical inactivity were more than $76 billion.

But I think Secretary Thompson says it best.
“ Prevention is the right cause, the right issue and this is the right time.”

We learned through focus groups that the older adults we are targeting are ready to make a change. They can’t do it alone. They need a friend, a neighbor, or a group to do it with them. They just need a little encouragement. So we need to provide programs that simple and fun to do.

Just like older adults, we need your help. As partners, we are asking you to help spread the word about the importance of lifestyle choices; share information about improving food choices and increasing physical activity; and consider making activities and programs available for older adults.

We can’t do it without you.

In return, we will recognize you as a partner; highlight your programs and activities; and provide networking opportunities.

You will receive the You Can! Toolkit and be invited to participate in national challenge events.

How do you get involved? Just sign up. You can make a difference! Please join us in helping older adults add life to their years not just years to their life.

Disclaimer: This text is the basis of the oral remarks of the Assistant Secretary for Aging. It should be used with the understanding that some material may be added or omitted.