Speeches
2004
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.
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