Progress 09/01/08 to 10/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 'Mastery of Aging Well' has been designed and implemented as a five-module, web-based educational program for older adults. It is available in three convenient electronic formats. Option One provides web access to 30-40 minutes of practical, research-based information on each of the following topics: 1) memory difficulties 2) depression in later life 3) medication jeopardy 4)'food as medicine' (nutrition) and 5)physical activity and exercise in later life. The easily found link (http://outreach.oregonstate.edu/aging-well) has, since the project was launched in the Fall of 2009, been the first response to appear when you google "Mastery of Aging Well." The peer reviewed information was developed in a manner that allows older adults to specify a select area of interest or review an entire module; accomodations for hearing or sight impaired person have been incorporated. Narration is clear and has been tested with aging populations and has been consistently well received. The second format, Option 2 is an interactive on-line university-based course in which aging adults or their family members enroll. It provides enhanced information in each of the five subject areas and includes imbedded video segments with actual aging adults in problem-solving situations. Additional print materials and a variety of resource links are also provided and faculty mentoring occurs (on-line and via telephone/skype. The six-week Option 2 course is available for distance learning enrollment, nationwide, for a six-week period in October and April of each year. The final format, Option 3 is a five-set DVD "Learning Package" that does not require internet connectivity. For older adults who prefer television as their educational reference, the Option 1 materials have been converted into DVDs that can be enjoyed a living room setting with family and friends. A peer reviewed faciliator's ("study") guide is contained in each DVD Learning Package to assist and promote discussion of the materials. Increasing use is being made of Mastery materials as "video book clubs" where small groups gather to watch a module and discuss it. The Option 3 video book clubs are being used by organizations that include Osher Lifelong Learning Insitute (OLLI), Elders In Action and select community hospitals. Mastery of Aging Well was developed in concert with AARP Oregon and AARP continues to sponsor the training of AARP volunteers to faciliate the book club approach and be involved in promotion of all options. An AARP-sponsored Telephone Town Hall featuring Mastery of Aging Well occurred in October of 2010 and drew 11,544 callers, 3,000 of whom were provided follow-up Mastery of Aging Well information in a colorful brochure format. In addition, eXtension's Caregiving Community of Practice (COP) houses the modules as well as a brief article about each subject area. PARTICIPANTS: Mastery of Aging Well has been a collaboration between Oregon State University Outreach & Engagement, Oregon State University Extension, Oregon AARP and eXtension. TARGET AUDIENCES: Older adults (age 55+)living in mixed rural/urban areas. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The evaluation methods for the 'Mastery of Aging Well" program vary depending on the format. Option One is evaluated based on number of 'hits' on the link (as of this writing, 5-10/day) and the length of time the individuals spends on a specific module. Early indications have been that time spent on a module has exceeded original assumptions. Option Two has a built-in, peer-reviewed, 10-question, pre-post test for each module. Individuals who take all five pre-post tests are automatically awarded the "Certificate of Mastery of Aging Well." To date (in the pilot phase and during the first Option Two course held in the Fall of 2010) the majority of enrollees scored 60-80% of accurately answered questions on the pre-test and 90-100% on the post-test indicating knowledge gains. Option Three is evaluated in four ways: 1) how many collaborating organizations elect to train their volunteers to faciliate video book clubs and how many book club participants attend the series 2)ratings received from individuals who purchase or are given a DVD and complete a one page evaluation form after viewing it 3)anecdotal summary information--written and stated 4) identified behavior change as a result of the information received. To date, 18 individuals representing 9 community-based organizations have been trained to faciliate video book clubs. It is estimated, based on feedback from trained facilitators, that a minimum of 175-250 individuals have experienced the Mastery of Aging Well series using a video Book Club approach. Thirteen DVDs (which became available in the late fall of 2010) have been sold and thirty have been given away as part of initial promotion. Written feedback forms have been received (N=10)that rate the DVD Learning Package on a 1-5 scale with 5 being "excellent" and 1 being "very poor" Ratings to date: Quality of the product has been consistently "5." Ease of product use averages "4.8." Usefulness of the study guide is "4.8." Usefulness of the informaiton provided on the study guide is consistently "5." Select comments from participants in the Option Two and Three approaches: "The DVDs are excellent, very informative and helpful" Lynne deVries, Elders in Action, Portland Oregon November,2010. "This course was just the kick in the pants I needed. It prompted me to eat differenlty and change some of my exercise habits." Robert Carlisle, Mastery of Aging Well enrollee Fall 2010. "Excellent information for our memebers--very well presented." Joyce DeMonnin, AARP Oregon Director of Public Outreach, Summer, 2010.
Publications
- S. Johnson (2009) Mastery of Aging Well 5-modules [On-line] Available at: http://outreach.oregonstate.edu/aging-well
- Johnson S. (2009). Impact of Lifestyle on Memory. Article eXtension,[On-line]. Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/Impact of Lifestyle on Memory.
- Johnson S.(2009). Recognizing Depression in an Older Adult. Article. eXtension, [On-line]. Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/Recognizing Depression in an Older Adult
- Johnson S. (2009) The Question of Food as Medicine. Article eXtension [On-line]. Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/The Question of Food as Medicine
- Johnson S. (2009). Take 10: A Caregiver Exercise Program. Article. eXtension, [On-line]. Available at: www.extension.org/pages/Take 10: A Caregiver Exercise Program
- Johnson S. (2009) Avoiding Medication Jeopardy. Article eXtension [On-line] Available at: http://www.extension.org/pages/Avoiding Medication Jeopardy
- S.Johnson(2010) Mastery of Aging Well: A Program for Healthy Living, DVD, Oregon State University Outreach & Engagement
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Oregon State University (Outreach and Engagement/Extension Service) launched the web-based, five-module "Mastery of Aging Well" series (http://outreach.oregonstate.edu/aging-well) on August 25, 2009. The extensively peer-reviewed modules are: 1) Memory Difficulties: Should I Be Worried 2) Depression in Later Life 3) Medication Jeopardy 4) Food as Medicine and 5) Physical Activity and Exercise in Later Life. Media attention has been strong and community responsiveness has continued to be highly positive. Mastery of Aging Well is co-branded and co-sponsored by AARP Oregon; AARP assisted with field testing the concepts and continues to be actively engaged in promoting the approach. The Mastery of Aging Well link receives 10-14 hits/day and continues to be used as part of a well-received "video book club" series in concert with Southern Oregon University's OLLI (Osher Learning Lifelong Learning Insitute). eXtension has included the Mastery modules on their Cargiving Community of Practice (COP)site and has recently added a pre-post evaluation for each module. As preferred by eXtension, an article about each of the five topics accompanies the link. Spanish translation of the materials is close to completion. The faculty interactive version of Mastery of Aging Well (Tier 2) is in the final stages of editing and field testing will follow. It includes imbedded videos and additional information about each topic. The Mastery of Aging Well course will be offered as non-credit distance-learning in the spring of 2010 with Sharon Johnson, P.I., as the instructor. In response to community preference, "Tier 3" has been modified and is now a 5-DVD package with study notes. It will be ready for release in February of 2010. PARTICIPANTS: This project was a collaborative, cross-disciplinary effort within Oregon State University's newly established Outreach and Engagement Program. The P.I. (Extension faculty serving two rural counties) worked closely with a seven-person faculty advisory team within the College of Health and Human Sciences composed of experts in gerontology, sociology, nutrition/food science, exercise physiology and evaluation. The OSU Center for Healthy Aging Research provided expertise and peer review. Web designers, instructional designers, a videogrpaher and marketing personnel provided on-campus technical support. A community-based sound technician/studio and a talent pool of rural-based older adults provided in-community expertise. AARP Oregon was constantly offering perspective and creating promotional opportunites. eXtension faculty across five states were a value-added element in assuring a quality product. TARGET AUDIENCES: THe original target audience was expanded to include older adults (50+) in mixed rural-urban areas and their family members and caregivers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This innovative approach to web-based learning for older adults has been available nationwide for five months. Evaluation information to date indicates highly rated "ease of use," "good credibility of information shared" as well as frequently reported "knowledge gains" and some early indications of behavior change. Evaluation information will continue to be automatically gathered via separate pre-post assessments incorporated into the OSU Mastery of Aging Well site and the eXtension site.
Publications
- http://outreach.oregonstate.edu/aging-well 2009
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