Healthy aging includes physical, mental and social well-being.
To support healthy aging, people need safe physical environments and community policies that support health and well-being, as well as effective community programs and health services to prevent or reduce the effects of disease.
ResourcesAge and dementia-friendly communitiesDepression and anxiety
Regulatory authority
Title III-D of the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) was established in 1987. It provides grants to states based on their share of the population age 60+ for evidence-based programs that support healthy lifestyles and promote healthy behaviors. Evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion programs reduce the need for more costly medical interventions. Priority is given to serving older adults in medically underserved areas of the state and those who are of greatest economic need.
Program standards
These standards provide an overview of the program purpose, federal funding requirements and expectations for health promotion provided by Oregon's Area Agencies on Aging:
Healthy aging resources
Age and dementia-friendly communities
As people stay healthy and live longer lives, communities must adapt, helping to support health, ensure access to services and provide support to people of all ages. Age-friendly communities, livable communities, communities for all ages, dementia-friendly communities and other similar efforts work to engage organizations, businesses, individuals and governments in addressing the built and social environments to help ensure that communities provide good places to grow up and grow older.
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Dementia Friendly America - Resources, guides, and links to national network of communities and organizations aimed at supporting people with living with dementia and their caregivers.
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Oregon Dementia Roadmap - A guide for caregivers and people living with dementia at various stages of the disease.
- Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures - Updated annually by the national Alzheimer’s Association, this report provides national data on Alzheimer's disease prevalence, costs, and related caregiving impacts
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Healthy Brain Initiative and Roadmap - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Road Map identifies roles for state and local public health agencies in addressing Alzheimer's disease.
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ACT on Alzheimer's - Minnesota's ACT on Alzheimer's website provides tools and resources for engaging nonprofit, governmental, and private partners at the community and state level.
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Washington State's Dementia Action Collaborative - Established in 2016 as a public-private partnership to prepare Washington state to address dementia.
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Wisconsin's Building Dementia-Friendly Communities – Wisconsin Department of Health Services developed a Toolkit for Building Dementia-Friendly Communities, as well as other resources for community partners.
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Dementia Australia - Funded by the Australian government, Dementia-Friendly Communities encourages communities and organizations to adopt policies and strategies to support individuals and families impacted by dementia.
Addressing depression and anxiety
Older adults and people with disabilities living in the community may experience a disruption in their lives due to depression or anxiety. In 2014, the Oregon Legislature approved funding to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions that provide skills and training to enable older adults and people with disabilities living in the community to more successfully manage and reduce depression, anxiety or substance use. The funding and programs are aimed at early intervention, reaching people at mild to moderate stages who are not already accessing behavioral health services. Funding is distributed through AAAs and CILs that make up Oregon's Aging and Disability Resource Connection.
Sample materials used by Oregon AAAs and CILs to promote and implement their programs.
Promotional materials
Referral forms