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Normal, June 7, 2002 ---The elderly population is growing. Having doubled three times since 1900, It is expected to double again within 50 years. A growing generation of elderly adults means a greater demand for policies, programs and services to meet their needs. Already evident are increased needs for programs that address home care, the law, health and financial security for America’s senior population.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs unit has partnered with the state of Alabama’s Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry to deliver "train the trainer" programs designed to address issues relevant to aging, dementia and associated health, financial and legal education. These collaborative efforts are called the Successful Aging Initiative.

The Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry, established by the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, seeks to develop a range of care services for elderly patients who suffer from mental illness and dementia. Currently, the bureau provides community-based and short- and long-term mental health services to people over 65.

Existing Extension projects parallel the goals and objectives of the Bureau. For example, aspects of the LegalEase program target the aging population, as does Extension’s health education initiatives for underserved populations and the Urban Family Network.

The LegalEase program empowers citizens to make sound decisions through real life, practical legal education and resources. In regard to the Successful Aging Initiative, this program will specifically address elder law. Although elder law is not a separate body of laws, it does address legal issues ranging from estate planning to the long-term care of elderly citizens.

The health initiatives and the Urban Family Network offer wellness and resource management programs that target senior citizens and their caregivers, limited resource families in the inner cities and multicultural groups at risk of nutritional deficiency and high-risk diseases. Health and nutritional information for elders will be developed along with resource management material on retirement planning.

"This is a very timely initiative due to the Enron situation that brought financial planning to the forefront. The Successful Aging Initiative is a good programming platform to promote the national agenda to establish financial security in later life," says Urban Financial Resource Specialist Dr. Bernice Wilson.

Attorney Kevin Crenshaw, legal consultant and coordinator of the Successful Aging Initiative, believes the partnership has tremendous potential for reaching some of the state’s hard-to-reach citizens with the technical knowledge they need to live fuller and healthier lives. "Extension’s programs come together to create a logical and workable relationship between the parties involved," Crenshaw says.

The Successful Aging Initiative supports a mutually beneficial agenda to better serve the aging population in Alabama. Dr. Richard Powers, director of the Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry, says, "We are very supportive of Extension efforts to aid Alabama’s older citizens and look forward to a successful partnership."

The kick-off for the initiative is set for late August through the Madison County Urban Center and the faith-based community. Additional information will be forwarded to Extension county offices across the state this summer.