We recently shared The Patterson Foundation works with networks to strengthen communications and learning among the collaborating organizations. We are currently lending our strategic support to the National Council of Aging’s Self-Care Management Alliance (SMA), which is a vibrant tri-sector opportunity.
Led by Rick Birkel (richard.birkel@ncoa.org) and supported by Sarah Ruiz (sarah.ruiz@ncoa.org), government agencies, global for-profits and philanthropic foundations are working together to knit promising practices for those with multiple chronic conditions. With limited resources and unlimited nuances and behaviors, we as a nation can get ahead of the curve as we live longer.
Participating in a recent conversation were:
Gretchen Alkema, The SCAN Foundation
Anne Marie Bourisquot King, Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Terry Brady, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Peggy Haynes, Maine Health
Debra Jacobs, The Patterson Foundation
Roxanne Joffe, Strategic Communications Lead, The Patterson Foundation
Terry Pedone, Sanofi
Rick Birkel, National Council on Aging
Joe Caldwell, National Council on Aging
Brian Hofland, National Council on Aging
Sarah Ruiz, National Council on Aging
Gretchen Alkema Ph.D, VP of The SCAN Foundation, shared some of the results of the foundation’s research behind their Aging with Dignity and Independence work. They created a “word cloud”, a visual representation of the words that emerged from research. The word cloud spotlights the connectivity of themes and the relative frequency of individual words. This word cloud reminds us that older adults want to be active, healthy and connected with others.
This conversation led to each of the participants sharing glimpses into their research and work. What a treasure-trove of information! We agreed that we will be well-served by mapping what is already known, so we build upon experience for messaging that will resonate. If you have developed messaging about self-care management and would like to learn more about this movement for collective impact, please contact Sarah Ruiz – sarah.ruiz@ncoa.org
Self- care management is by necessity a product of a message or information that has been internalized about how to effectively take care of one’s self as one ages. It is essential that older adults become more participatory in their own health care in the areas of prevention as well as maintainence. Frequently, issues relating to literacy as well as mistrust of provider motive in addition to tradition or old habits can be a barriers to older individuals embracing and implementing a more holistic lifestyle which includes matters of the spirit, social connection, attention to eating habits geared toward what we now know about aging well (healty aging)and sustained physical movement. In other words we must learn to engage older adults in ways which will stimulate their minds and souls in such a way that will cause them to break with old ideas and motivate them to try something new.
Patricia,you are correct in stating that self-care management is a product of a message or information which has been internalized. The question and/or challenge becomes, “What types of messages/information resonate to a level of creating internalization and then action? This is a question to be answered throughout the SMA initiative and one in which all participants are acutely aware.