Visit the current activities page of the initiative website for complete details on each work group.

Physical Activity and Nutrition Work Group

The Physical Activity and Nutrition work group is addressing the issue of health and wellness, the benefits of illness prevention, access to healthy food choices, and the need for programs and policies to support choices and activities that ensure elders remain healthy and active as long as possible. The work group is co-chaired by Margaret Biersack and Tom Oosterbaan and is expected to finish their recommendations shortly. Click here for more information.

Access to Health Care Work Group

Co-chaired by Paul Ippel and Teresa Branson, the Access to Health Care work group is wrapping up their work. The group is addressing the issue of unmet mental and physical health needs, use of screening and basic medical care, and financial issues related to medications, in order to ensure elders are healthy and their quality of life is enhanced. Click here for more information.

CCFL Meeting Dates

For a complete listing of all upcoming CCFL meeting dates click here.

Learning Opportunities

Click here for a listing of upcoming forums and conferences throughout the region. The listing includes an invitation to the Michigan Elder Friendly Community State Assembly which will include a presentation on the CCFL!

2005 CCFL Community Forum: The Bonus Years and the Community Response to Aging Issues

Thanks to the longevity revolution that has added ãbonus yearsä of good health and life to the average lifespan, we now have an opportunity for a new stage of growth, development and change. This was the message from health and aging expert Abigail Trafford, the keynote speaker at this yearâs Creating Community for a Lifetime (CCFL) Forum on October 7. ãItâs a time of gearing up, of regeneration÷not decline and retirement,ä Trafford told the 250+ participants.

In addition to Traffordâs keynote address, the community forum featured updates on CCFLâs local planning activities around aging issues ö including recommendations from four of its workgroups. The Grand Rapids Community Foundation also announced plans to invest up to $250,000 in the next two years in projects aimed at increasing volunteerism and employment among older adults in Kent County. Click here for the full story.

Putting the ãBonus Yearsä to Work: CCFL Social and Civic Engagement Work Group Points the Way

How can we in Kent County prepare to make the most of the talents and capabilities of the increasing numbers of people approaching their bonus years? Thatâs what the Creating Community for a Lifetime social and civic engagement work group has been studying ö and they offered a roadmap in the recommendations they released at this yearâs Forum.

The work group focused much of its attention on the need to strengthen the local social and civic engagement infrastructure ö by improving access to information, strengthening organizational capacity to address the needs and preferences of older adults, and providing opportunities for adults beyond mid-life to make substantive contributions to their communities. Click here for the full story.