Family & Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences, which includes programming in Family Life, Family & Consumer Economics, and Nutrition and Wellness, has been delivered to residents throughout the two county area through partnerships with other agencies:

• Eight caregivers attended "Powerful Tools for Caregiving," a workshop series co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension and Mid-Illinois Senior Services. Participants were taught stress reduction techniques, positive communication methods and skills in decision making. 100% of those who completed evaluations agreed that they were more confident caregivers after taking the series, due to: "a more positive attitude; learned that self-care is important; not to feel guilty; and to prioritize." One caregiver added, "I enjoyed it so much I wanted to keep going."
• 29 lids and gauges were tested by Susan Stollard, Master Food Preserver, on Pressure Canner Testing Day held in June. Pressure canner lids with gauges should be tested annually for optimal safety in food preservation.
• 144 county residents participated in "Walk Around Illinois" - a program designed to motivate increased physical activity, particularly walking. Participants kept track of steps or miles in logbooks and submitted total amounts at the end of a designated 12-week period. Participants walked a total of 7,800 miles or 5.9 times around Illinois, with the top walker racking up 788 miles! This program was most beneficial to participants as evidenced by their comments: "I always enjoy the program and always like to hear how many times we walked around Illinois - I also enjoy reading all the information you send us; Great program; How's that for the "over 80" age group: I managed to lose 22 pounds - it was a blast; Thanks for all the helpful information you sent throughout the program; Thank you for your encouragement; This is a very good program to keep you motivated to walk - I look forward to it each year; It helped me to take my weight off 3 years ago and has helped motivate me to keep it off."