Paula J. Carter Center on Health and Aging

The Paula J. Carter Center on Health and Aging (PJCCHA) improves the quality of life for Missouri's aging population by promoting health literacy and positive health behaviors in order to improve access to health-related care. The Center provides leadership in addressing the health, social and psychological needs of people in Missouri aged 55 and over. This is accomplished through education, research-based information, policy analysis and the use of technology as strategic tools.

Health and Aging

Missouri ranks 17th in the nation in the percentage of older adults age 65 years or older, according to the 2010 Missouri Census. Research shows that a significant percentage of these older adults have poorer standards of living and less access to professional health care than the general population. As such, PJCCHA was created in conjunction with several state agencies to

• provide education, training and research information on health and aging; 

• provide technical assistance on aging issues and disseminate relevant information to Missouri audiences; 

• develop innovative community-based demonstration programs that enhance the quality of life for Missouri's elders.

Activities/Initiatives

The center works to broaden access to education through community outreach. The center's programming includes:

• The Health and Resource Information Service provides information on disease symptoms, management, prevention and healthy lifestyles, exercise, nutrition and community resources. To view past issues of the Healthy Aging newsletters, click here.
• Missouri Institute on Meaningful Aging (MIMA) is a forum to provide professional development to prepare lay leaders with skills, tools, and knowledge to use while working in their communities. MIMA includes educational presentations, which cover a variety of topics such as chronic disease self-management, strategies for the delivery of health care information and programs and current research and data on mental and physical health issues impacting older individuals.
• The Lunch and Learn Series promotes the practice of healthy decision-making. It provides best practices for communities to consider as their population ages, including the dissemination of information on federal, state and community resources. The series includes topics on health care, nutrition, exercise, transportation, public safety, emergency services, housing, taxation and finance, workforce development, civic engagement/volunteer opportunities and aging/human services.
• The Senior Lay Leaders’ Program is a vehicle for extending the reach of the center to local communities by engaging seniors who express interest in learning and teaching. Lay leaders participate in programs and have the opportunity to provide leadership to the programmatic efforts for seniors in their communities. They are expected to promote the PJCCHA and to encourage seniors in their individual circles to participate in the activities of the center and other extension programs. Opportunities are provided for some to receive training on special topics and how to coalesce senior groups in their area.
• Technology Advocacy promotes the use of technology as a strategic tool for delivering information and services to our audience through conferencing capabilities. The Center has the ability to provide two-way audio and visual teleconferencing for distance learning and training programs via LUCE. Each one of our satellite offices has a computer lab that can be accessed by seniors. The PJCCHA home office in Jefferson City has recently created a computer laboratory for seniors who are working at a beginner's level.

PJCCHA STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY BOARD

The center has an advisory board to assist in determining annual priorities as they relate to health and aging issues and to provide community-based feedback.  The board is comprised of the following organizations and individuals:

• St. Louis Housing Authority - St. Louis, Missouri
• Former State Representative - St. Louis, Missouri
• Medicare Education, AARP, CSN Programs, Caregiving and Health - Washington, D.C.
• Central Missouri Home Health - Jefferson City, Missouri
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Minority Health and Health Equity - Jefferson City, Missouri
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Cancer and Chronic Diseases - Jefferson City, Missouri
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Senior Programs, Divisions of Senior and Disability Services - Jefferson City, Missouri
• Missouri Office of Prosecution Services (Victims’ Rights) - Jefferson City, Missouri
• Retired Pharmacist/Consultant - Columbia, Missouri
• Retired Health Educator, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Jefferson City, Missouri
• Columbia Public School District - Columbia, Missouri (Retired Educator)
• St. Louis Public School District - St. Louis, Missouri (Retired Educator)
• Caterpillar, Inc. - Fulton, Missouri (Retired Engineer)
• Three senior community members from Columbia, Fulton and St. Louis