Extension aims to help older adults stay healthy amid COVID-19 – Nevada Today

The aging population has been particularly at risk since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted earlier this year. Natalie Mazzullo, University of Nevada, Reno Extension healthy-aging specialist, has been helping to create a safe and engaging environment for homebound seniors in Nevada.

Mazzullo serves as an action team member for the states Nevada COVID-19 Aging Network Rapid Response Team, known as Nevada CAN. She is a member of both the social service action team and the food and medication action team. Nevada CAN is focused on maintaining the quality of life for the 454,221 homebound elders in Nevada. Keeping elders safe from exposure to the virus, while ensuring they are well-supplied, have access to medical and social services, and remain free from isolation are the top priorities.

I am honored to be part of the Nevada CAN action teams to assist Nevadas elders with social engagement, and food and medication, Mazzullo said. As a result of Nevada CAN and the efforts of so many compassionate and caring professionals and volunteers, Nevada elders have had the opportunity to become connected with much-needed services.

As part of the action teams response, Mazzullo helped to coordinate Extensions support to provide information on where elders in need could access food in Nevadas rural communities. In addition, Extension county educators helped to identify volunteers to assist with food delivery, including volunteers from Extensions 4-H Youth Development Program.

Year-round, Mazzullo and Extensions healthy-aging team assist in the successful development of action plans that promote access and appeal around nutrition and physical activity that is uniquely tailored to the needs of communities where elders live and congregate. Since April, Extensions healthy-aging team has worked to ensure that some of the most vulnerable and needy elders still have access to resources and activities to aid in their well-being, despite the ongoing pandemic. The team has:

Mazzullo also serves as the assistant director for the Sanford Center for Agings Nevada Geriatric Education Center at the University. In that capacity, she provides educational offerings for health professionals and eldercare partners. In October 2019, she was appointed by Gov. Steve Sisolak to the Governors Commission on Aging. The mission of theCommission is to facilitate and enhance the quality of life and services for allNevadaseniors in partnership with theAgingand Disability Services Division and other entities.

Mazzullo sits on various other committees, including the Aging and Disability Services Divisions Caregiver Conference Planning Committee and Three Squares Senior Hunger Program Steering Committee. She also provides direct oversight for the Nevada Healthy Aging Alliance, currently focusing on SNAP-funded nutrition; physical activity; and policy, systems and environmental initiatives.

For more information on Extension's programs to promote healthy aging, email Natalie Mazzullo.

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Extension aims to help older adults stay healthy amid COVID-19 - Nevada Today