Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging

November/December 2026

In This Issue:

•Supporting Healthy Aging Habits

•Age Well Series

•Staying Connected

•A New Way to Think About Aging

•Aging Advocacy 101

•Your Support

•Featured Program

•Find a Workshop

Supporting Healthy Aging Habits

Creating Opportunities to Thrive at Every Stage of Life

September was Healthy Aging Month—an opportunity to reflect on what healthy aging means and how we can support health and well-being throughout the lifespan. As we carry that conversation forward, it’s also an opportunity to consider how the assumptions we encounter about growing older can shape people’s experiences, opportunities, and well-being. Aging is a lifelong process that looks different for everyone, and no single age defines a person’s health, abilities, interests, or capacity to contribute.

Taking a broader view of aging means recognizing people as individuals rather than basing our understanding of their needs simply on how old they are. Health, well-being, connection, and participation can take different forms over time, and people can continue to learn, grow, build relationships, and meaningfully contribute to their families, communities, and society throughout their lives. People of all ages and abilities can also build habits that support lifelong healthy aging, like:

• Staying physically active in ways that work for them
• Eating a healthy diet, including plenty of whole, nutrient-dense foods
• Maintaining supportive relationships with friends, family, and others in their communities
• Playing an active role in decisions about their health and health care

>Read More

Staying Connected Helps Us Age Well

November 8-14 is Social Connection Awareness Week!

As we get older, our lives can change. We may retire, move to a new home, lose someone we love, or spend less time with coworkers and friends. These changes can sometimes make it harder to stay connected with others. 

But staying connected is an important part of aging well. 

Social connection means having people in our lives who make us feel cared for, supported, and included. This can be family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, volunteers, or people we meet through shared interests. 

Connection is good for our health 

Spending time with others can help us feel happier and less alone. It can also give us a sense of purpose and belonging. Staying connected may help us stay active, learn new things, and cope with life's ups and downs.

 

Even small moments of connection can make a difference. A phone call with a friend, a chat with a neighbor, joining a class, or sharing a meal with others can help us feel connected.

>Read More

A New Way to Think About Aging

Aging is a natural part of life. Yet, we often hear messages that make getting older sound like something to fear or avoid. These ideas can shape how we think about ourselves, our families, and our communities. 

What if we looked at aging in a different way? 

Reframing aging means changing the way we talk about and think about growing older. It does not mean ignoring the challenges that can come with aging. Instead, it means telling a fuller story—one that recognizes the strengths, experience, and contributions of older adults. 

Aging is more than a number 

People do not all experience aging in the same way. Many older adults continue to work, volunteer, care for family members, learn new skills, and contribute to their communities. 

At the same time, some people face barriers that can make it harder to stay healthy and involved. These may include limited transportation, high housing costs, lack of access to health care, or physical and social barriers. 

When we talk about aging, it is important to focus on both the challenges people may face and the opportunities to create communities where everyone can thrive. 

Changing the conversation 

The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA) is working across Wisconsin to help change the way we talk about aging and disability. 

Through our Reframing Aging & Disability work, WIHA helps organizations and communities use language and messages that show older adults and people with disabilities as valued members of our communities. The goal is to move away from stereotypes and toward a more complete picture of people's lives. 

>Read More

Featured Program:

Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder

Research: Mind Over Matter was researched and shown to improve bladder leakage symptoms in 71% and improve bowel leakage in 55% of participants. In addition, the program may decrease the reliance on incontinence-related products, medications, and even surgeries.  

Who is it for: Mind Over Matter was designed to help women over 50 build the skills and confidence they need to prevent or improve incontinence symptoms.  

>Read More

Age Well Series

Watch the recordings of recent events here:

Upcoming Events:

Aging Advocacy 101

The Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network is pleased to offer Advocacy 101 Trainings.

There are three opportunities in November and December for older adults and family caregivers to learn the basics of advocacy, practice skills with other participants, and learn how to engage policymakers.

Learn more and register at gwaar.org/aging-advocacy-101.

These are FREE and open to the public.

Your Support Helps People Thrive at Every Age

At WIHA, we work with organizations across the state to offer programs empowering people across Wisconsin to prevent falls, manage chronic conditions, and take charge of their well-being.

But we can’t do it without you. 

Your gift helps us reach more communities with life-changing workshops and resources. It means one more grandmother stays on her feet, one more neighbor learns to manage their diabetes with confidence, one more person finds connection and purpose.

When you give to WIHA, you're not just making a donation — you're investing in a healthier future for all of us as we age. 

Will you join us in building a stronger, healthier Wisconsin? 

Make your gift today and be a part of the movement for healthy aging. 



Thank you for being a friend to WIHA and a champion for healthy aging! 

Find a Workshop

Take charge of your health by taking a WIHA workshop. We offer in-person and virtual (online or by phone) programs through a network of program providers across Wisconsin. Getting started is easy – simply click the link below.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Make a gift to WIHA today!

We’re aging. All of us. And it’s up to each of us to take good care of ourselves and our health as we age. That’s where we come in. We’re here to help people help themselves to better health. But we can’t do it alone! As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we operate on grants and contributions from generous donors and partners. Your support is vital to us as we administer programs and promote practices that encourage good health. With your donation we can serve older adults in the best possible way to increase the quality of their lives. We thank you so much for being a part of our network!

Healthy People 2030 Champion is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Used with permission. Participation by WIHA does not imply endorsement by HHS/ODPHP.