Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season!

While festivities with loved ones are fun, they can also bring stress, expectations, and extra responsibilities. Focus on "what matters most" for optimal health for you and loved ones during the holidays and year ahead.

9 Tips for Self-Care

If the holidays bring up mixed emotions, you’re not alone! Discover tips for taking care of yourself during the holidays, like journaling, volunteering, and asking for help when you need it.

LEARN MORE

An elderly person holding a cane with a younger hand offering support_ symbolizing assistance and stability for senior citizens.

Navigating Grief

Many of us experience grief during the holidays. Planning ahead, being flexible with traditions, and incorporating rituals to honor loved ones can help.

TIPS

Source: National Council on Aging: Insights for Grantees - December 2025

Chronic Disease Self-Management for Older Adults

According to national data, over 90% of older adults (>65 yrs.) have at least one chronic disease condition, including depression, and anxiety. We are pleased to announce that in September 2025, Education Health & Research International (EHRI) was one of only 4 national federal awardees to provide statewide chronic disease management self education for those suffering from chronic conditions affecting both physical and mental health.

Evidence-based programs are six-weeks in duration (1/per wk), open to all ages, at no cost, and provide practical information to build self-management skills, enhance quality of life, and promote independence for continued community dwelling. Please contact EHRI if you are interested in hosting a workshop at your location. The 2026 schedule is being formed now.

The GWEP-CC Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) Action Community is a learning community for all GWEPs and their partners to work towards achieving Age-Friendly recognition. To date,

-86 sites representing 19 GWEPs have earned Level 1 Recognition;

-28 sites partnering with 13 GWEPs have earned Level 2 Recognition.

Let's get Delaware sites on the map. Please join the American Geriatric Society led, GWEP Action Community for the first coaching call of 2026. The February 12 at 3pm ET will be discussing Getting Started with the 4Ms.

You can register to participate here. Pre-work for that call is to watch the pre-recorded team webinar which can be found here or to review the slide set for this topic which can be found here. Any difficulties with registration please contact me.

GWEP Lunch* & Learn

Milford Wellness Village

Thursday JAN 29, 2026 12:00-2:00 p.m.

JOIN US for a lunchtime presentation to delve into the Advance Care Planning aspect of "4Ms/What Matters"; what it entails, how to broach it with clients and/or loved ones, the possible implications of NOT addressing it, and discussion on the approaches taken by service organizations.

12:00pm-

Grab a Boxed Lunch

12:15pm -1:00pm-

GWEP EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU

2026 GWEP EDUCATIONAL FOCUS AREAS

Please share with colleagues, friends, and family interested in the effort to make the 1st State the "Age-Friendliest" State. If you have comments, interest areas, and/or items of interest to share, please contact us.

-HELP BUILD DELAWARE MOMENTUM-

SHARE YOUR IDEAS

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

in partnership with

EDUCATION HEALTH & RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U1QHP53035-01-00 Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program for $5,000,000, and the Administration for Community Living grant #90CSSG0072-01-00. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.