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This approach is designed to provide freedom and flexibility with accountability; allowing subcommittees to determine the best ways to use the brand, educational opportunities and outreach to meet their specific recommendations. Health and Wellness The Health and Wellness Subcommittee includes representatives from County and city staff, senior participants, community partners and professionals in the health and wellness industry. The subcommittee identified target areas of focus to address the senior community. Of these, the most important areas of focus are identified as information about resources, including home -and community -based support services, nonprofit and private organizations, mental health topics, caregiver support, nutrition, physical activities and evidence -based programs that focus on healthcare. The subcommittee discussed and identified health and wellness challenges faced by older adults. They included an increasing number of seniors with chronic disease, lack of knowledge about how to manage chronic disease, decreased availability of caregivers, increased cost of healthcare, lack of knowledge about cultural sensitivity for treating a diverse community and lack of preventative health care. Boomers are healthier than previous generations of older adults; however, they continue to follow trends of becoming weaker and more susceptible to negative health outcomes as they advance in age. Service demands have changed from adapting to life with a chronic disease to early awareness and prevention of symptom exasperation. Evidence -based programs can relieve stress and provide manageable practices for addressing chronic disease. Health People 2020 indicates that limitations caused by illness, chronic disease or injury can decrease the ability to complete basic daily living activities and may not allow older adults to stay in their own home. The Health and Wellness Subcommittee used this information to develop three recommendations that address the challenges previously identified. The recommendations are to promote healthy living; create sensitivity training for medical providers, employees and community partners; and develop an active community initiative "Cabarrus County Walks." #1- Promote healthy living Behaviors, such as participation in physical activities, self management of chronic diseases and use of preventative health measures can improve health outcomes for older adults. To begin this process, the subcommittee recommends developing and administering a survey about health promotion programs. With this information, the subcommittee will determine the need of programs and types of programs. Second, develop additional support groups for caregivers that address concerns and challenges they face on a daily basis with the Aging Services Department of Cabarrus County. Third, offer evidenced -based programs on the topics of depression, stress, anxiety, balance, healthy lifestyle, exercise, falls prevention, 17.14 DRAFT Cabarrus County A in Strate is Plan Attachment number 1 F -5 Page 33