Laserfiche WebLink
This approach is designed to provide freedom and flexibility with accountability; allowing <br />subcommittees to determine the best ways to use the brand, educational opportunities and <br />outreach to meet their specific recommendations. <br />Health and Wellness <br />The Health and Wellness Subcommittee includes representatives from County and city staff, <br />senior participants, community partners and professionals in the health and wellness industry. <br />The subcommittee identified target areas of focus to address the senior community. Of these, <br />the most important areas of focus are identified as information about resources, including <br />home -and community -based support services, nonprofit and private organizations, mental <br />health topics, caregiver support, nutrition, physical activities and evidence -based programs <br />that focus on healthcare. <br />The subcommittee discussed and identified health and wellness challenges faced by older <br />adults. They included an increasing number of seniors with chronic disease, lack of knowledge <br />about how to manage chronic disease, decreased availability of caregivers, increased cost of <br />healthcare, lack of knowledge about cultural sensitivity for treating a diverse community and <br />lack of preventative health care. <br />Boomers are healthier than previous generations of older adults; however, they continue to <br />follow trends of becoming weaker and more susceptible to negative health outcomes as they <br />advance in age. Service demands have changed from adapting to life with a chronic disease to <br />early awareness and prevention of symptom exasperation. Evidence -based programs can <br />relieve stress and provide manageable practices for addressing chronic disease. Health <br />People 2020 indicates that limitations caused by illness, chronic disease or injury can <br />decrease the ability to complete basic daily living activities and may not allow older adults to <br />stay in their own home. <br />The Health and Wellness Subcommittee used this information to develop three <br />recommendations that address the challenges previously identified. The recommendations are <br />to promote healthy living; create sensitivity training for medical providers, employees and <br />community partners; and develop an active community initiative "Cabarrus County Walks." <br />#1- Promote healthy living <br />Behaviors, such as participation in physical activities, self management of chronic diseases <br />and use of preventative health measures can improve health outcomes for older adults. To <br />begin this process, the subcommittee recommends developing and administering a survey <br />about health promotion programs. With this information, the subcommittee will determine the <br />need of programs and types of programs. Second, develop additional support groups for <br />caregivers that address concerns and challenges they face on a daily basis with the Aging <br />Services Department of Cabarrus County. Third, offer evidenced -based programs on the <br />topics of depression, stress, anxiety, balance, healthy lifestyle, exercise, falls prevention, <br />3.17.14 DRAFT Cabarrus County Aging Strategic Plan <br />Attachment number 1 <br />F -5 Page 98 <br />