Monday, October 24, 2011

Health Wellness Recreation Livable Communities

Partners for livable communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have established core components planners can focus on to make the city a place where people want to grow old . The first core component is Health, Wellness and Recreation. This involves:

Seniors have access to health care options that meet a variety of needs. County planners foster the development of services that can support (http://www.homecarepath.com/) the ability of seniors to best utilize the medical system.

Preventive screenings (blood pressure, mammograms) are provided free of charge in accessible locations.

Nutritional classes for specific health related needs are provided.

Informational workshops for insurance and financial services are provided by independent consultants.

Communal events that include food and fun are hosted at recreation or elder centers.

Seniors have access to in home staff who can prepare meals (http://www.homecarepath.com/) or home delivered meals.

Seniors have access to exercise and wellness programs tailored to disease specific needs like heart disease or diabetes.

Local parks and other exercise venues are accessible through multiple modes of transportation.

The reccurring theme is options (several providers of service), access (valid pay source), ability to get there (transportation), and connectedness. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates elder home care assistants who help with meals, grocery shopping, dressing, bath set up, medication reminders, light housekeeping, plant care, scheduled toileting, memory loss, sorting mail, reading books, pet care and more. The focus is on supporting the seniors strengths to maintain independence and keep them safely at home.

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