The department encourages seniors to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles in order to prevent diseases and certain disabilities and to live a better, fuller life. The science of aging indicates that chronic disease and disability are not inevitable; therefore, health promotion, disease prevention, and injury prevention activities and programs are an increasing priority for older adults, their families, and the health care system. Promoting the healthy lifestyles of older people is vital in helping them to maintain health and functional independence and lead healthy and independent lives.
Click here to access the department's brochures to learn about ways to stay healthy and safe.
The people in a healthy community are safe, well informed, feel that they have the power to make choices, have lasting bonds with one another, have strong families, and a sense of meaning in their lives.
DISEASE PREVENTION
These programs target health conditions that plague older adults. Local partners develop and implement chronic disease self-management courses, chronic disease prevention courses such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, flu, osteoporosis, and stroke. Highly qualified trainers provide evidence-based chronic disease self-management courses to enable seniors to live fuller lives despite chronic illnesses.
Disease Prevention Related Information
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes
- Flu
- Osteoporosis
- Stroke
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HEALTH PROMOTION
The Department's Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program is implemented through Florida's 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). These programs target primary health conditions that plague older adults.
Local partners develop and implement workshops, seminars, and health screening opportunities for Florida's elders on a variety of health related topics. Health education programs are available to seniors and technical assistance and information are available to organizations that serve elders. The primary emphasis is in the areas of medication management, mental health, nutrition, oral health, physical fitness, and suicide prevention.
Health Promotion Related Information
- Medication Management
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Mental Health
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Nutrition
- Oral Health
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Physical Fitness
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Suicide
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Brochures
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INJURY PREVENTION
The department supports injury prevention and intervention programs that are designed to reach those at greatest risk of falling, through multiple-component and evidence-based prevention programs. The department also conducts the Florida Injury Prevention Program for Seniors (FLIPS) education and awareness initiative that focuses on preventing injuries from events such as falls, motor vehicle and pedestrian crashes, suicide, fires, and poisonings. The program raises the level of awareness of the injury burden on seniors, their families, and the public.
Injury Prevention Related Information
- Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian Crashes
- Falls
- Injuries and Violence
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PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
Many Americans fail to make the connection between undertaking healthy behaviors today and the impact of these choices later in life. The evidence is there in any hospital: half the cases that come in the door are rooted in behavior, another 30 percent in the safety of the environment. The following sites provide relevant information on the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles.
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Contact Us
For more information about the Health and Wellness Program, contact:
Michele Mulé
Department of Elder Affairs
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program
4040 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-7000
Phone: 850-414-2307
Fax: 850-414-2372
Or you may e-mail us at:
communities@elderaffairs.org
Please be sure to include your name, address, and phone number with your message.
Thank you!
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