Health and Wellness Program

The Department encourages seniors to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles 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 public safety 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. View Communities for a Lifetime Health & Wellness Fact Sheet.

The Department administers funds allocated under the federal Older Americans Act (Title III D – Preventive Health Services, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Programs) to provide preventive health services to seniors. The Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Wellness and Public Safety (Injury Prevention) programs are implemented through contracts with Florida’s eleven Area Agencies on Aging. These programs target primary conditions that affect the elderly.

Health Promotion and Wellness Initiatives include evidence-based programs, disease prevention seminars and physical activities. Other initiatives include health workshops/seminars, health fairs and health screening opportunities. Initiatives are developed and conducted to educate seniors and their caregivers, to deliver effective interventions to make a noticeable difference in elders’ health and well-being, and to increase awareness about issues related to the health of elder Floridians.

Health Promotion and Wellness Initiatives offer a variety of activities including:

• gerontological counseling,
• mental health counseling and screening,
• evidence-based health promotion programs,
• disease information (e.g. Diabetes, arthritis, cancer education sessions),
• health promotion,
• health risk assessment,
• health risk screening (e.g. Osteoporosis screenings, glucose screening, etc.),
• home injury control (falls prevention initiatives),
• medication management,
• nutrition counseling, and
• physical fitness programs.

Click on the links provided on the left to learn more about the programs and services that the Department provides.

Contact Us

For more information about the Health and Wellness Program, contact:

Department of Elder Affairs
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Unit
4040 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-7000
Phone: 850-414-2000
Fax: 850-414-2372

Or you may email us at information@elderaffairs.org. Please be sure to include your name, address, and phone number with your message.