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P a g e
Coordinated systems of health care will improve access and the quality of care, particularly for
seniors with multiple chronic conditions. Emphasis on prevention and wellness are integral to
helping seniors achieve optimal health.
Action Item 3.1 – Improve Older Adult Wellness and Preventive Health Care:
The
scientific evidence points to the importance of management of chronic illnesses and preventive
approaches to health care.
Foster opportunities for coordination of care and care innovations in the delivery of
health care to older adults, including partnerships among individuals, faith based
organizations, private insurers, health care, employers, government, and other
community organizations.
Implement prevention programs and evidence-based lifestyle change programs for
people at high risk for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Develop programs for long term management of chronic medical conditions using
coordination of care models as well as emerging technology. Reduce barriers such as
transportation and financial limitations.
Collaborate across the community in improving the delivery of services to individuals, as
well as advocating for policy changes that take a prevention approach to improving the
health of populations (e.g., walkable neighborhoods, access to fresh, nutritious foods).
Develop programs that create connections with older persons to identify early warnings
of problems, particularly for persons who live alone or are home bound.
Implement fall prevention programs across the community including education, home
safety checklists, T’ai Chi or other workshops to help seniors with balance and fall
prevention, and medication review programs to identify potential medication issues
which may lead to confusion or balance issues.
Action Item 3.2 – Support the Availability of a Highly Trained Health Care Work Force:
With the growing older population, the need for health care workers of all types will significantly
expand.
Consider the health care workforce development needs in the secondary school
educational curriculum.
Create linkages as appropriate between workforce development, health care
entrepreneurism, and economic development.
Encourage the implementation of health care workforce education and training
programs within the community through public and private educational initiatives.
Reduce barriers to health care workforce employee retention, i.e. transportation,
financial, living wages.
Action Item 3.3 – Engage the community in Advance Care Planning.
Work with the
Advance Care Planning Coalition of Eastern Virginia to roll out the
As You Wish
Program.
