Adult Health

All people achieve a better quality of life when life is balanced.  Included in that balance is physical, mental and social needs.  Multiple factors influence health—not only doctors and hospitals, but also nonmedical factors such as socioeconomic status, education, income, social support, genetics and the physical environment.  People report feeling better when they are able to participate in opportunities to learn, to be employed, to be involved in civic, as well as social and leisure activities.  When people feel healthy and satisfied with the content of their lives, complaints of fatigue, pain, and emotional distress are lessened.

Health, or the lack thereof, can seriously impact one’s quality of life and ability to participate in activities.  By educating and role modeling, we encourage individuals to make personal choices.  By increasing knowledge about healthy behaviors and healthy lifestyles, informed personal choices can lead to improved well being and the prevention of disease.

We strive to increase the span of healthy lives, reduce health disparities and achieve access to preventative services.  By defining goals and objectives we are moving toward clinical and systems improvements throughout the Arc.

Some of the goals toward which we are working are:

• Increased physical activity
• Reduced occurrences of overweight and  obesity
• Improved environmental quality
• Reduced injury
• Improved access to healthcare
• Reduced stigma around mental health issues
• Encourage immunizations
• Reduced tobacco use
• Reduced substance abuse
• Promote responsible behavior
• Encourage heart healthy portion controlled meals
• Improved knowledge of health and wellness management