Disease Prevention & Wellness

The local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) offer programs that help older adults maximize their health. There is a focus on evidence-based programs, which have been documented through extensive research, to improve health outcomes.

Wellness classes offered by the AAAs may be in person, virtual or associated with a senior center or congregate meal site. Some of the most common programs AAAs may offer are: Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP), Bingocize, and A Matter of Balance. Contact your local AAA for more information about disease prevention and wellness opportunities.

Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP)

Older adults and people with disabilities are more likely to deal with ongoing health problems. In fact, the CDC says that about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition.

People with disabilities face more daily challenges — they average nine days a month where health issues limit what they can do, which is four times more than people without disabilities.

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, created by Stanford University, is a six-week workshop that gives people helpful tools to take control of their health.

Studies show that people who take the workshop feel better, have more energy, move more, feel less pain, and enjoy better mental health. They also say they work better with their doctors and feel more confident managing their health.

To get started, contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). 

Bingocize ®

This class strategically combines the game of bingo, exercise, and/or health education. Groups of participants play Bingocize® twice per week, with each 45-60 minute session consisting of exercises (range of motion, balance, muscle strengthening, and endurance exercises) and/or health education questions.

To try it out, contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). 

A Matter of Balance 

Many older adults fear falling. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. 

A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among older adults. The program includes eight two-hour classes presented to a small group of participants led by trained coaches.

The program enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity levels, making small changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. 

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). 

Virginia Arthritis and Falls Prevention Coalition 

Virginia’s Arthritis and Falls Prevention Coalition works to increase awareness of fall risk factors, promote access to fall prevention interventions, and empower older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers to engage in activities to reduce the risk and incidence of falls.

For more information and to join, visit the Virginia Department of Health website or contact Karen Day at Karen.Day@vdh.virginia.gov.