Aging and health

Health is an important factor to consider when planning for the long-term success of the region. Healthy community design is associated with economic success, quality of life and community attractiveness for new employers and residents. Centralina has designed several evidence-based health programs to create opportunities for improved wellness, more physical activity and greater access to healthy foods.

Centralina is also an advocate for the more than two million older adults, ages 65+, residing in our region. Through planning, strategy development, coordination and service delivery, we provide a wide range of long-term services to support older adults and positively impact their social determinants of health.

OUR WORK

Dementia Friendly & Age-Friendly Planning

The Dementia Friendly Charlotte Mecklenburg (DFCM) initiative is led by Centralina to help educate and equip aging service professionals with the knowledge and skillset to support older adults. DFCM is part of a national network that helps communities by offering technical assistance, including a community toolkit, sector specific guidance and best practices synthesized from across the world.

Annual Planning for Healthy Communities Conference

This conference is an annual opportunity for those working at the intersection of planning and public health to gather and learn how best to partner to create healthy communities. Geared toward planners, public health officials and park and recreation professionals, this event covers a broad range of topics important to building healthy communities.

Healthy Food Access

Centralina works with neighborhood and business services to expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other food assistance programs to local farmers’ markets.

Annual Centralina Area Agency on Aging Conference

Every year Centralina organizes a networking and education opportunity that attracts around 400 professionals from throughout the state who want to learn about the latest older adult initiatives, best practices, innovative products and services.

Mobility Management

Centralina helps to coordinate transportation systems and enhance mobility options for older and disabled adults within our nine-county region.

Learn more by visiting the Centralina Mobility Management website.

Educating Businesses, the Public and Service Professionals

We offer educational and training opportunities to businesses, interested members of the community and health care professionals to inform and prepare them on how to support and interact with older adults. Our team is comprised of subject matter experts in a wide variety of topics and can design workshops to meet your specific needs. Our training topics include:

Individual and legislative advocacy
Issues related to the accessing and navigating long-term services and supports associated with older adults and those who care for them
Long-term care planning and placement options
Advance directives including living wills and health care power of attorney
Elder abuse prevention including scams and fraud
Aging sensitivity, communications and disability awareness
Dementia friendly certification
Creating senior friendly communities and businesses
LGBTQ “Pride in Care NC” cultural awareness
Chronic disease self-management
Falls safety and awareness

Learn more by visiting the Centralina Area Agency on Aging website.

Park and Trail Planning and Assessments

Trails, greenways and parks provide connections that tie communities together, link park and recreation opportunities and serve as transportation routes. Centralina helps communities build these systems by offering design guidelines and recommendations that can be incorporated into community plans.

Health & Wellness Workshops

We offer a variety of evidence-based health programs that have been proven to create positive health impacts for participants. Programs include Living Healthy with Diabetes, Chronic Pain in the Workplace, Building Better Caregivers and a Matter of Balance.

Learn more by visiting the Centralina Area Agency on Aging website.

Success Story

Dementia Friendly:

Increasing Awareness & Improving Quality of Life

Part of Centralina’s mission is to support older adults and those with disabilities, including dementia. One way we fulfill this mission is by leading an initiative called Dementia Friendly Charlotte Mecklenburg (DFCM) that seeks to increase awareness and enhance the lives of people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Through our dementia education sessions, Centralina has created over 500 Dementia Friends in the last two years. Dementia Friends are ambassadors that pledge to teach their communities about this illness, how to interact/communicate with those individuals and how to be a good community partner. In addition to education, we can also certify communities and businesses as “dementia friendly” and are currently in the pilot stages of certifying our first business. For more information on becoming a dementia friendly community or a Dementia Friend, contact the Centralina Area Agency on Aging.

Aging and Health Resources

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