Helping the People We Serve Stay Healthy
Unfortunately, according to the CDC, people with disabilities often are at greater risk for health problems.
- Some of these other health conditions, often referred to as secondary conditions, include:
- Bowel or bladder problems
- Fatigue
- Injury
- Mental health and depression
- Overweight and obesity
- Pain
- Pressure sores or ulcers
At Evergreen, we know that staying healthy is important for everyone, and that helping the people we serve stay well enables them to live full, active, and independent lives. It also helps them remain active members of their communities.
People with disabilities often are at greater risk for health problems. Having a specific type of disability, such as a spinal cord injury, spina bifida, or multiple sclerosis, can lead to other physical or mental health conditions.
The good news is that many of these secondary health conditions can be prevented with support, information, encouragement, and care.
For many people with disabilities, health problems such as diabetes and heart disease can often be prevented or controlled through a healthy diet. It can also help reduce pain and depression.
That’s why we encourage the people we serve to make healthy eating choices to help them prevent illness. In our Community-Based Homes, we work alongside individuals to teach them cooking skills. We also provide transportation and help them select healthy foods while grocery shopping. At Evergreen’s 16 Day Programs, one of the fun activities we offer are healthy cooking lessons. In these sessions, we teach kitchen safety and share tips on how to cook healthy meals. It’s all part of our mission to help the individuals we serve live as independently as possible, and preparing their own meals is just one way to accomplish this.
Of course if your loved one has a medical condition, we will help them keep track of their physician visits, facilitate transportation, and work with them to follow their healthcare provider’s instructions.
To learn more about how you can help support Evergreen Life Services and enrich the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, contact us today!