BluePrint Mini-Grants
Cabarrus County Department of Aging
Concord, North Carolina
Project Title: 30 Minutes for Life
Amount Funded: $23,920
About the Organization/Coalition:
The Cabarrus County Dept. of Aging serves over 5,000 older adults each
month through programs and services. In 1999, the Dept. of Aging recruited
partners to form a network of 28 community agencies that provide services
or programs to older adults in the county. From this network, an extensive
Information & Assistance program has been created to implement a thorough
needs assessment with older adults. Referrals are made to appropriate
agencies and collaborative projects are initiated to address the needs
of older adults.
Project Objectives:
The 30 Minutes for Life program is targeted to family caregivers who are
age 50+ in the Cabarrus County area. Participants will be encouraged to
exercise regularly for 30 minutes or more per day to improve health and
overall well-being. The objectives include:
- Recruit and train student interns from area schools and universities
to serve as program facilitators. Facilitators will meet with
participants monthly for support, education, and guidance.
- Provide education, respite, transportation, information & referral,
and other resources needed to allow caregivers to participate in
physical activities of choice. After receiving training, caregivers
can use the fitness equipment free of charge at various locations
around the county.
- Use standardized pre-and post-evaluations to help document progress
and provide encouragement.
- Work with Parks & Recreation Departments, Envision Cabarrus, Cabarrus
Metropolitan Planning Organization, Cabarrus County Transport Service,
the Cabarrus County Master Plan, and other agencies and businesses to
compile and publish a guide to available physical activity resources
and free or inexpensive fitness locations, such as trails and senior
centers.
- Develop and print log books to present to participants for documentation
and reinforcement of activities and progress.
- Schedule and implement educational sessions for caregivers on healthy
nutrition, exercise, disease management and prevention, stress management,
and other topics important for self-care.
Contact Information:
Michael Murphy
Cabarrus County Department of Aging
P.O. Box 707
Concord, NC 28026-0707
(704) 920-3484
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