Staying healthy is important regardless of your age, your level of ability, or your current health status. A healthy lifestyle can prevent disease and the development of conditions that worsen a disability and help you live longer and better.

One step to a healthy lifestyle is to establish a support team of health professionals to assist you in staying healthy. Another step is to maintain healthy behaviors such as eating the right foods, being physically active and avoiding substances such as tobacco. Take your medicine as prescribed to feel healthy.

Your mental health can affect your physical health. Research shows that staying engaged in social activities so you communicate with others and contribute to your community can help keep you healthy.

Think about the following questions for yourself or your family member:

• Am I living a healthy lifestyle?
• Do I know and follow the advice of my support team of health-care practitioners?
• Do I know and follow the nutrition guidelines for my age group and activity level?
• If not, what prevents me from doing this?
• Am I physically active every day?
• Are there health behaviors that I could change to improve my health?
• Do I regularly interact with my support circle of family and friends?
• Do I have a plan to help me react quickly to an emergency?
• Whom can I turn to if I am the victim of abuse or suspect abuse or neglect of a child or dependent adult?

American Foundation for the Blind
Information and resources for persons with vision loss

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Health and safety topics, publications, and health data

DisabilityInfo.gov
Access to public and private health-care resources

Disability Resources.org
Medical information for persons with disabilities

Disability Resource Library, University of Iowa Health Care
A resource for people of all ages with disabilities of all kinds

Health, Wellness and Aging with Disability
A site by June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant

Iowa COMPASS
Information and referral for disability-related organizations and services. Call (800) 779-2001 to find Iowa disability medical experts

Iowa Department for the Blind
Resources to help Iowans with vision loss to live independently and work competitively

Iowa Department of Human Services
Links to home and community-based services

Living Well Iowa
Online health resources for consumers, family members, and providers

MedLine Plus
Health and prescription drug information

National Alzheimer’s Association
Planning ahead, care options, coordinating care, support and resources

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
A site by the University of Illinois at Chicago

National Council on Aging: Benfits Check-up
A search tool for government programs that help pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other needs

National Rehabilitation Information Center
Information on living independently

University of Iowa Health Care
A comprehensive resource on health topics for patients and providers

Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Iowa
Support and information for families, friends, and individuals with a mental illness

Geriatric Mental Health Foundation
Includes mental health information for older adults and their families

Iowa Coalition on Mental Health and Aging
Information and resources on mental health and aging

Iowa Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
Information and redources for parents of children who have emotional or behavioral disorders

Mental Health in America
Includes mental health information and links to resources

Positive Aging Resource Center
Resources on emotional health and healthy lifestyle

SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center
Iowa resources

SAMHSA National Substance Abuse Information Center
Substance abuse information for individuals

Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Information on disabilities

MetLife, Health
Includes topics about healthy living including choosing a physician, coping with major illness, and fitness and exercise

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging
Information on promoting healthy lifestyles

AARP Internet Resources on Aging
Leisure, learning and personal growth

Family Village Recreation and Leisure Center
Includes resources for recreation and fun

National Senior Games Association
Information to help seniors lead healthy lifestyles

Special Olympics
Information about sports training and athletic competitions for persons with disabilities

American Dietetic Association
A national referral service that links consumers and providers with nutrition professionals

Food Assistance Application
Connects you to an online application for food assistance

Iowa Department of Elder Affairs
Nutrition, health and wellness topics

American Red Cross
How to prepare and cope with any type of disaster

American Red Cross
Preparedness information for seniors and people with disabilities

Iowa 2-1-1
Find 2-1-1 information and referral systems

Iowa Concern
Crisis and disaster information

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Information to help you to be prepared for an emergency

Nobody Left Behind, Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Mobility Impairments
Links to consumer resources

Ready.gov
Tools for adults and children to prepare for and react to emergency situations

AARP
If nursing home problems occur, how to solve problems

Iowa Department of Elder Affairs, Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Trained advocates for residents of long-term care facilities

Iowa Department of Human Services
Comprehensive information about child abuse

Iowa Department of Human Services
Comprehensive information about dependent adult abuse

Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc.
Support for persons with disabilities to secure their rights and full participation as citizens