Vital Individuals Growing Older & more Resilient

Project VIGOR is a program designed to identify exemplary day and socialization options with a leisure, wellness, and companionship focus to help meet the needs of older adults (50+ yrs. old) with developmental disabilities. The primary goal of this program is to facilitate greater individual choice and participation in decisions that impact the person’s life, social relationships, and community involvement.

How does Project VIGOR work?

• Assess personal leisure and wellness interests
• Assist with development of leisure goals
• Increase leisure skills
• Promote social inclusion
• Community resource identification and networking to establish relationships with local leisure providers.
• Healthy lifestyles program to help participants develop personalized exercise regimens and healthy eating plans.
• Training for faith communities and leisure service providers to promote an inclusive environment
• Training for family and caregivers to address the importance of leisure, wellness, and community involvement for older adults with developmental disabilities

What are the potential outcomes of Project VIGOR? While there are countless benefits that older adults with developmental disabilities could gain from participation in Project VIGOR, here are a few examples:

• Increased knowledge of later life options
• Increased ability to make healthy life choices
• Increased wellness behaviors
• Increased life satisfaction
• Increased support from local faith communities, leisure providers, and family/caregivers
• Increased participation in community-based leisure activities

Please contact the Project VIGOR staff for more information.