Health and Wellness

Bancroft is committed to helping families gain knowledge and access important resources to help their family member be successful. The information and resources provided here was collected by Bancroft professional staff to help family members learn more about specific topics. Bancroft professionals are also available to answer specific questions or help you access support, when needed, for your family. Please be advised that the information provided is for educational purposes only and that Bancroft does not endorse any of the products or services listed.

Books

A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities
by Jane Maxwell, Julia Watts Belser, and Darlena David

Women with disabilities often discover that the social stigma of disability and inadequate care are greater barriers to health than the disabilities themselves. A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities will help women with disabilities overcome these barriers and improve their general health, self-esteem, and abilities to care for themselves and participate in their communities.

Journal

Teaching Self-Protection Skills to Persons with Mental Retardation
Haseltine, B. & Miltenberger, R.G. (1990)
American Journal on Mental Retardation 95(2), 188-197.

Web Resources

The American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association's web site is a valuable resource for anyone seeking mental health information. Here you will find information on many common mental health concerns, including warning signs of mental disorders, treatment options and preventative measures.

American Dietetic Association
These brief fact sheets, covering a wide range of topics, provide nutrition facts along with healthy eating tips and recipes. Nutrition Fact Sheets are developed in collaboration with other organizations and industry sponsors.

Calorie Control Council
The Calorie Control Council, established in 1966, is an international association representing the low-calorie and reduced-fat food and beverage industry. Today it represents 30 manufacturers and suppliers of low-calorie, low-fat and light foods and beverages, including the manufacturers and suppliers of more than two dozen different dietary sweeteners, fat replacers, fibers and other low-calorie ingredients.

The Council seeks to provide an effective channel of communication among its members, the public and government officials, and to assure that scientific, medical and other pertinent research and information is developed and made available to all interested parties. As part of this objective, careful attention to scientific research has been a cornerstone of the Council since its founding. The Council has sponsored numerous studies on low-calorie ingredients, foods and beverages-including investigations of ingredient safety, consumer usage and public opinion.

  1. Calculate how many calories you expend doing your favorite exercise or activity based on how long you do the activity and your weight.
  2. Curious as to how many calories you need to maintain your current weight? Try this calculator to find out.

Center for Disease Control
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is dedicated to protecting health and promoting quality of life through the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability. We are committed to programs that reduce the health and economic consequences of the leading causes of death and disability, thereby ensuring a long, productive, healthy life for all people.

Dental Care for Persons with Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey
This site serves as a resource for persons in New Jersey who are seeking appropriate dental care for themselves or for family members who have developmental disabilities.

Healthier Us.gov
HealthierUS.gov provides credible, accurate information to help you choose to live a healthier life. The Healthier US initiative is a national effort to improve people's lives, prevent and reduce the costs of disease, and promote community health and wellness.

MyPyramid.gov
The home page for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Many tools, information, and related links are available:

  1. MyPyramid Menu Planner, you can start planning menus by searching for foods and beverages you plan to eat.
  2. MyPyramid Tracker (an online dietary and physical activity assessment tool that provides information on your diet quality, physical activity status, related nutrition messages, and links to nutrient and physical activity information.)

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute provides BMI calculator, Menu planning tools and a link to "We Can." "Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition" is a national program designed for families and communities to help children maintain a healthy weight.

  1. Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine your current weight status.
  2. Interactive menu planner

New Jersey Commission of the Blind
The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired coordinates and provides preventive, rehabilitative and assistive services to people who are blind or visually impaired or at risk of becoming so. Services include, but are not limited to, eye health screenings and assessments for adults and children, educational and vocational rehabilitation, annual sleep-away camping for children who are blind or visually impaired, and referrals to other services, as required.

New Jersey Department of Human Services: Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund
The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund provides eligible families with financial assistance to help them cover medical expenses that were previously incurred because their child became catastrophically ill or injured. Covered expenses include, but are not limited to, special ambulatory care, acute or specialized in- or out-patient hospital care, medical equipment, medically-related home modifications, home health care and medical transportation.

New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the state's central information and referral service for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. This Division helps people obtain devices and services required to help them better communicate and participate in daily life, such as text telephones (TTYs) and sign language interpreters.

Nutrient Rich Food Coallition
The Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition Web site offers fast and reliable information to help you eat the nutrient-rich way-that means getting the most vitamins, minerals and other nutrients-but not too many calories-from the foods you choose.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition provides a self-paced, web based instruction on how to use the Nutrition Facts Panel in making better choices for weight management.

Weisman Children's Rehabilitation Hospital
Weisman Children's Rehabilitation Hospital is a provider of pediatric rehabilitation services in the Delaware Valley. It is a place where comfort and support are offered to every child/adolescent, family member, and friend. Their only focus is on pediatric rehabilitation.