Local Community Partnership Garners Highest Honor
"At Home," a program created through a partnership between the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging (SAAA), Shenandoah University and other local agencies has been recognized by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
"At Home," a program created through a partnership between the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging (SAAA), Shenandoah University, Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, Our Health and the Shenandoah County Free Medical Clinic, has been recognized by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) with an Aging Innovations Award, the highest honor presented by n4a.
"At Home," which provides rural citizens with the choice to age at home, adds a new level to SAAA’s core services for the homebound in Shenandoah County. The program began in 2007 when SAAA became a lead partner in a rural health outreach grant funded by the Department of Health and Human Services’Health Resources and Services Administration. The three-year grant provided the funding for a part-time rural health outreach nurse for Shenandoah County’s homebound older citizens living with chronic disease.
In 2008, "At Home" partnered with Shenandoah University’s Division of Physician Assistant Studies. During home visits, university students complete brief medical histories, assess vital signs and develop a pharmaceutical inventory. To date, 72 physician assistant studies students have participated in the program. The response from both seniors and students has been overwhelmingly positive.
The honored program will serve as models for other agencies seeking innovative approaches to address the needs of the older population within their communities. The need for successful, cost-effective aging programs is especially important in light of the wave of aging baby boomers expected to require such services.
"'At Home' documented clinical improvements, but the real difference is found in the improved quality of life for the homebound served by this program," said Helen Cockrell, president and CEO of SAAA. "We are privileged to be involved in such a great partnership with Our Health, Valley Health's Shenandoah Memorial Hospital and Shenandoah University."
Under the Older Americans Act, SAAA provides service to the community for persons age 60 or better with an emphasis on low income, frail and minority older persons. SAAA also serves as one of 10 aging and disability resource centers in Virginia. SAAA's mission is to provide support services that allow people to age at home. For information, go to http://www.shenandoahaaa.com/.