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PRESS RELEASE
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| Tuesday, September 23, 2003 |
Contact: AoA Press Office
(202) 401-4541 |
The Administration On Aging Awards Grants And Launches Public/Private Partnership To Support Prevention Programs For The Elderly
The Administration on Aging (AoA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), awarded grants totaling over $2 million as part of a public/private
partnership to increase access for older people to programs that have proven
to be effective in reducing the risk of disease, injury, and disability. The
partnership involves a variety of federal agencies and private foundations that
are coordinating their efforts to help implement evidence-based prevention programs
through aging services providers at the community level. The areas of focus include
disease self-management, nutrition, physical activity, falls prevention, and
medication management.
“As life expectancy increases, adults over 65 have more
years to benefit from prevention programs,” HHS Secretary
Tommy G. Thompson said. “Through this partnership, we will
be helping senior centers, nutrition programs, and other community
agencies make prevention a reality in the every day lives of
older people,” he continued.
“Aging services providers are uniquely positioned to ensure
that effective prevention program are available to older people,
including the under-served elderly who often need such programs
the most,” said Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina
G. Carbonell. “Prevention is a key component of our strategy
for helping older people to remain healthy and independent.”
The initiative uses the results from research by HHS’ National
Institute on Aging, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to design
and deliver prevention programs at the community level. Other
partners involved in the initiative are The John A. Hartford
Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Horizon Foundation,
and The National Council on the Aging.
A total of 12 grants are being awarded to the following local
organizations: Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging, Philadelphia,
PA; Senior Services of Albany, Albany, NY; North Central Area
Agency on Aging, Hartford, CT; Southern Maine Area Agency on
Aging, Scarborough, ME; Alamo Area Council of Governments, Antonio,
TX; Little Havana Activity and Nutrition Center, Miami, FL; Partners
in Care, Burbank, CA; Los Angeles, City Department on Aging,
Los Angeles, CA, and; Neighborhood Centers, Harris County, TX;
Elders in Action, Portland, OR; Sheltering Arms Senior Services,
Houston, TX; Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, Grand
Rapids, MI. Each project involves a local partnership of aging
services providers, area agencies on aging, health care providers
and a research organization.
In addition to the local projects, AoA is awarding a grant to
The National Council on the Aging to establish a National Technical
Assistance Center on Prevention for the Elderly to assist local
organizations in developing evidence-based prevention activities.
The John A. Hartford Foundation and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
are also providing resources for work in this area.
“We are very proud to be partners with AoA in this effort
to increase the capacity of the aging services network to provide
high quality, evidence-based services to older Americans,” explains
Corinne H. Rieder, Ed.D., Executive Director of The John A. Hartford
Foundation. “AoA's investment in these local projects and
the National Council on the Aging reinforces the Foundation's
commitment to this effort.”
"This partnership can enhance the quality of life for older
Americans," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., President
and CEO of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "Americans
are living longer than ever, and by bringing proven programs
to organizations that serve older adults, we can improve health
and help people get the most out of life."
The Horizon Foundation of Howard County, Maryland will be funding
an additional local project as part of this national initiative. “The
Horizon Foundation is excited about this opportunity to make
Howard County a national model in support of older adults who
want to age-in-place,” explains Richard Krieg, President
and CEO of the Horizon Foundation. “We hope our investment
in this partnership not only enhances the quality of life for
older people in Howard County, but encourages other community
foundations across our nation to play a leadership role in helping
their communities to put research into practice for our older
citizens.”
For more information on the Evidence-Based Prevention Program
for the Elderly please visit the Administration on Aging website at http://www.aoa.gov.
| Last Modified: 5/12/2010 12:06:10 PM |
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