For Immediate Release Contact: AoA Press Office
September 9, 2003 (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 web site at http://www.aoa.gov.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging (AoA), works with a nationwide network of organizations and service providers to make support services and resources available to older persons and their caregivers. For more information about the AoA, please contact: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, Washington, D.C. 20201, Phone (202) 401-4541.

http://www.aoa.gov
Email: aoainfo@aoa.gov

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