The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) Honors Innovative and Successful Programs Serving Older Adults

Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging's Family Caregiver Program Honored

The Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging (SEMO AAA) announces that the Family Caregiver Program has been honored with an Aging Achievement Award by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) for their "Caregiver Solutions Program." The awards program is sponsored by Critical Signal Technologies (CST).

The 2010 n4a Aging Achievement Awards recognize aging services programs across the country that provide successful, cost-effective approaches that help older adults live independently in their homes and communities and provide needed support to caregivers of older adults. The honored programs serve as models for other agencies seeking new and effective approaches to address the needs of older residents and their families in local communities.

"n4a annually honors and promotes best practices that assist older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers. This awards program helps to underscore the fact that Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American aging programs are indeed a trusted network that continues to rise above challenges to serve our ever-growing aging population," said n4a CEO Sandy Markwood.

Caregiver Solutions is a program in which a collection of family caregiver information is developed at local libraries. SEMO AAA board members and community organizations are involved in helping to provide books which are specific to caregiving. It is intended to give easy, free access to information on a wide range of care topics. Caregivers can choose information on topics appropriate to their needs in a familiar, supportive environment close to home and at their own pace

"I am very pleased with this project, knowing that there are so many caregivers in our service area who are benefiting from the information provided," Stated Glenda Hoffmeister, Executive Director of SEMO AAA.

The 2010 n4a Aging Achievement Awards honored 36 programs in a range of categories, including caregiving, community planning, ethnic/cultural diversity, elder abuse prevention, healthy aging, home & community-based care, intergenerational programs, information & referral, nutrition, technology, transportation and volunteerism.

To learn more about the Caregiver Solutions Project or other services offered by SEMO AAA go to their website at www.semoaaa.org.

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is the leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the country and a champion in our nation's capital for Title VI Native American aging programs. n4a's primary mission is to build the capacity of its members to help older persons and persons with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. (www.n4a.org)