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Spotlight on Innovations and Achievements: Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington

Learn how this agency partners with two Accountable Communities of Health to deliver two initiatives to further integrate health care and long-term services and supports in Southwest Washington.

We're proud to highlight the award-winning work of the 2020 winners of n4a's Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards in this weekly spotlight feature. This week, we are focusing on Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington's Community Paramedicine program. The agency was a 2020 Aging Achievement Award winner in the Health-LTSS Integration category. The 2020 AIA Awards were made possible thanks to the support of Centene.
 
Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington (AAADSW) formed partnerships to integrate health care and long-term services and supports with two different Accountable Communities of Health in Washington state, Cascade Pacific Action Alliance (CPAA) and Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH). With CPAA, AAADSW operates the Community Paramedicine initiative, deploying a registered nurse to meet with high utilizers of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to provide wraparound services that address social determinants of health, reducing non-emergent EMS calls. Through SWACH, Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) specialists are embedded within primary and acute care settings to support delivery of whole-person care.
 
Through the Community Paramedicine program, a total of 160 EMS high utilizers have received personalized care. Health care partners on both projects report a reduction in non-emergent calls.
 
AAADSW played a significant role in helping older adults connect to information, resources and vaccine appointments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency continues to serve clients and conduct home visits, while following CDC guidelines. The home visits allow staff to understand a client's needs, so they may best support them.
 
To learn more about the Community Paramedicine program and how your agency can replicate this program in your community, contact David Kelly, David.Kelly@dshs.wa.gov. For more information about the 2020 winners, see the press release and read the book of winners! To read about past winners and find other best practices for your agency to consider, visit our Best Practices Clearinghouse page.
 
Just announced! Fifteen Innovations winners and 21 Achievement winners were showcased at n4a's Annual Conference & Tradeshow, held July 19-22, 2021. See the press release and read this year's book of winners! The 2021 Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards are made possible by the generous support of iN2L. Our summaries of the 2021 recipients will start this fall.  

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