News
Spotlight on Innovations: Care Connection for Aging Services
- By: USAging
- On: 02/01/2019 11:08:16
- In: Program Update
We're highlighting the cutting-edge programs and successful strategies used by the 2018 recipients of n4a's Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards in this weekly spotlight feature. This week's focus is on the Seniors Fit & Fun program from Care Connection for Aging Services, winner in the Healthy Aging category.
Seniors Fit & Fun is an interactive event designed to educate older adults about programs available to help them stay healthy and active. At the event, traditional health fair tables are replaced with activities that feature information about health and wellness. Stations include cooking demonstrations with recipes emphasizing good nutrition, hula hoops with preventive benefit information, a beach ball toss with exercises, Wheel of Benefits with assistance program information, and a memory game with brain health tips.
The program began in 2016 after Care Connection for Aging Services received a funding opportunity to provide outreach and education regarding preventive benefits, Low Income Subsidy benefits and Medicare Savings Programs. The inspiration for interactive health fairs to provide this outreach and education stemmed from a presentation from another AAA at an earlier n4a Annual Conference. Program partners vary depending on the community in which the event is held, but Walgreens has been a consistent partner. Additional partners include physical therapy clinics, hospitals, extension offices, senior living, county health departments and pharmacies.
Consistently, 99 percent of attendees surveyed indicate an increased awareness of preventive benefits and say they intend to speak with their health care providers about receiving services. For agencies interested in starting similar programs, Care Connection for Aging Services recommends that agencies utilize community partnerships to help provide activities and information.
To learn more about this year's winners, read our press release and check out our book of winners to learn how your agency can implement this or similar programs in your community!
Thanks to the generous support of WellCare, the Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards 2019 application process will open in February, so watch your email for updates and consider nominating your agency's programs!