ONTARIO — Ohio Area Agency on Aging District 5 (AAA5) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious 2024 USaging Aging Innovation & Achievement Award in the Technology category for its “Leveraging Technology to Expand Programs” initiative.
The award, presented at USAging’s 49th Annual Conference and Exposition in Tampa, Florida, recognized AAA5 as one of 38 pioneering programs that have significantly improved the lives of older adults across the nation.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, AAA5 partnered with its county agencies Ashland County Council on Aging, Crawford County Council on Aging, Huron County Enrichment Center, Marion Senior Center, Seniors on Center (Morrow County Senior Services), Seneca County Commission on Aging, Station Break, Knox County, and Wyandotte County Council on Aging to identify existing needs and gaps in services. Recognizing the critical role technology plays in supporting vulnerable and isolated seniors, AAA5 leveraged American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and local resources to enhance its technology infrastructure and equipment, which allowed it to deliver and stream essential programs, workshops, and classes to seniors in rural areas.
Duana Patton, CEO of the Regional Aging Agency, said, “We are honored to receive the 2024 USAging Aging Innovation & Achievement Award in the Technology category. This award recognizes our dedicated efforts to use technology to support local seniors, especially during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working closely with county officials and using American Rescue Plan Act resources, we were able to improve our technology infrastructure and deliver essential programming to rural seniors. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners to improving the lives of seniors through innovative solutions.”
By leveraging each other’s resources, AAA5 and its core members demonstrated effective programming, shared valuable content, and promoted social inclusion for older adults. Ontario’s ES Consulting, Inc. provided the necessary technology solutions, including site assessment, installation, training and ongoing support to ensure the program’s success.
“It has been an amazing and rewarding experience for our team to work with county officials to leverage this new technology to impact the lives of so many seniors in our area. We look forward to building on the success of this project and offering new and exciting virtual programming for the future,” said Trae Turner, AAA5 Community Living Chief.
The USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards, supported by Caregiving.com and Cumulus.care, recognize members who have implemented innovative, effective and replicable solutions and demonstrated management excellence for older adults in their communities. AAA5’s recognition highlights AAA5’s commitment to improving the lives of older adults through technology and collaboration.
Located at 2131 Park Avenue West in Ontario, Ohio District 5 Aging Agency provides leadership, collaboration, coordination and services to older adults, people with disabilities, their caregivers and a network of resources that support personal choice, independence and dignity.
