The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recognized many organizations, nationwide with their Trailblazers in Aging Awards at the NCOA Age and Action Conference in Washington D.C. The 2019 Innovator Award was presented to the Healthy Living Center of Excellence (HLCE) and its member network for its work integrating community services into the health care delivery system with evidenced-based programs across Massachusetts. Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley established the Healthy Living Center of Excellence, with funding from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and the John A. Hartford Foundation, to help older adults and adults with disabilities manage their chronic health concerns. Today, 90 organizations in Massachusetts offer these programs to help people overcome social and behavioral factors affecting healthy aging.
The Innovator Award recognizes the HLCE and the network as an important model of successful partnerships between health care and aging services. “We are proud to recognize these outstanding national and local leaders who share our mission to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who struggle with chronic issues,” said Jim Firman, NCOA President & CEO. “They represent the future of aging well in America—working to ensure diversity and inclusion, launching innovative solutions, and strengthening programs that all of us depend on as we age.”
“Up to 60% of health care outcomes are not related to clinical interventions, but due to social determinants of health and behaviors that do related to managing chronic health conditions” shares Elder Services’ Chief Executive Officer, Joan Hatem-Roy. “This award recognizes the innovative partnership between community organizations and health care to achieve improved health outcomes for our most vulnerable populations.”
To learn more about the Healthy Living Center of Excellence, visit www.healthyliving4me.org.
