Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Lombard, IL – AgeGuide, the Area Agency on Aging for Northeastern Illinois, announces that its Tablets to Seniors and Music & Memory programs received special recognition from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). Both programs received 2021 Aging Innovations awards which is the highest honor presented by n4a to member agencies. AgeGuide’s innovative programs were among the top 15 of 36 local aging programs to receive honors during the n4a Annual Conference and Tradeshow, July 19-22.
The 2021 n4a Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards recognizes Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American Aging Programs that develop and implement cutting-edge approaches to support older adults, people with disabilities and their family caregivers. Among the selection criteria was the ease with which other agencies could replicate the program in their communities.
“n4a is proud to recognize the innovative, successful and replicable programs and initiatives of our members through the Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards. We salute the winning AAAs who have enhanced the value of this awards program by sharing their initiatives with their peers in the Aging Network,” said Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive Officer of n4a. “Our members work tirelessly, with little fanfare, in their communities, and this program enables us to shine a well-deserved spotlight on their critical work to support older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers,” said Markwood.
The Tablets to Seniors program was a partnership with T-Mobile to provide internet connected tablets to isolated older adults to help them connect with family, friends and their community during the pandemic. The recipients attended three tutorial sessions to learn how to operate their tablet, use the camera and microphone, set up a Google account, connect to social media, use Zoom, and more.
The Music & Memory/Alive Inside program is an inter-generational program partnering with volunteer high school students who conduct interviews with participants and deliver a playlist of songs based on the participants interests and feedback from the interview. Personalized music can activate cognition, boost spirits, decrease pain, brighten moods, provide respite, and have many other positive impacts on people living with cognitive challenges.
“We are honored to be receiving two Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards from n4a” said Marla Fronczak, Chief Executive Officer of AgeGuide. “We are proud to offer these innovative programs to the communities we serve because we witnessed the positive impact they have in connecting people with family and friends in new and profound ways.”
All winners are showcased in the n4a 2021 AIA awards book.
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About AgeGuide
AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois is a nonprofit organization responsible for developing and coordinating a network of services for older adults throughout the eight-county region. AgeGuide informs and advises public and private agencies and the general public of the needs of older adults living in the area, and acts as an advocate on their behalf. The Agency serves DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Other information about AgeGuide and other topics of interest to older adults and links to other resources are available at the Agency’s web site: www.ageguide.org.
About n4a
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is a 501(c)(3) membership association representing America’s national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and providing a voice in the nation’s capital for the more than 260 Title VI Native American aging programs. n4a’s primary mission is to build the capacity of our members so they can help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. (www.n4a.org)
