Aging Together nationally recognized

By Rhonda Simmons

Jun. 5, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --

The United States Administration on Aging recently announced that it named a local aging agency as one of its national champions.

The Aging Together Partnership was recently honored as a 2008 Program Champion and will be featured on the federal AOA's Web site Monday.

"It is an honor to be recognized as National Champion acting on behalf of older citizens," said Aging Together Project Manager Chris Miller. "The energy and creativity of Aging Together's staff and partners are drawing attention to this region as a model for how to revere and support our area seniors."

"The successes to date are just the beginning of what we will be able to capture with our focus on building a supportive community through collaboration. I'm excited to be a part of it," Miller added.

According to the administration's Web site, each agency selected as program champion in its region has a "proven record building strong, healthy communities so that older people in the U.S. will maintain their independence longer then ever before."

"All 2008 National Program Champions have made dramatic improvements in community resources for older citizens and their families," according to the press release. "Aging Together was selected for its unique structure building on both local county teams and region wide workgroups."

Over the years, Aging Together has facilitated a number of collaborations that have created new or improved services throughout the Piedmont region: Culpeper, Madison, Orange, Fauquier and Rappahannock.

This national recognition is the fourth award presented to Aging Together Partnership.

Aging Together is a regional organization dedicated to improving options for seniors and is part of the national program Community Partnerships for Older Adults, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

According to the Aging Together Web site, the organization strives to help communities develop leadership, new solutions, and options to meet the needs of older adults over the long term.

Recently, the Virginia General Assembly allocated funding to the Aging Together Partnership in an effort of continuing to address long term health care and supportive services for senior citizens.

Some of the collaborations include: the adult day care center DayBreak, Culpeper Human Services, the Alzheimer's Association and the Virginia Department for the Aging.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or rsimmons@starexponent.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0297-25794044