From left to right: Michael Eidsaune, CEO, Caregiving.com; John Byer, CEO, Cumulus.care; Kathy Vesley, CEO, Bay Aging; and Pam Curtis, President, USAging.

Bay Aging was honored to attend the USAging 49th Annual Conference and Tradeshow, “Answers on Aging,” held in Tampa, Florida, from July 8-11. This prestigious event recognizes national innovative programs that serve older adults at home and in the community.

The 2024 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards, supported by Caregiving.com and Cumulus.care, recognize USAging’s Area Agency on Aging members that have found new and innovative ways to support older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers as they live in their homes and communities.

Bay Aging was honored among 22 local aging programs with achievement and innovation awards. The organization received accolades in the following categories: Health-Social Care Integration for the Community Care Innovation Collaborative, Workforce Development and Volunteerism for Bay Aging’s Leadership Institute, Caregiver Support Program, and Nutrition for the Healthy Harvest Program.

Bay Aging earned two Innovations Awards and two Achievement Awards, emerging as one of the three highest-scoring winners for the 2024 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Award. They secured second place for the Community Care Innovation Collaborative, an initiative that serves as a shared learning space for leaders creating community care networks that connect people to health care and social supports. A public service of VAAACares®, Virginia’s community care hub, the collaborative launched in 2021 and now serves over 300 members representing 166 organizations.

“At USAging, we are thrilled to recognize the outstanding achievements of this year’s Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards recipients. Their innovative programs and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of older adults set a high standard for excellence in our field. These initiatives not only enhance the well-being of our aging population but also inspire others to strive for impactful and lasting change in their communities,” said USAging CEO Sandy Markwood.

Adding to this esteemed recognition, Kathy Vesley, President and CEO of Bay Aging, was selected last year as the Excellence in Leadership Award recipient. Kathy’s dedication and visionary leadership have been pivotal in driving Bay Aging’s mission and expanding its impact in the community.

“We are incredibly honored to receive these awards,” said Kathy Vesley, Bay Aging President and CEO. “They reflect the hard work and commitment of our entire team to innovate and provide exceptional care and support to older adults. The Community Care Innovation Collaborative, which earned second place in the Innovation Award category, has been particularly transformative, creating vital connections between health care and social supports. Additionally, recognition for our Leadership Institute, Caregiver Support Program, and Healthy Harvest Program underscores our comprehensive approach to serving our community. These awards, coupled with the Excellence in Leadership Award, are a testament to Bay Aging’s ongoing efforts to enhance the well-being of the communities we serve and our mission to provide programs and services that people of all ages need to live independently in their communities.”

Bay Aging is grateful for the monetary award from our second-place win, which will be used to enhance our programs and services to help individuals live independently in their own homes and communities.

The 2024 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards honored traditional and new strategies in a range of categories, including advocacy; agency operations; caregiving; community planning and livable communities; diversity, equity, and inclusion; economic security; elder abuse prevention; health–social care integration; healthy aging; home and community-based services; housing and homelessness; kinship and grandfamily support; nutrition; technology; social engagement; transportation and mobility; and workforce development and volunteerism.

All winners are highlighted in the USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards Showcase. To view the awards showcase, visit their website at www.usaging.org.