Bay Aging Named Recipient of Prestigious Aging Achievement Award from USAging
Bay Aging has received a 2026 Aging Achievement Award from USAging for its Beyond Caregiver Support: Integrating Social Care With Health Care program. The award is one of the highest honors USAging presents to its members. Bay Aging’s program, which integrates evidence-based dementia care coordination, caregiver education, respite, and health–social care supports through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, was one of 33 aging programs across the country to receive Achievement honors. The awards were presented during USAging’s 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow, held July 18–21 in San Diego, CA, where 16 additional agencies received Innovations Awards.
The 2026 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards, supported by Caregiving.com and Cumulus.care, recognizes USAging’s Area Agency on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Program 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.
“These award-winning programs reflect the ingenuity, dedication and local leadership of Area Agencies on Aging across the country,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging. “They show what is possible when communities invest in the innovative approaches that Area Agencies on Aging develop to respond to the real needs of older adults and caregivers, and we are proud to celebrate the organizations leading this important work.”
Through participation in the GUIDE Model program, Bay Aging is building on its long-standing commitment to helping older adults and caregivers remain supported at home and in their communities. The program provides eligible Medicare beneficiaries living with dementia and their caregivers with coordinated, person-centered support, including evidence-based dementia care coordination, caregiver education, respite, and connections to community-based services. By bringing health care and social care together, Bay Aging’s approach helps families navigate complex systems, strengthens care coordination, increases access to dementia-specific supports, and gives caregivers the resources they need throughout their caregiving journey.
“This recognition affirms Bay Aging’s commitment to meeting families where they are and delivering practical, person-centered support that helps them remain safely at home and connected to their communities,” said Kathy Vesley, President and CEO of Bay Aging. “Through the GUIDE Model program, we are helping caregivers and people living with dementia navigate complex systems, access dementia-specific services and respite, and feel better supported throughout the caregiving journey.”
The 2026 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards honored traditional and new strategies in a range of categories, including agency operations, caregiving, community planning and livable communities, elder abuse prevention, health–social care integration, healthy aging, home and community-based services, housing and homelessness, nutrition, social engagement, technology, transportation and mobility, and workforce development and volunteerism.
About USAging
USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Our members help older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information, visit usaging.org and follow @theUSAging on Facebook, X and Instagram.
