County Agency on Aging Receives National Award

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 08, 2010

[Update:  7/29/10:  View photo of award presentation:  pictured are Jeffrey Praugh, CEO of Critical Signals Technology, award sponsor; Lorraine Barr, REACH administrator; Deborah Letourneau, REACH founder, and Area Agency on Aging CEO Lynn Kellogg.]

Washington County Disability, Aging & Veterans' Services (DAVS) is a recipient of a 2010 n4a Aging Achievement Award for Project REACH (Ready to Extend a Caring Hand) in the Home/Community-Based Care award category from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a).The announcement was made this week by Joanetta Bolden of n4a.

According to REACH founder Deborah Letourneau, Program Coordinator for DAVS, "Project REACH is an innovative response to the fact that many isolated seniors in Washington County do not link in to services for many reasons: the absence of an advocate, difficulty navigating phone systems, challenges in completing an application and/or lack of transportation." 

REACH volunteer senior advocates make home visits to assess needs and work with the senior and other agency partners to ensure necessary services are accessed.The contributions of these talented and compassionate volunteers have extended the agency's ability to reach out to some of the most isolated seniors in our county.

"We have had 155 referrals since the program began," says Lorraine Barr, Aging Services Coordinator, who heads the program now.  "Some of the services to which REACH volunteers have successfully linked elders include:Emergency food and Meals on Wheels, Oregon Project Independence in-home services, dental services, transportation, medical equipment, support groups, home repair and adaptation, Medicare counseling, services for the blind, prescription drug assistance, energy assistance, public housing and relocation services."

Additionally, REACH advocates provide emotional support to isolated seniors who are going through difficult transitions.In the words of one senior who was assisted by REACH volunteers, "Do you know how it feels when someone is helping to carry your burden?I feel like I have angels in my corner."

The award presentation will take place at the n4a Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO, in July.  

Project REACH may be contacted at 503-846-3060.

Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services is the Area Agency on Aging for Washington County.  It provides options to help seniors and veterans stay independent, healthy, active and involved in the community.  The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is the leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging and a champion for Title VI Native American aging programs.

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