The County’s Better Living at Home program, a program of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Aging and Disability Services, received an Aging Innovations Award from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) for the program’s outstanding contribution to the quality of life for older adults. The award will be presented at n4a’s annual conference, being held in St. Louis, July 17-21.

The program, which began in November 2008, is an innovative and cost-effective approach to serve vulnerable adults who wish to remain in the community and age in place. Utilizing occupational therapists, social workers and community health nurses, the program works to help maximize what individuals can do for themselves, rather than becoming dependent on others for supportive services. Examples of interventions implemented by the program range from: installation of wheelchair ramps, handheld showers, raised toilet seats, shower transfer benches, vision magnification devices and improved lighting, to training caregivers in new skills and re-arrangement of household furniture. The program costs less than $1,000 per client and typically involves an initial assessment, with two to four follow-up visits by an occupational therapist.

“Montgomery County is a great place to live and programs such as this make it easier for our older residents to remain in their homes,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. “This award honors the dedication of our staff to finding innovative ways to solve problems.”