Aging and Disability Business Institute Honors Institute on Aging with The John A. Hartford Foundation 2019 Business Innovation Award

The Aging and Disability Business Institute recently presented the California-based Institute on Aging with The John A. Hartford Foundation 2019 Business Innovation Award for its pioneering work in helping older adults transition from institutional settings into the community where they can live independently.

The groundbreaking program developed by the Institute on Aging has helped nearly 300 individuals move away from institutional settings and into their own homes with the support of a network of partners that provide case management and community supports.

The award was presented to Dustin Harper, the Institute’s Chief Strategy Officer, at the 44th Annual Conference and Tradeshow of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

The award recognizes the Institute on Aging for its Community Care Settings Pilot Program, which takes a person-centered approach to help ensure that individuals have the supports they need to live independently in the community. Since its launch, the program has helped roughly 50 people per year transition from nursing homes and other institutional settings back to the community. The program boasts a 93 percent success rate, has resulted in significant health care cost savings, and is being replicated in other California counties with new health plans.

Runners-up for the award were the Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens for its work to develop a rural Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and the Camarillo Health Care District, for its health care contracting efforts related to post-acute care, case management and self-management.

About The John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award selection process: Each year, candidates are nominated through an open application process. A review committee of health care representatives, foundation staff and community-based organizations evaluates the applications based on criteria, which include how well the nominee demonstrates a successful partnership with a health care entity; the impact of the partnership on older adults and people with disabilities; and the degree to which the nominee demonstrates risk in pursuing new approaches to doing business and aligning leadership and staff in new directions.

About The John A. Hartford Foundation: The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. For more information, visit johnahartford.org and follow @johnahartford.

About n4a: The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging is a 501(c)(3) membership association representing America’s national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging and providing a voice in the nation’s capital for the Title VI Native American aging programs. The mission of n4a is to build the capacity of its members so they can better help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For more information, visit n4a.org and follow @n4aACTION.

About the Aging and Disability Business Institute: The mission of the Aging and Disability Business Institute is to build and strengthen partnerships between aging and disability community-based organizations and the health care system. The Business Institute receives funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, The SCAN Foundation, and the Administration for Community Living; and is led by n4a.