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CHICAGO — CVS/pharmacy and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) announced the recipients of the Prescription for Better Health Award at the Aging in America Conference here.
The drug store chain said Monday that Groton Senior Center of Groton, Conn., was selected as the top honoree in recognition of its program, "On Our Own: Staying Steady," a falls prevention program that combined physical assessments for risk of falling, a home assessment and the evidence-based program "Matter of Balance."
The program brought community resources together in a comprehensive effort to reduce the number of falls by seniors and keep them independent and at home, according to CVS.
"Groton Senior Center demonstrated its commitment to helping individuals make healthy lifestyle choices and improving their quality of life, earning it this year’s Prescription for Better Health Award," Rob Price, senior vice president of retail advertising and marketing for CVS/pharmacy, said in a statement. "We are proud to recognize this organization and salute all of the applicants for their contributions to the senior community."
The Prescription for Better Health Award recipients were chosen for the strength of their healthy lifestyle programs and positively impacting the health of seniors in their community, while also designing programs that could be easily implemented at other senior centers across the country.
"Once again, the Prescription for Better Health Award received a substantial response, with applicants demonstrating a variety of ways in which their programs support the health and wellness of seniors," stated Donna Phillips, vice president for membership at NCOA. "By honoring the work of the Groton Senior Center’s falls prevention program, we hope to encourage other organizations to focus on the needs of seniors in their communities."
Honorable mentions went to CareLink of North Little Rock, Ark. for "Dancing with the Seniors"; Troy Senior Center of Troy, Mich., for "Pickleball"; Senior Services of Midland, Mich., for "Home Alone Camp"; and Wentworth Connections of Portsmouth, N.H., for "HealthRHYTHMS."
"We are pleased to be recognized by the NCOA and CVS/pharmacy for our efforts to decrease the instances of falls, a frequent and preventable injury, among the seniors in our community," commented Mary Jo Riley, senior center supervisor of Groton Senior Center. "The award acknowledges the important work of senior centers like ours that strive to promote a healthy lifestyle for older adults."
