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Care Connection for Aging Services has been honored with an Aging Achievement Award by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) in recognition of the agency’s Seniors Fit & Fun events.
The Fit & Fun concept was among 45 aging programs to receive honors at the n4a Annual Conference & Tradeshow Sunday in Chicago.
Care Connection’s staff members created the Fit & Fun concept as a fun way to present health, wellness and disease prevention information to older adults by getting participants involved in games and exercises. A dozen senior centers have hosted these events, and three more are scheduled for August in Concordia, Butler, and Osceola.
The 2018 n4a Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards recognize Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that develop and implement cutting-edge approaches to support older adults, people with disabilities and their family caregivers. A part of the criteria for the selection of the honorees was the ease with which other agencies could replicate the program in their communities. The awards program is supported by WellCare Health Plans.
“With the health care landscape changing at a rapid pace, our members continue to meet the needs of America’s rapidly growing older adult population by finding new ways to position themselves in the long-term and health care marketplaces while strengthening the services they already offer,” said n4a’s Chief Executive Officer Sandy Markwood. “Our members work tirelessly, with little fanfare in their communities, and this program enables us to shine a well-deserved spotlight on their critical work to support older adults’ health, safety, independence and dignity,” said Markwood.
Diana Hoemann, Executive Director of Care Connection, said she is pleased that the agency has received national recognition.
“We believe the Fit & Fun concept is an innovative approach to providing essential information to older adults, and we are happy that national leaders have recognized the effort as well,” said Diana Hoemann, Executive Director of Care Connection.
The Fit & Fun is meant as a welcomed alternative to health fairs where exhibitors sit behind tables and hand out brochures, according to Rona McNally, Care Connection Director of Special Projects.
“We want seniors to get up and moving so that they see the benefits of even moderate amounts of exercise for the body and the mind,” McNally said. “In addition, the Fit & Fun provides important education about preventive benefits available as part of their Medicare coverage.”

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is the leading voice on aging issues for the 622 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the country and a champion in our nation’s capital for the more than 250 Title VI Native American aging programs. n4a’s primary mission is to build the capacity of our members so they can help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. (www.n4a.org / www.facebook.com/n4aACTION)