CCAW program launched at Baltimore County Department of Aging Senior Expo

In a unique partnership with sanofi-aventis U.S., the Baltimore County Department of Aging (BCDA), and the John A. Hartford Foundation, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is launching a pilot program to help physicians connect older patients with diabetes to evidence-based education and wellness support, right in their local community. The program is called Community Connections to Aging Well (CCAW) and will officially launch at today's Baltimore County Department of Aging Senior Expo. Financial support is provided by sanofi aventis U.S.

“Community Connections to Aging Well will link physicians and patients to effective, evidence-based health programs that already exist at their local senior centers. These programs will help them better manage their disease and improve their health.”

"In Baltimore County alone, there are an estimated 35,000 adults over the age of 60 living with diabetes," said Ethel Rasmussen, of the Baltimore County Department of Aging. "Community Connections to Aging Well will link physicians and patients to effective, evidence-based health programs that already exist at their local senior centers. These programs will help them better manage their disease and improve their health."

Sanofi-aventis U.S. field representatives will provide physicians and staff with important information on how to link their patients to CCAW programs. Patients can be referred to eight of the BCDA's 20 senior centers to participate in an evidence-based chronic disease self-management workshop, as well as educational seminars, fitness, nutrition, and medication management workshops. NCOA will coordinate the launch and evaluate the pilot program's effectiveness. If successful, NCOA and sanofi-aventis plan to expand the program in several other U.S. cities.

"NCOA is a leader in development and implementation of evidence-based and community education programs that have proven they can improve diabetes awareness and help seniors make healthy lifestyle changes," said Rachel Couchenour, director, External Affairs, sanofi-aventis, U.S. "Through this partnership, we can link Baltimore County Medicare patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes to helpful programming right in their community. CCAW will help address one of the largest and fastest-growing health problems in the U.S."

"CCAW provides a unique link to community resources that can help older adults be more effective partners in their care," said James Firman, PhD, president and chief executive officer of the National Council on Aging. "We hope that success in Baltimore will lead to opportunities to empower older adults across the county to share in the management of their health care."

Diabetes: A Chronic Health Crisis

More than 12.2 million adults over the age of 60 have diabetes, and an additional 14.7 million are estimated to have pre-diabetes indicators. For the last three years, NCOA has led a diabetes community education program called Connect The Dots that has been proven to raise awareness of diabetes and hypertension. The program encourages older adults to adopt healthy lifestyle changes, such as making healthier eating choices, exercising, and accessing preventative benefits through Medicare for diabetes management, such as glucose monitors and testing strips.

How CCAW Works

The CCAW program will launch at eight senior centers during October. Sanofi-aventis field representatives will introduce the program to community physicians, and discuss the process for referring patients who could benefit most from the programming. Patients who receive a referral from their physician can register for evidence-based chronic disease self management or diabetes training programs that will include weekly classes on nutrition, medication management, physical activity, and support in managing their disease. Participants will also be eligible to participate in many other health and wellness programs offered at participating Baltimore County Senior Centers. 

SOURCE National Council on Aging