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As the world looks toward the Olympics, there are some awards being given out here at home to celebrate as well. Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging (PSR) this month received one of the highest honors USAging gives to its members.

The group’s “Delivery with a Ring” Doorbell Program earned an 2024 Aging Innovations Award. The program, which supplies older adult friendly doorbells to the homebound older adults receiving their home delivered meals, was among 16 programs to receive innovations honors during USAging’s 49th Annual Conference and Tradeshow, July 8–11 in Tampa, Florida. An additional 22 agencies received Achievement Awards.

“We here at Piedmont Senior Resources pride ourselves in delivering “more than a meal” when it comes to the well-being of the older adults we serve,” said PSR Nutrition Coordinator Nikki Dean. “So, when clients began calling stating they missed meals due to not hearing the drivers knock at the door, PSR came to the rescue by purchasing doorbells for those home delivered meal clients in need.”

Dean said that PSR had received several calls saying clients missed a meal driver because they were in the back of the house or simply didn’t hear the door knock or phone ring.

“We wanted a solution that would benefit both our clients and our drivers making deliveries more pleasant and efficient for everyone,” Dean said. “By purchasing doorbells with two receivers, clients are able to put them at both ends of the house. The doorbells are also designed with older adults in mind in that they have four volumes and light up when rang.”

And some of their clients agree that the project has helped them.

“I have a bigger home so the doorbell helps a lot,” said Buckingham County resident Lewis Taylor.” “It definitely wakes me up.”

The doorbells are delivered and installed by the meal drivers and to date, 200 doorbells have been successfully distributed to those older adults in the Piedmont Health District who receive PSR’s Home Delivered Meal services.

USAging officials applauded the award and moreso of the work that it represents.

“At USAging, we are thrilled to recognize the outstanding achievements of this year’s Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards recipients. Their innovative programs and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of older adults set a high standard for excellence in our field. These initiatives not only enhance the well-being of our aging population but also inspire others to strive for impactful and lasting change in their communities,” said USAging CEO Sandy Markwood.

The 2024 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards honored traditional and new strategies in a range of categories. All winners are highlighted in the USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards Showcase.