The Rio Olympics have inspired us to be better – from Katie Ledecky swimming a full pool length ahead of her competitors to Simone Biles defying gravity leaps and bounds above her tiny frame – we saw the payoff of hard work, dedication and sheer force of will.
Recently, the National Aging and Disability Business Institute saw a glimpse into our forms of greatness with the announcement of the first winner of The John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award. The inaugural award was presented to the Southern Maine Agency on Aging for its pioneering work with the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization.
Like the Olympics, the Business Innovation Award, scored competitors based on several criteria. All types of community-based organizations were eligible to apply.
- Demonstrated innovative work in pioneering new business models
- Degree of partnership with health care entities
- Willingness to take risk in pursuing new approaches to doing business and aligning leadership and staff in new directions
- Level of achievement in establishing contracts with health care entities and building sustainable funding models for the future
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging was nominated by the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization (ACO) for enabling “trusted partnerships to support patients receiving care within the community they reside by innovating and delivering expertise with such programs such as Chronic Disease Self-Management, Matter of Balance, Simply Delivered Meals and initiating conversations with and completing Advanced Directives for ACO patients within their trusted practices.”
Innovative ideas to work with a rapidly aging population is increasingly urgent in Maine. Maine is the oldest state in the nation, per capita, and its population of older residents is growing rapidly. U.S. Census data show that 22 percent of the state’s population is 60 or older and that by 2030, more than 31 percent of Mainers will be older than 60.
In this first year of offering The John A. Hartford Business Innovation Award, we received 15 applications. Two nominees received honorable mentions: The County of San Diego and Independence Services and Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana, Inc.
It’s a brave new world out there – both in health care and for community-based organizations delivering long-term services and supports. We have a lot to learn from each other. The Olympics showed us the importance of pushing past our comfort zones to achieve greatness.