The Commonwealth Council on Aging today gave its highest honor of the year to the Virginia Beach Senior Resource Center for a program that helps older residents cope with disasters and emergencies.
Interim Commissioner Jim Rothrock of the Virginia Department for the Aging presented the top 2012 Best Practices award at the Innovations in Aging 2012 conference in suburban Maryland. The award honors organizations whose model programs can be replicated across the commonwealth.
The Senior Resource Center, at 912 Princess Anne Road in Creeds, is primarily run by volunteers with assistance from the city’s Department of Human Services. It provides residents living in southern Virginia Beach with educational seminars, physical activity and social interaction needed to live their lives to the fullest. The Council on Aging advises the governor on issues affecting the nearly 1 million Virginians age 65 and older.
The award honors the center’s Emergency Preparedness Plan for the rural area of southern Virginia Beach. It identifies older residents in the community who will need special assistance or contact during an emergency situation and builds relationships with them so they will accept assistance when needed.
The program will receive a $3,000 donation as its award.
For more information on the Senior Resource Center, visit www.vbsrc.com. For more information on the Commonwealth Council on Aging Best Practices Awards, visit www.vda.virginia.gov/council.asp.
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