Westchester County won two awards for its Livable Communities initiative and a deputy commissioner was a finalist in a leadership competition, all sponsored by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a).
The honors - all presented to the county’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) - indicate that its Livable Communities initiative continues to expand its national reputation as a leader in the aging field. The goal of Livable Communities is to provide a better quality of life for people of all ages and enable seniors to remain in their homes as they age with dignity, independence and civic involvement.
"The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services takes pride in providing cutting-edge leadership to improve the quality of life for older persons - not only at home but as a role model around the country,” said DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter.
The two programs that received Livable Communities Aging Achievement Awards were selected from hundreds of applicants and were cited as innovative endeavors that “can inspire and provide an example for others to emulate.”
Achievement award in technology
“Building Livable Communities in Second Life” won an Achievement Award in the Technology category. Second Life is a virtual computer program that students from several colleges used in a competition to create virtual houses and neighborhoods with the needs of seniors in mind. For example, those virtual settings might include a bedroom and full bathroom on the first floor, wider doorways for wheelchairs and perhaps lower kitchen cabinets with shelves that are easier to reach. An IBM employee and adjunct professor in Pace University’s computer science department helped the students with their projects. The idea of the program, however, was not so much to learn about technology as it was to help young people understand the needs of seniors and possibly consider a career in the aging services field.
Intergenerational program
“Gerontech” won the Achievement Award in the Intergenerational Programs category. Here, students from local colleges taught basic computer skills to elderly residents in independent living, assisted living, nursing homes and adult day care facilities. Since the program began in January 2006, more than 100 college students have taken part. Again, an important goal is to foster contact between seniors and young people.
Both award-winning programs were projects of the Westchester Alliance of Academic Institutions for Aging-Related Studies and Work Force Development (also known as the Westchester Alliance). The alliance fosters collaboration among institutions of higher learning to respond to the aging of the population and to develop curricula that address aging issues. It also aims to promote interest in careers and internships in the aging field.
Excellence in Leadership
Diane Aparisio, DSPS’ deputy commissioner, was a finalist for n4a’s Excellence in Leadership Award. Aparisio, who has served in her current position since 2005, has more than 20 years experience in program development for seniors as well as extensive background in child and family services. As deputy commissioner, she is responsible for assisting Carpenter in implementing programs and services to improve the quality of life for seniors and enable them to remain in the community.
Aparisio also manages local, state and federal funds to support services provided to the 187,000 people over age 60 in Westchester County through 130 subcontracts with municipalities and service agencies.
She has a master’s degree in social work from the Hunter College School of Social Work of the City University of New York and a certificate of executive management from Pace University in White Plains.
