Today, Lynette Anderson, a case manager for Colorado’s Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, was named a Community Champion by Mom’s Meals, a leading provider of medically tailored, ready to heat-and-eat meals, and USAging, the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging.
The honor, presented at the 47th Annual USAging Conference and Tradeshow in Austin, Texas, underscores the valuable role case managers play in supporting whole health in their communities. In their work, case managers promote awareness of the importance of nutrition in overall health and highlight this critical social determinant of health to help individuals who want to age at home and to support the management of chronic conditions.
Anderson, in her work as a case manager for the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, displayed an “ongoing commitment to supporting clients to successfully age in place” and was deeply involved with educating others about nutrition, said Corrin Godar, client services supervisor for the Community Living Team at the agency, who nominated her for the award.
“Lynette always prioritizes nutrition in assessments and interventions as she understands it is such an integral part of health [and] chronic disease management, and that many other elements of well-being are intrinsically tied to meeting someone's nutrition needs,” Godar said. “Given the rural clientele she serves, she goes above and beyond to collaborate with our Healthy Aging and Nutrition Team to figure out the best way to support the clients while taking a person-centered approach."
Godar added that Anderson, who understands the link between socioeconomic factors and health outcomes, has worked with clients of all backgrounds from the county’s rural and mountain areas. As of May, Anderson serves Boulder County by working alongside local law enforcement to provide mental health and other support.
The Community Champion Award, introduced by Mom’s Meals in 2020, honors case managers for their outstanding achievements in the areas of nutrition, health, and healthy lifestyles. USAging joined the effort in 2022.
“Case managers such as Lynette Anderson are true champions,” said John Phillips, vice president of national program development for Mom’s Meals. “As a direct result of their work, people with unique needs, many of them our most vulnerable neighbors, receive services that are essential in managing and maintaining their health and remain in their homes. Both Mom’s Meals and USAging share a deep passion for bringing much-needed health and nutrition services to people with unique needs.”
Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, said, “We are delighted to present Lynette Anderson with this honor. The Community Champion Award spotlights the critical role of case managers, who work with a diverse array of older adults to help them secure the supports they need to be able to age well at home and in their communities. Case managers, through their invaluable work, truly change lives.”
Three case managers have previously won the Community Champion Award. Previous winners can be found here.
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About the Community Champion Award
The Community Champion Award, presented by Mom’s Meals and USAging, applauds case managers for raising awareness about nutrition in their local communities and among the clients they serve. Nutrition is crucial for managing chronic health conditions, living independently at home and reducing the impact of social determinants of health. To learn more and to nominate a case manager, go to MomsMeals.com/communitychampion.
About Mom’s Meals
Mom’s Meals provides fully prepared, refrigerated, home-delivered meals through Medicaid or Medicare Advantage health plan benefits or for direct purchase. Mom’s Meals delivers nationwide and offers many medically tailored options for different health conditions. Its long-term care, chronic care and post-discharge care programs allow clients to lead healthier lives while remaining independent at home. For more information, visit www.MomsMeals.com.
About USAging
USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Our members help older adults and people with disabilities throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information, visit www.usaging.org.