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1991.11.18 :  Awards -- Eldercare Awareness Projects

Contact:  Carol Crecy (202) 619-0011
November 18, 1991

       HHS Commissioner on Aging Joyce T. Berry, Ph.D., today
announced the award of funds totaling approximately $1.1 million
to 11 organizations and institutions to support projects that
will build public awareness about eldercare in organizations
whose predominant focus is not aging.  The awards are intended to
involve the members/affiliates of these organizations in efforts
to enhance knowledge among their membership, as well as the
general public, of issues facing our increasingly aging society
and of the need to take action now to prepare for an aging
society.     
     The projects are part of an overall effort of the National
Eldercare Campaign, recently launched by Commissioner Berry to
draw greater attention to the special needs of the vulnerable
elderly by all Americans and involve all sectors of society on
behalf of frail older persons at risk of losing their
independence.
       Commissioner Berry said, "Many aging-specific
organizations have made significant progress toward increasing
public awareness of concerns relative to aging.  It is my intent,
however, through these projects, to encourage national
organizations and associations which have not had a predominant
focus on aging to broaden their goals to include the promotion of
awareness activities on behalf of older people.  Of particular
interest is the utilization of opportunities for these groups to
adopt or integrate eldercare into their ongoing agendas."
       Awards for projects with a duration of 17 months were made
to the following 11 organizations and institutions: 
     .    Catholic Charities USA
     .    The National Council of Negro Women 
     .    American Medical Association
     .    National Easter Seal Society 
     .    Public Health Foundation
     .    The Health Insurance Association of America
     .    National Black Caucus of State Legislators
     .    The American Institute of Architects/American Council
          of Schools of Architecture
     .    National Association of Social Workers
     .    American National Red Cross
     .    The National Association of Counties

       The Administration on Aging, an agency of the Department
of Health and Human Services, serves as a focal point within the
federal government for the needs and concerns of older people.

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