PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook Agency on Aging is honored to announce that its Access Points initiative has received a 2026 Aging Achievement Award from USAging, one of the highest honors presented by USAging to its members. The organization’s Access Points program, which operates in 21 county communities and helps bring services closer to home for older residents and their families, was among 33 local aging programs to receive Achievement honors during USAging’s 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow, July 18–21 in San Diego. An additional 16 agencies received Innovations Awards.
The 2026 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards, supported by Caregiving.com and Cumulus.care, recognizes USAging’s Area Agency on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Program members that have found new and innovative ways to support older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers as they live in their homes and communities.
“These award-winning programs reflect the ingenuity, dedication and local leadership of Area Agencies on Aging across the country,” Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, said. “They show what is possible when communities invest in the innovative approaches that Area Agencies on Aging develop to respond to the real needs of older adults and caregivers, and we are proud to celebrate the organizations leading this important work.”
Established in September 2024 through a Congressionally Directed Spending award, the Agency’s Access Point network gives older adults local places to connect with the Agency for consultation and education. Access Points sit in trusted community facilities — libraries, town offices, rec centers — that have been furnished for comfort and outfitted for virtual conferencing. A single session broadcast from one site can now reach residents in 21 communities, from Fort Kent to Danforth. Community Resource Specialists also visit each Access Point for scheduled office hours and by-request appointments, so no one must drive to the Agency’s main office in Presque Isle for support.
For some participants, the local option is the only option. One St. John Valley man caring for his wife, who has dementia, joins a caregiver support group at his nearby Access Point — a group he could not attend if it meant driving to Presque Isle and spending hours away from his spouse.
“I’ve come to realize that the interaction with others in my situation is great,” he said. “You learn that, a lot of times, just being able to talk about it makes you feel better already.”
Others use Access Points for wellness programming: the Agency’s first Chair Yoga series, made possible by the Rodney Smith Fund of the Foundation for the Aroostook Agency on Aging, drew more than 30 people who joined from their local Access Points while the instructor taught from Presque Isle.
In the program’s nearly two years, Executive Director Joy Barresi Saucier has watched older adults across Aroostook County reach expert consultations, support groups, classes and wellness programming without leaving their own towns.
“With such a large service area, connecting with our community members as much as we would like has long been a challenge,” she said. “Access Points have changed how we work, and they let us engage more fully with people outside the central Aroostook region. Our goal was to make sure no one needed to travel a long distance to reach a staff member, in person or virtually. We’re meeting that goal every day.”
To find your local Access Point, visit aroostookaging.org/access-points.
The 2026 USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards honored traditional and new strategies in a range of categories, including agency operations, caregiving, community planning and livable communities, elder abuse prevention, health–social care integration, healthy aging, home and community-based services, housing and homelessness, nutrition, social engagement, technology, transportation and mobility and workforce development and volunteerism.
All winners are highlighted in the USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards Showcase.
The mission of the Aroostook Agency on Aging is to improve the quality of life, maximize the independence and promote the well-being of older people in northern Maine. Our Agency is the most trusted resource to help older adults age independently and achieve their fullest potential. We bring 50 years of experience to this work and offer compassion, knowledge and unbiased recommendations to older adults, caregivers, and providers. For more information, visit aroostookaging.org and follow us @AroostookAreaAgencyOnAging.
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, people with disabilities and family caregivers throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information, visit usaging.org and follow @theUSAging on Facebook, X and Instagram.
