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Fairview, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Access to health care services

Description: To help people living in rural areas access health care at home, this project piloted a remote cardiac rehabilitation program. Medical Center staff selected participants who were recovering from cardiac events but had a low to moderate risk of developing complications. They provided patients with equipment to monitor their health, including scales, internet-enabled blood pressure cuffs, wearable health monitoring devices and a one-year subscription to monitoring software. Since 2020, the Fairview Regional Medical Center Authority as worked to expand the program to people with chronic health conditions. Additionally, organizers say they are looking into ways to replicate the telemedicine project in other communities.

Arlington, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Access to health care services

Description: Many older adults in Arlington struggled to access health and social services due to limited internet access, language barriers and lack of trusted guidance. Arlington Neighborhood Village began Phase I of its Senior Ambassador Program by creating a comprehensive resource guide and handbook template. These steps laid the foundation for recruiting 25 volunteers who shared critical information in their neighborhoods, bridging gaps in communication and trust. The effort aims to connect older adults with essential programs and reduce isolation.

Clarendon County, SC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Access to health care services

Description: To provide free primary care services in rural South Carolina, the Town of Summerton set out to a mobile health clinic. The town received two donated shipping containers. They worked to retrofit one to become the new mobile clinic and the other to store medical equipment. A generator provides power to the mobile unit, allowing the Town to deploy it in remote areas. After completing construction, the Town plans to donate the clinic to a local health care provider. Project organizers hope this helps uninsured and low-income community members access medical care.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Tallahassee, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options

Description: Transportation barriers in Leon County left many older adults missing medical appointments and struggling with food insecurity. The project provided over 600 rides for people age 50-plus to health care, food pantries and essential services, improving access and reducing stress. Nearly half of the trips were for food, and others connected veterans to VA care. One rider said the program let her visit her church pantry safely and gave her a reliable transportation option.

Clearwater, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Many older adults in Pinellas County face food insecurity and lack access to nutritious meals due to transportation barriers and limited cooking facilities. To address this, 360 Eats purchased commercial freezers and refrigerators and expanded storage for rescued food. This enabled its mobile kitchen to deliver over 1,300 chef-prepared meals to older adults at six sites. The upgrade also supported pop-up meal service for hurricane-displaced residents. The project improved health and reduced isolation by bringing meals directly to older adults. One recipient said, "You're really giving us what we need: a real meal," and noting how important nutrition is to him.

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