In 2024, AIHS announced it had been selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as one of only 400 organizations nationwide to participate in a new Medicare alternative payment model designed to support people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Beginning in July, we are pleased to announce the launch of the GUIDE Model of Care in northeast Indiana.

GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is a program offering ongoing support focused on improving the quality of life of individuals living alone with mild to severe dementia or living with their caregivers. Eligibility for the program requires the individual with the cognitive impairment be on Medicare (Part A & B).

In its early stages, dementia is often misdiagnosed, as it has many symptoms in common with other conditions such as depression, delirium, medication side effects and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).

At the GUIDE clinic, individuals with dementia begin receiving support straight away so they can continue living at home and their caregivers can avoid feeling burnt out. Benefits of the program include access to long term care resources, improved health outcomes for the dementia patient and reduced burden on the caregiver.

Learn more about GUIDE on our website or visit the open house!

From left to right: Sandy Markwood - CEO of USAging, Bob Blancato - President of Matz, Blancato & Associates, Kelsie Owen - VP of Nutrition and Population Health at AIHS

Kelsie Owen, Vice President of Nutrition & Population Health at AIHS, was elected to the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services (NANASP) Board of Directors at their Annual Conference on June 6th.

Kelsie joined hundreds of Meals on Wheels providers in Washington, D.C. to advocate for continued Older Americans Act funds at a level to meet increasing demand.

NANASP met with members of the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss the essential role senior nutrition services play in Indiana and across the country.

AIHS continues its Food As Medicine program bringing fresh produce to older Hoosiers. More than 36,000 pounds of fresh produce were distributed last year!

In addition, AIHS served more than 200,000 meals!

You can help us support this basic daily need by donating $50 in celebration of 50 years of service!

USAging, the national association representing the network of Area Agencies on Aging, released its resource guide on planning a vaccination clinic.

AIHS was recognized as an example of partnerships and combining clinics with existing events to help ensure the clinic met the needs of older adults in our community. 

Thank you to the following organizations who partnered with AIHS to provide more than 4,000 vaccines to older adults in northeast Indiana!

• DeKalb County Council on Aging
• Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation
• HealthVisions Midwest
• LaGrange County Council on Aging
• Noble County Council on Aging
• Steuben County Council on Aging

• Super Shot
• Topeka Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Wells County Council on Aging
• Whitley County Council on Aging

Dr. Ken Dychtwald, keynote speaker at AIHS 50th Anniversary Stakeholder Summit & Community Conversation on May 16th, is scheduled to speak at the USAging: "Answers on Aging" Conference in Chciago next month.

Dr. Dychtwald will outline four “grand challenges” needed to match our health span and brain spans to our lifespans: safeguard lifelong financial security, activate a non-ageist longevity marketplace, provide a 21st century purpose for older adults and the role of Area Agencies on Aging in addressing these challenges.

Another step forward in our integrated care journey was the construction of our very own PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Center in partnership with Parkview Health.