The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (NC-FH AAA) is thrilled to announce that it received a 2026 Aging Achievement Award from USAging. The award is one of the highest honors presented by USAging to its members.

The award recognizes the NC-FH AAA’s annual Medicare Edition of Keynotes newspaper. The 2025 Medicare edition was distributed to more than 80,000 households of older Kansans and caregivers.

NC-FH AAA officials accepted USAging’s Achievement award in July. Pictured here from left to right are Mike Eidsaune, CEO of Caregiving.com, NC-FH AAA Deputy Director Kelsey Pfannenstiel and NC-FH AAA Executive Director Julie Govert Walter, USAging President Duana Patton, and John Byer, CEO of Cumulus.care . The national award was presented during A ceremony held in July 2026 in San Diego. (Photo credit: USAging)

The Keynotes’ Medicare Edition features objective, trustworthy and easy-to-understand articles and items focused on Medicare targeted to help older Kansans and caregivers during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period that happens between October 15 and December 7.

The Keynotes newspaper has been published by the NC-FH AAA regularly since 1983.

“Medicare decisions are important to every older Kansan we serve—and having useful and objective information is critical to people we serve,” said Julie Govert Walter, NC-FH AAA Executive Director. “Our Medicare Edition is the most visible piece of our Agency’s long-standing commitment to providing trustworthy, unbiased and accurate information and outreach to older Kansans and their families in the heartland,” Walter said.

The national award was among 33 local aging programs to receive honors during USAging’s 51st Annual Conference held July 18–21 in San Diego, CA. 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,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging. “They show what is possible when Area Agencies on Aging develop ways to respond to the real needs of older adults and caregivers, and we are proud to celebrate the organizations leading this important work.”

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.