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Elliott receives award  for gerontology practice

The Daily Reflector - 4/17/2017

Sharon J. Elliott, the healthy aging specialist for the Council on Aging, recently received the Emerging and Innovative Practice Award from the American Occupational Therapy Association for exemplary gerontology practice with an aging agency.

Only six occupational therapists have earned this distinguished award since its establishment. The award was presented during the AOTA Annual Conference and Expo held in Philadelphia.

Elliott also was an invited speaker for the AOTA and presented research findings from a falls prevention study to more than 250 people. Additionally, she conducted a poster presentation in Philadelphia titled Falls Prevention Services within an Aging Agency to more than 200 occupational therapy practitioners and students.

The American Occupational Therapy Association also recently approved the recertification of Elliott in gerontology. She is one of only 25 occupational therapists across the United States who has received this recognition. In addition, Elliott recently assisted on the development of a falls prevention continuing education course that will be distributed nationwide to more than 30,000 nurses.

Elliott’s position as the healthy aging specialist at the Council on Aging involves helping individuals age more safely in their homes. The Healthy Aging and Injury Prevention program she manages assists Pitt County adults age 55 and older to reduce their fall risk, lessen their fear of falling, and assist them to age in place through falls risk assessments, home safety assessments, aging in place assessments, education, and recommendations.

Additionally, the COA helps with the installation of grab bars and/?or stair handrails, as well as modifications to help individuals age in place.

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