Commissioner Mae Carpenter of Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services has received a first-time Director’s Distinguished Achievement in Aging award from the New York State Office for the Aging.

She was one of 10 individuals in the state who received the special recognition because of their “significant contributions to the field of aging during their careers,” said OFA Director Michael J. Burgess. Carpenter’s award was in the “Innovation in the Aging Network and Community Building” category.

May is Older Americans Month, and the award was presented as part of  New York’s celebration to honor senior citizens and those who work with them.

Recipients of the Director’s Achievement in Aging award had to meet five criteria such as having worked at least 25 years in the field of aging. Another criterion: person must have founded, or been instrumental in founding or expanding a prominent organization, service or agency that had a significant effect on the lives and well-being of older New Yorkers.

Carpenter, a resident of Mount Vernon and a champion for seniors for more than 30 years, was appointed commissioner of the Department of Senior Programs and Services in 2001. Prior to that, she had been director of the county’s Office for the Aging – DSPS’ forerunner – since 1979. Carpenter is recognized nationwide as an authority on seniors and issues that affect their lives, and speaks extensively about the elderly across the country.

She spearheads DSPS’ signature project – the Livable Communities initiative. The initiative’s goal is to enhance the quality of life for people of all ages and to develop ways for seniors to continue to live in their homes as they grow older with dignity, independence and civic involvement.

“The time could not be more right for communities to come together and sustain a healthy quality of life for their older citizens,” Carpenter said. “Not only is it the humanitarian thing to do but it continues to recognize and accept the valuable contributions that seniors have made to their communities, to their children and to their families. It continues to encourage seniors to contribute.”

Carpenter also received an award this spring from Hudson Valley Home Matters, a new “aging-in-place” organization in Dutchess County. She was presented with the award and was also the keynote speaker at its forum on “Aging in Place in Livable Communities,” which took place at the Wallace Center at Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park.

“Carpenter’s creation of the countywide Livable Communities Village Program and her support of Westchester's ‘aging in place’ initiatives are invaluable to seniors who want to live active and independent lives in their own communities,” said Barbara Corona, HVHM president.  “Combine the qualities of caring, creativity, and intellect with the capacity to ‘make it happen’ for the good of others-- for this, Hudson Valley Home Matters honors Mae Carpenter.”