WARWICK – Tufts Health Plan Foundation has awarded the nonprofit Saint Elizabeth Community a $65,000 grant to bolster their coordination of care for independent older adults living with chronic diseases, Saith Elizabeth Community announced Thursday.
Funds from the grant will go towards expanding the organization’s model of care to other locations.
The care coordination program piloted at Saint Elizabeth Place is designed around the Support and Services at Home model which originates in Vermont. Studies have shown that participation in the program can reduce Medicare expenditures for members by $1,700 to $2,100 annually.
“Saint Elizabeth Community is grateful to Tufts Health Plan Foundation for their continued support of this innovative program that seeks to improve the health and well-being of seniors living independently,” said Steven J. Horowitz, president and CEO of Saint Elizabeth Community. He added that the Tufts grant is the second award the Community has received specifically to expand its SASH programming in Rhode Island.
“Our investments focus on improving community livability and addressing inequities to help older adults live healthier, fulfilling lives,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president, corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan. “We want to honor communities where they are and catalyze health improvements for older adults and the entire community.”
The grant given to Saint Elizabeth Community was one of 21 awarded to more 200 community organizations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Tufts Health Plan Foundation awards grants biannually, and in this round awarded grants totaling $1.7 million.
Saint Elizabeth Community offers apartments for independent seniors, home care services, adult day centers, affordable assisted living, skilled nursing and rehab care.
Kyle Borowski is a PBN contributing writer.
