PROVIDENCE – Tufts Health Plan Foundation has awarded $315,000 to three Rhode Island organizations, part of the nonprofit organization’s 15-grant, $1.9 million effort to make cities and towns in New England friendlier to aging populations.
Tufts awarded agencies in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Grants in Rhode Island:
A two-year grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation will help the Rhode Island Parent Information Network continue to operate wellness programs for seniors statewide, and to develop a model for sustainable reimbursement from health care organizations.
The $170,000 grant will to be used for four programs that offer advice on healthy living, help with balance and fall prevention, diabetes prevention and tools for caregivers.
The Cranston-based organization also hopes to use some of the grant money to expand its programs across the state, although no specific locations have been decided on, RIPIN spokesman Mark Gray said.
RIPIN received a $63,085 grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation award program in 2018 for evidence-based health promotion as well.
Studies done over lengthy periods of time have shown the outreaches to be effective and result in good outcomes, Gray added.
“Thanks to our strong partnership with Tufts Health Plan Foundation, RIPIN connected more than 1,000 patients to evidence-based health promotion programs in 20 cities and towns throughout Rhode Island in 2018,” said Sam Salganik, RIPIN’s executive director, in a statement. “With this continued commitment, we will be able to bring these programs to even more Rhode Island seniors, allowing them to take control over their health and well-being, while simultaneously improving health outcomes and lowering health care costs.”
Rhode Island Public Health Institute in Providence received a one-year grant for $95,000 to expand its “Food on the Move” mobile-markets program to a new site and to study how healthy diets impact seniors.
Saint Elizabeth Community in Warwick received a one-year $50,000 grant to expand its services at home program, which provides supportive housing for older people, to three Rhode Island sites that are not managed by Saint Elizabeth Community.
Saint Elizabeth Community also received a $49,500 grant supporting its expansion of support and services at home in 2018.
“Each community has its own unique needs. Tufts Health Plan Foundation focuses resources in communities that want to achieve age-friendly practices that are relevant, focus on underrepresented communities and engage older people in the process,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president of corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan. “We are proud to support organizations that are responding to the needs of older people in their communities.”
