The Michigan Health Endowment Fund (Health Fund) has awarded more than $10 million dollars to 18 organizations and agencies across the state of Michigan with awards ranging from around $250,000 to $500,000. The awards span the entire state of Michigan and were made through two programs: Healthy Aging, and Special Projects & Emerging Ideas.
The Health Fund’s 2017 Healthy Aging Initiative aims to support the needs of Michigan’s aging population: by 2030, one in four residents of the state will be over the age of 60, and the fastest growing age demographic is women over the age of 85. More than 40 percent of older adults are overweight, 80 percent have at least one chronic condition, and nearly half of all individuals over the age of 85 have some form of dementia.
“While people are living longer, they are more likely to struggle with conditions that negatively impact their independence and ultimately their quality of life,” explained Health Fund Senior Program Officer Kari Sederburg. “Through this initiative we’re supporting programs that will help Michigan residents live full lives, according to their own needs and choices, well into older age.” Sederburg noted that each grant supports either workforce development or integrated care, two goals that cut across the Health Fund’s major initiatives.
The Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center’s (MADC) Wellness Coordinator Laura Rice-Oeschger submitted an application for this grant through Michigan State University on behalf of the MADC. Her program entitled “THRIVE Network: Educating Dementia Caregivers on Wellness and Self-care” was awarded $500,000 for implementation. THRIVE is a hybrid model of in-person and virtual training that allows caregivers to access information and support from a statewide network of organizations and programs in one place, and to provide real-time feedback about their needs and experiences. Congratulations Laura! We look forward to seeing the impact that THRIVE will have on reducing caregiver burden. To read more about the MADC wellness initiative, click HERE. To read the full grant announcement and to see other awardees, click HERE.