Friday, December 5, 2014
The Maine Health Access Foundation, a statewide organization that helps uninsured and underserved populations receive health care, has chosen Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition and Healthy Peninsula (of Blue Hill) as two of four recipients for “Thriving in Place” grants.
The funds are designed to be used over three years. They’ll help the receiving organizations identify resources and needs and then develop plans to keep people with chronic health conditions in their homes and communities, instead of being admitted to hospitals or long-term care institutions, according to a press release from the foundation.
“Because Maine has the oldest population and one of the highest rates of disability in the nation, it is critical that Maine communities find efficient ways to support people, particularly those who are older, so they stay healthy and receive needed care and support at home,” said Dr. Wendy Wolf, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer.
“Mainers overwhelmingly say that they want to remain living independently in their homes and communities. Through the Thriving in Place initiative, community organizations work together with residents to help people successfully manage chronic conditions so they can stay at home and out of the hospital or nursing home.”
To help residents stay at home, each grant recipient will be engaging a spectrum of health care providers and community partners, including social service and emergency response agencies. Some projects involve over 20 partner organizations.
“Tapping into both formal and informal community resources meets the real needs of people at lower cost,” according to Dr. Becky Hayes Boober, the foundation’s senior program officer. “One neighbor might need a day center for dementia care, while another might only need someone to shovel snow to be able to remain healthy in the community.”