UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Receives Grant for Exhale – The Family Caregiver Initiative
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor the vital work of family caregivers across the nation, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and offer ways to increase support for those who provide so much care and compassion for their loved ones.
In that light, the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation is delighted to announce that it has recently received a three-year grant from Exhale – The Family Caregiver Initiative. This funding initiative, supporting family caregiver respite programs in Southeast Michigan, is made possible, thanks to a partnership of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. Eleven projects were funded in this cohort, totaling nearly $2.2 million in new Exhale grants.
A program of Brio Living Services, Huron Valley PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), with its Day Center in Ypsilanti, serves the psychosocial, medical, and supportive needs of low-income, nursing home-eligible older adults, ages 55 and older, who live in its service area of Washtenaw and Monroe counties, and parts of Oakland, Wayne, and Livingston counties. Most participants are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and pay no additional fees for PACE services.
PACE also offers respite for the caregivers of its participants. However, Huron Valley PACE Executive Director Sonja Felton, LMSW, MPA, explained that there are many older adults and their caregivers with limited means and resources, whose income is just above the eligibility threshold for PACE. “Through this project, we aim to identify these individuals and caregivers, through our own PACE enrollment team as well as through partnerships with AARP Michigan, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, and the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, to be able to provide support and respite for these caregivers who would also greatly benefit from our services,” said Felton.
“When caregivers are asked about the help they need most, they consistently rank respite among their top priorities. Increasing opportunities for caregivers to take a break will improve their—and their loved ones’—quality of life, and also benefit their loved ones,” said Neel Hajra, Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Health Endowment Fund. “That’s why we’re excited to help dozens more organizations in Southeast Michigan expand and strengthen the network of respite supports.”
“Through this project, Huron Valley PACE will offer respite, support, educational opportunities, and the gift of time for these caregivers, while also ensuring the older adult and caregivers’ families are cared for through activities, meals, and opportunities to socialize,” said Felton.
The UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation is the fundraising arm for Brio Living Services. Foundation President and CEO Kelli Smith, CFRE, said, “We are grateful to receive this Exhale grant to support the needs of family caregivers across the Huron Valley PACE service area, with the goal of making life better for both caregivers and their loved ones. This wonderful collaboration of local nonprofits and funders is in keeping with Brio Living Services’ vision of ‘a world in which all are empowered to age well.’”
PACE offers a cost-effective alternative to nursing home care, providing overall savings of 40% to the State of Michigan compared to traditional nursing home care. PACE’s interdisciplinary team of professionals provides participants with a “one-stop” shop model for all their healthcare needs, including comprehensive medical, occupational and physical therapy, pharmacy needs, nutrition and meals, health education, social and recreational activities, and door-to-door transportation. Most participants are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and pay no additional fees for PACE services.
Brio Living Services’ PACE programs serves approximately 1,100 older adults across Michigan each year. Learn more about Brio Living Services’ PACE programs located in Ypsilanti, Jackson, Muskegon, and Holland.