TUFTS HEALTH PLAN FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO HONORING CHOICES MA
WATERTOWN, MA – Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced a grant of $45,000 to Honoring Choices Massachusetts to support the expansion of their Health Care Planning Ambassador Program statewide and to Rhode Island and New Hampshire. This is one of 16 new community investments totaling nearly $1.8 million that reflect the Foundation’s commitment to make our cities and towns great places to grow up and grow old.
“Each community will follow its own path to becoming age- and dementia-friendly. Support from Tufts Health Plan Foundation helps ensure resources reach underrepresented communities at greatest risk for disparities,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of the Foundation and vice president, corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan. “Everyone has a voice; it’s important that we listen.”
“This is the second year Tufts Health Plan Foundation has generously invested in the Health Care Planning Ambassador Program” says Ellen DiPaola, President & CEO, Honoring Choices MA, “which empowers seniors, and providers helping seniors, to start powerful about health care planning discussions to complete a Health Care Proxy and Personal Directive (Living Will) and get adults connected to good care in their community.”
This year the grant will support the expansion of the Ambassador Program into New Hampshire and Rhode Island, working with Age-Dementia Friendly stakeholders to address the needs of older adults who live near state borders and cross state lines for health care. Additionally Honoring Choices is closely collaborating with Massachusetts Age-Dementia Friendly experts to better understand the specific health needs of adults with dementia, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and adults experiencing isolation and homelessness, and to work together to improve access to person-directed care.
The new Tufts Health Plan Foundation grants support systems improvements and best practices. They represent collaborations with more than 300 community organizations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
About the Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Established in 2008, Tufts Health Plan Foundation supports the health and wellness of the diverse communities we serve. The Foundation has given more than $31 million to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island nonprofits that promote healthy living with an emphasis on older adults. The Foundation began funding in New Hampshire in 2016. The Tufts Health Plan Foundation funds programs that move communities toward achieving age-friendly policies and practices that are relevant, focus on older adults, and include them in community solutions. Visit www.tuftshealthplanfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
Read more about the Honoring Choices Health Care Planning Ambassador Program here.