Senior Whole Health by Molina Healthcare and Commonwealth Care Alliance Awarded $150,000 Massachusetts Grant Supporting Health and Well-being of Boston Seniors at Affordable Housing Sites
Media Contact: Ben Jackey, Ben.Jackey@molinahealthcare.com, (502) 377-9484
Sarah Magazine, SMagazine@commonwealthcare.org, (617) 470-6755
Funding from Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services expands innovative model addressing unmet social and medical needs for residents at senior affordable housing sites.
BOSTON, August 13, 2024 – Senior Whole Health by Molina Healthcare (“Senior Whole Health”) and Commonwealth Care Alliance (“CCA”) are proud to announce a transformative collaboration with Hebrew SeniorLife and the Boston Housing Authority to improve the health and well-being of Massachusetts seniors through the expansion of place-based supports (PBS) at MLK Towers, a senior affordable housing site in Roxbury. The PBS model supports seniors in the commonwealth by bringing social services to seniors where they live. The new partnership is supported by a $150,000 grant from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), promoting innovation and collaboration in the deployment of PBS.
According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, there are 110,000 older adults residing in senior affordable housing sites, many of whom are covered through Senior Care Options health plans, including those offered by Senior Whole Health and CCA. The concentration of seniors at these sites makes them favorable for the rollout of PBS. Through the partnership, Senior Whole Health and CCA are working together to connect seniors to culturally appropriate health resources and programming that improves health education, addresses social isolation, and increases food security.
“This partnership allows Senior Whole Health to expand on its investment in place-based supports in the commonwealth,” said Bill Graham, plan president of Senior Whole Health. “Bringing wraparound services into these facilities and eliminating barriers to critical resources helps seniors live healthier and happier lives at home. We are proud to collaborate with community-based organizations that share our commitment to helping seniors maintain their health and independence.”
Through the grant, Senior Whole Health and CCA will be integrating Hebrew SeniorLife’s Right Care, Right Place, Right Time (R3) model of care at Boston Housing Authority’s MLK Towers. The R3 model will build on the capabilities of an on-site resident service coordinator at the building to link senior residents to culturally appropriate local providers, behavioral health and wellness services, and community resources. The partnership will also facilitate health and wellness educational programming and group activities at the facility, such as community gardening, digital literacy training, meditation sessions, and fitness classes.
“Bringing services to individuals in affordable senior housing lowers barriers they may otherwise experience when attempting to access health education resources and personalized, culturally competent care management,” said Mark Waggoner, general manager of CCA Massachusetts. “This grant creates the unique opportunity for CCA, Senior Whole Health, and Hebrew SeniorLife to bring their years of experience in supporting the social, medical, and emotional needs of seniors to the residents of MLK Towers.”
About Commonwealth Care Alliance
Commonwealth Care Alliance® (CCA) is a mission-driven healthcare services organization that offers innovative health plans and care delivery programs designed for individuals with the most significant needs. With offerings in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Michigan, and California, CCA delivers comprehensive, integrated, and person-centered care by coordinating the services of local staff, provider partners, and community organizations. CCA has been recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the 2023 Disability Equality Index®, the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for companies to measure disability workplace inclusion. In addition, The Boston Globe recognized CCA as a Top Place to Work for 2022. Learn more at www.commonwealthcarealliance.org or follow CCA on Facebook or LinkedIn.
About Senior Whole Health by Molina Healthcare
Senior Whole Health, LLC provides government-funded, quality health care to low-income individuals under the Senior Care Options (SCO) program serving individuals enrolled in MassHealth and dual eligibles enrolled in Medicare and MassHealth. Senior Whole Health is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company that provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Senior Whole Health, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
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