Evangelical Homes receives a grant from the DMC Foundation to Create Affordable Care for the Elderly

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. - Dec. 22, 2015 - PRLog -- FARMINGTON MI, December 21^st, 2015 – EHM announced the receipt of a grant from the DMC Foundation to support the development of the Community Share of Michigan Program - a program designed to make non-certified home care services more affordable for seniors.

When you are a low-income senior, the government provides a roof over your head through HUD-subsidized housing and basic healthcare through the Medicaid program. But, there are currently no affordable resources available to help with the everyday challenges of daily living, such as making meals, light housekeeping, bathing, medication management, or help with getting in and out of bed. Those services are considered a luxury and available to those who can afford to hire and pay for the services out-of-pocket.  On average, an older adult who needs help with minor, day-to-day tasks will pay a private duty service rate of about $24/hour and there is often a four-hour daily minimum to access such help. This can make the service cost prohibitive for seniors on a fixed income.  The Community Share of Michigan program allows seniors to reserve assistance in as little as 15 minute increments.  This means seniors can get the help they need without having to accept unnecessarily long time commitments.

The Community Share of Michigan program provides service and care in affordable housing communities to assist low-income seniors to age in place and remain independent for as long as possible. The “sharing” of home health aides and private duty services essentially reduces the financial barrier that may keep many older adults from accessing services they need to stay independent. Through this program, older adults can share staff and services on an as-needed basis as a way to reduce costs. It essentially reduces the cost and eliminates the minimum daily time requirements, so that older adults are only paying for what they need, when they need it.

EHM is working in partnership with one of the country’s largest low-income property managers for seniors, National Church Residences (NCR).  In the initial phase, EHM will target two low-income congregate housing complexes in Detroit, which will directly impact 130 low-income older adults. It will also enable EHM to begin to offer services to the nearly 109,000 older adults who reside within a five-mile radius of the properties. In phase two, EHM hopes to implement the model in 13 other low-income congregate housing complexes and their surrounding communities in Southeast Michigan.

“EHM has been providing services to seniors in Michigan for over 136 years.  This grant allows us to expand our efforts to provide support to seniors who need a little extra support and would not benefit from this type of help without this program,” said Denise Rabidoux, EHM’s President and CEO.

As part of the Community Share of Michigan program, each participant will have access to technology to help monitor their activity.  If needed, a client will be provided with a medical alert system to detect falls.  In addition, each client will have access to a health and wellness web-based program called LivWell™ Health.  LivWell™ Health provides the client with an avenue to talk directly to a wellness coach and/or a nutritional expert, as well as arrange for transportation services. Perhaps most important, the client can use the technology to communicate with family members or other clients, which helps to decrease the isolation experienced by many seniors.

About Evangelical Homes of Michigan

Evangelical Homes of Michigan (EHM) is a health and human service organization that provides healthcare, housing and community services to seniors and their families in Southeast Michigan. Founded 136 years ago, EHM is one of the largest non-profits of its kind in Metro Detroit serving more than 5,500 individuals annually.

EHM employs more than 1,000 people and believes in community outreach and social accountability by providing 12,000 home delivered meals, administering over 800 flu shots, participating in employee food drives to stock local pantries and provide homeless children with school supplies. EHM also contributes nearly $2M annually in charitable care to help those who are unable to pay the full cost of care and services.

Industry groups and community leaders have consistently recognized EHM for its leadership and innovation over the years. Recognition includes Business of the Year by the Saline Chamber of Commerce, a Leading Edge Award from Aging Services of Michigan, the Best and Brightest Places to Work in Metro Detroit and the "Business Deal of Year" awards by the Michigan Business and Professional Association. Crain's Detroit Business ranks EHM as the 13th largest non-profit in Southeast Michigan and named EHM's CEO the Healthcare Hero of the Year in 2014.

About DMC Foundation

The DMC Foundation is dedicated to promoting the welfare of the general public in the metropolitan Detroit area through the support of health-related research, education and activities that benefit the community.  The DMC Foundation is a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.