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November 20, 2014

Maine communities to receive $1M for elder care

Bucksport and three other Maine communities are receiving a total of $1 million in grants from the Maine Health Access Foundation in its effort to improve patient-centered care for the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

The Augusta-based nonprofit announced last week the awarding of grants to the communities of Bucksport, Presque Isle, Dover-Foxcroft and Blue Hill. The following community organizations received funding:

• Aroostook Area Agency on Aging Inc., Presque Isle, $252,250

• Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition, Bucksport, $220,144

• Charlotte White Center, Dover-Foxcroft $300,000

• Washington Hancock County Action , Blue Hill, $300,000

The funding is part of the foundation's "Thriving in Place" grant initiative, which seeks to develop plans to help the elderly and those with chronic health conditions stay in their homes, as opposed to being admitted to hospitals or long-term care institutions.

Dr. Wendy Wolf, the foundation's president and CEO, said in a prepared statement that "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."

"Mainers overwhelmingly say that they want to remain living independently in their homes and communities," she continued. "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."

Patient-centered care has been on the rise in Maine, with upwards of 175 primary care practices out of 500 across the state beginning to implement the new approach, as reported by Mainebiz. The health care initiative has emerged as a way to improve preventive health and reduce costs.

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