NEWS

The Health Living Center of Excellence welcomes Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation as a new partner

Feb 16, 2016

By Jennifer Raymond, Director, Healthy Living Center of Excellence

Two Healthy Aging Collaborative members,  Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and Hebrew SeniorLife, recently received a $49,187 grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation to support their collaboration on the Healthy Living Center of Excellence (HCLE). The HCLE offers more than 14 evidence-based wellness, prevention and disease management programs statewide aimed at improved health outcomes and increased social engagement.

The grant will make it possible for the Healthy Living Center of Excellence to offer additional trainings for lay leaders throughout Massachusetts and make Healthy Eating for Successful Living workshops available to more older adults.

This is the Foundation’s first grant awarded to support active living and healthy aging. “Eating healthy food and staying active can enhance the quality of life for people of all ages, including those over 65,” said Karen Voci, president of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation. “These workshops provide critical information that will promote independence and well-being, and empower seniors to make healthy choices and help them live a long and enriched life.”

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and Hebrew SeniorLife, through their Healthy Living Center of Excellence, will grow the Healthy Eating for Successful Living program within Massachusetts, as well as exploring opportunities to partner and introduce the program in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maine. Through regional trainings, more than 60 new leaders will be deployed to offer 70 workshops, reaching 1,000 program participants.  As of January 12, four two-day trainings have taken place, with more than 50 leaders now available to deliver the program in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese.

“As a direct result of the support of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, nutrition education programs are now available in communities not previously served,” said Rosanne DiStefano, Executive Director of Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. “These participants will develop the skills needed to improve their health and lives, and to become more active advocates for age friendly communities throughout the state.”

To find a Healthy Eating for Successful Living program near you, visit the Healthy Living Center of Excellence’s Workshop Schedule: http://www.healthyliving4me.org/workshop-schedule/.

Learn more: