$1.25 million secured in federal funding for senior health care

Milford, Del. – Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D – Delaware) helped secure a $1.25 million federal grant for Education, Health, Research International, one of four recipients in the country to win funding for improving behavioral health in seniors.

On Monday, the senator made a visit to Milford Wellness Village, an integrated, community-based care system for seniors in which EHRI is headquartered.

ENRI Chief Strategy Officer Rabbi Yitzchok Halberstam said the funding will help seniors live more independent lives by bolstering EHRI’s care and outreach programs on chronic diseases and behavioral challenges.

“It takes away the stigma of those with behavioral health challenges,” he said. “And it also will help tie together the many different types of providers in Milford Wellness Village.”

One of those providers is PACE Your LIFE. PACE stands for Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly, which is funded by Medicaid and Medicare, according to Executive Director Sonja Fulton.

Fulton said they hope the new funding will allow them to expand into areas beyond southern Delaware.

“Because there’s such a need for this program,” she said. “There’re so many people, older adults out there that are struggling and their caregivers are struggling to just stay at home.”

Felton also said the funding couldn’t come at a better time, as Delaware’s aging population continues to grow.

“Our population is aging rapidly, and people want to stay home,” she said. “They want to age in their homes and community where they feel safe and happiest. And that is the goal of this program.”