Berkeley, CA – November 17, 2024 – In a country where 77% of adults over 50 want to age in their homes, yet only 1% of U.S. homes are equipped for aging in place (Forbes Health, 2024), a Berkeley-based nonprofit is bringing forward an innovative solution. At Home With Growing Older (AHWGO) has been awarded a 2024 Thome Aging Well Innovation Grant to expand their program, Aging 360, beyond California’s borders through partnerships in Maryland and Michigan.
The Thome Aging Well program is a six-year, $19 million initiative from Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) to help older adults living in affordable communities age safely and securely at home.
“Our Aging 360 program is transforming how older adults can approach aging in place by empowering them to make simple, low-cost or no-cost, age-friendly changes to their living spaces,” says AHWGO Executive Director, Architect Susanne Stadler. “We are excited that what began as a Bay Area initiative in collaboration with eight community partners serving diverse communities is now being recognized for its nationwide potential.”
Funded by the Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, Bank of America trustee, the program will award $9 million over the next 24 months to support 17 organizations reimagining the way care is provided for older adults in Michigan and Maryland.
“Research has shown us that social isolation and housing instability can have significant, adverse impacts on the health outcomes of older adults,” said Stephany De Scisciolo, VP of Impact, Evaluation, and Population Health at Enterprise. “We look forward to supporting the incredible work of these grantees and their commitment to a future where community care for older adults is readily accessible to all.”
The Thome Aging Well program has already touched close to 12,000 older adults in Michigan and Maryland through previous funding rounds to scale aging-in-place initiatives with a proven track record of impact.
This round of funding is projected to impact 20,000 older adults in Michigan and Maryland. The grant consists of two phases: a planning phase lasting up to six months with up to $100,000 in planning support to each organization to allow for additional ideation, and an implementation phase of up to two years, and up to $1 million with peer-to-peer connection and capacity building support offered throughout.
