Kalamazoo, MI – Centrica Care Navigators has been awarded $495,000 from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Healthy Aging Grant. These funds will be used to increase education about, and provide more equitable access to, palliative end-of-life care in rural Van Buren and Cass counties.

Palliative care is specialized symptom management for people with an advanced serious illness. Many people, even medical professionals, don’t know much about palliative care, or where they can find a care provider.

The Healthy Aging Grant will help improve awareness and support education about palliative care. Centrica Care Navigators will host in-person presentations with primary care providers, adult living facilities, and other community organizations to explain the characteristics and benefits of palliative care.

“We expect to see significant growth in our older population over the next 25 years. There will be an increased need for quality palliative care,” said Rachel Dedes, AVP of Palliative Care. “This award will help us improve the level of care for thousands of people in Van Buren and Cass counties now and in the future.”

Patients in rural parts of Van Buren and Cass counties often have to drive 30 to 40 miles each way to the closest palliative care service. With this award, trained Centrica Care Navigators staff will be able to visit patients in their own homes, saving patients time and expenses, and reducing stress at a pressure-filled point in their lives.

“By expanding its palliative care program, Centrica will support more older adults in managing their serious and/or chronic illnesses at home or in nursing facilities,” said Velma Hendershott, President and CEO of Bangor, Michigan, based InterCare Community Health Network. “We look forward to partnering with them in a greater capacity to serve this very vulnerable population.”

About Centrica Care Navigators

Centrica Care Navigators provides care of the body, mind, and spirit for the residents of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Eaton, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.

Service is available to everyone, even those without insurance coverage.