Westbrook Housing Authority and UNE to launch health care partnership for aging Mainers

have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a three-year, multi-phase student placement and research partnership serving seniors aging in place in affordable housing

The multi-phase student placement and research partnership will serve seniors aging in place in affordable housing.

The Westbrook Housing Authority (WHA) and the 正规澳门赌场网络老龄研究中心 & 健康 (UNE CEAH) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a three-year, multi-phase student placement and research partnership serving seniors aging in place in affordable housing, 多亏了20美元,000 grant generously provided by Gorham Savings Bank.

通过这种伙伴关系, UNE and WHA aim to demonstrate “proof of concept” for future collaborations between medical universities and local housing authorities serving low-income populations, which often lack ready access to quality medical and 牙科 care.

Under the agreement, UNE will place clinical students from the 口腔医学, 口腔卫生, 物理治疗, 社会工作 programs at the Westbrook Housing Authority, where they will provide free or reduced-cost, faculty-supervised care visits with senior residents. The program will be open to all senior residents living in any of Westbrook Housing’s fifteen apartment complexes, which collectively serve 638 households. By bringing services directly to low-income seniors, the program will reduce the physical and financial burdens of traveling to certain health appointments. 同时, UNE students will gain practical clinical and research experience while making a tremendous positive impact on the lives of aging Mainers.

“Our partnership with the 正规澳门赌场网络 is based on a mutual understanding of and respect for aging Mainers,Chris LaRoche说, executive director of the Westbrook Housing Authority. “This important funding from Gorham Savings will further help our residents to live healthy, independent lives so they may safely age in place. Mobility is often one of the biggest challenges, 并与UNE合作, 我们可以提供世界一流的医疗服务, 牙科, 物理治疗 and 社会工作 services to our residents right at home while supporting the very research on aging that will improve our understanding of seniors’ specific housing needs.”

To administer the program, UNE will locate a satellite office of its 老龄研究中心 & 健康 at WHA’s newly renovated Larrabee Woods facility, which will serve as the collaboration’s central hub. Due to the active COVID-19 pandemic, the program is expected to launch with virtual-only visits until deemed safe by public health officials. 2020年10月, WHA opened a new telehealth suite in Larrabee Woods to accommodate remote medical appointments for residents.

“Despite the challenges of this pandemic, Westbrook Housing’s invitation to join together and create meaningful services for residents could not have come at a better time, as many of our professional disciplines are reimagining how they can best prepare students to provide excellent care for their future patients,”医生说。. Tom Meuser博士., founding director of the UNE CEAH and professor of Social Work. “While specific clinics and placements are still in their formative stages, I see great potential for a truly interdisciplinary outreach satellite linking students and faculty from all of our colleges.”

Dr. Meuser is a clinical psychologist, 应用老年学专家, a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.

“As a longtime supporter of Westbrook Housing Authority, Gorham Savings Bank is proud to play a small part in this innovative partnership which we believe will have a tremendously positive impact for both students and residents,Steve deCastro说, president and CEO of Gorham Savings Bank.