State Awards $1.1 Million in Grants to Expand Hospital to Home Program 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration recently awarded $1.1 million in grants to acute-care hospitals and aging services access points (ASAPs) across Massachusetts to expand the Hospital to Home Partnership Program. The program provides specialized expertise to hospitals to support discharges directly to a patient’s home, rather than to a skilled-nursing facility or other long-term care setting. 

“More patients should be able to recover and receive care within the comfort of their homes and communities,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “Through these partnerships, patients will have the support they need to return to their community and continue receiving care, improving health outcomes and alleviating pressure on hospital resources and staff.” 

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act Home and Community-based Services, grant awardees will use these funds to create innovative transitions from a hospital to a patient’s home. Funds will also be used to hire personnel who will be dedicated to connecting patients ready for discharge with home- and community-based alternatives, instead of a skilled-nursing facility. 

Grants of up to $300,000 are available through the program. Grant recipients include: 

• Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands in partnership with Cape Cod Healthcare; 

• Mystic Valley Elder Services in partnership with Winchester Hospital; 

• Elder Services of Berkshire County in partnership with Berkshire Health Systems; 

• Highland Valley Elder Services in partnership with Cooley Dickinson Hospital; 

• AgeSpan Inc. in partnership with Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital; and 

• Minuteman Senior Services in partnership with Emerson Hospital. 

There are 24 regional ASAPs throughout Massachusetts that provide programs and services designed specifically to support adults to age in their community, from exploring care options and assistance with nutrition and food security to supporting adults with housing, health, financial wellness, transportation, and safety. 

“This investment in community-based care comes at a time when it is needed most,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh said. “In addition to providing individuals with the supports they need after leaving the hospital, this program will also help open beds for other patients who require an acute level of care.” 

Acting Elder Affairs Secretary Robin Lipson added that “these grants are investments in developing long-standing relationships between our hospitals and ASAPs, which have extraordinary expertise in community-based services that are needed for people to recover at home. I am excited to see the innovative ways in which these grants will enable seamless discharges to the community.”