Bloomington hospital receives $1.5M gift for eldercare services
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IU Health Bloomington Hospital has received a $1.5 million gift to create an endowed fund to support its dementia care efforts.
The contribution by the Moore-Headley families and senior living facility operator CarDon & Associates to the hospital’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Services program will be matched by IU Health for a total of $3 million, the health system said.
“Visionary philanthropists are vital to our ability to look beyond today, to think innovatively, to stretch further, to accelerate implementation, to take the risks that lead to breakthroughs,” IU Health Foundation President Crystal Miller said in a written statement. “IU Health is profoundly grateful to the Moore and Headley families and CarDon and Associates for their transformational approach in addressing the unique needs of the aging population and the nationwide shortage of people to care for them.”
About 1 in 9 Americans age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 6.9 million people. By 2050, the number is projected to reach 12.7 million.
“For us, it’s personal,” said Stephen G. Moore, a member of the CarDon board who also serves on the IU Health Foundation board.
CarDon was founded in 1977 by Carroll and Donna Moore.
The endowed fund will support eldercare services and resources with a focus on people living with dementia, IU Health said. The money also will help fuel workforce development in the field of eldercare.
IU Health Bloomington Hospital’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Services program offers help to those who live with dementia and those who care for them through efforts such as educational events, support groups, advocacy initiatives and a resource library, IU Health said.
“I appreciate IU Health’s recognition that the caregivers and families need significant assistance and education, just as I did when learning to care for my mother,” CarDon President and CEO Kent Rodgers said in written remarks.
In recognition of the gift, a space connecting two parts of IU Health Bloomington Hospital will be named The CarDon Connector.