The Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation awarded the grant to the College of Nursing through its Innovations in Care program, which is a multi-year initiative created to develop nursing-driven projects targeted toward vulnerable populations.

The state of Michigan is matching the grant, which gives the college a total of $1.2 million in funding.

All funds will support the MiCAPABLE program, which provides home care and other services to allow older adults stay in their homes and communities. With such support, they aren’t forced to enter an assisted-living home.

Program participants will receive 12 weeks of home visits from a registered nurse and an occupational therapist. They will also have access to a handyman to help them with problems in their homes that they might be difficult for them to fix.

Other services include home modifications, such as the installation of bathroom grab bars, and training on how to avoid falls.

The Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation selected the College of Nursing as one of the 23 finalists to receive the grant from more than 260 applications.

“As a nursing student at Michigan State, I think it’s a huge honor that we were chosen out of so many other eligible nursing schools,” said nursing senior Mary-Jo Julin. “This will give us the opportunity to expand and allow us to advance our programs, while at the same time, enhancing our education and learning experiences.”