The Tufts Health Plan Foundation has announced grants totaling more than $1.6 million to thirty-four organizations for programs that assist older adults and seniors in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Awarded through the foundation's Health and Wellness, Purposeful Engagement, and Empowerment programs, the grants will support organizations and groups working to provide seniors with health education, social and physical activity, and other services that promote the overall health and well-being of older adults.

Massachusetts-based recipients include the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, MA/NH Chapter for a program that provides support for informal care givers of people with dementia; Jewish Family and Children's Service for its Aging Well at Home program; and the Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry for a program that connects disadvantaged seniors with healthy food. Rhode Island-based grant recipients include the YMCA of Greater Providence for a program focused on healthy lifestyles for people age 60 or older; the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to help address the meal gap for seniors in the state; and the Rhode Island Free Clinic in support of healthy lifestyles programming for older adults and seniors.

"Health and wellness programs are critical to healthy aging, but so are programs that change people's lives through social and purposeful engagement," said Tufts Health Plan Foundation president David Abelman. "We're proud to partner with a diverse group of nonprofit organizations that recognize how important health education, social connections, physical activity and community service are to improving the overall health and well-being of a growing population of older adults."