United Church Homes Receives $5,000 Grant from The McGregor Foundation to Support

Educational Programming for Older Adults at South Haven Woods

Cleveland, OH (June 11, 2026)— United Church Homes (UCH) has been awarded a $5,000 grant from The McGregor Foundation to support educational programming for low-income older adults living at South Haven Woods, a UCH affordable housing community in Bedford, Ohio. The funding will launch a new series of health, wellness and enrichment programs designed to help residents age safely, independently and with greater social connection.

South Haven Woods serves adults ages 55 and older, most of whom live on fixed incomes and face barriers to accessing reliable aging-related education. The grant will support on-site educational sessions led by healthcare professionals, aging service agencies and community partners, as well as group outings to museums, theaters and other cultural destinations. These programs will benefit nearly 60 residents, offering practical tools for healthier living while creating opportunities for meaningful social engagement.

“We are deeply grateful to The McGregor Foundation for investing in the well-being of older adults in our community,” said Dan Fagan, MPA, LSW, Vice President of Care and Housing at United Church Homes. “Educational programs like these empower residents with knowledge, connection and confidence—key ingredients for aging with dignity and independence.”

The educational series will address topics such as:

• Chronic disease management
• Physical wellness and fall prevention
• Mental and cognitive health
• Social isolation and community connection
• End-of-life planning and decision-making

The grant will also fund transportation for multiple group outings, helping reduce isolation and making cultural experiences more accessible for residents who may not have other means to participate.

Founded in 1916, United Church Homes provides affordable housing, healthcare and supportive services to thousands of older adults across 15 states and two tribal nations. South Haven Woods offers HUD-subsidized housing with onsite resident service coordination, connecting residents to resources that support physical, emotional and social well-being.

The McGregor Foundation’s support strengthens UCH’s long-standing commitment to prevention-focused, person-centered services that help older adults remain independent and engaged in their communities.

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For more than a century, United Church Homes has been dedicated to transforming the lives of older adults with quality housing and compassionate care. Now recognized as the 19th largest multisite nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S., according to the 2025 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, UCH proudly serves nearly 7,000 residents across more than 90 vibrant communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. Driven by a mission to redefine aging, UCH creates a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it has the honor to serve. As a founding member of Radiant Alliance, United Church Homes continues to lead the way in shaping the future of senior living. 

The post United Church Homes Receives $5,000 Grant from The McGregor Foundation to Support Educational Programming for Older Adults at South Haven Woods appeared first on United Church Homes.

Caregivers and Technology: What Are They Using?

The survey found that caregivers are already adopting a variety of digital tools to assist in caregiving. The most commonly used technologies among current caregivers include:

• Health & fitness metric trackers – 47% report currently using for caregiving.
• Digital assistants or smart speakers – 42%.
• Fall detection/alert services – 34%.
• Home monitoring and security systems – 31%.
• Smart home utilities & energy systems – 30%.

Despite this adoption, certain caregiving technologies remain underutilized, such as medication management platforms (10% report currently using for caregiving), smart home appliances (20%), and conversational chatbots (17%).

AI in Caregiving: Cautious Optimism

When it comes to AI, most caregivers expressed a mix of interest and hesitation:

• 88% said they would trust AI answers with some hesitation.
• Only 3% would fully trust AI for caregiving information.
• And only 5% expressed complete distrust in AI answers, while another 5% were unsure.

Michael Hughes

“The findings underscore the need for caregiver-centered innovation, where technology enhances caregiving without replacing human connection,” said Michael Hughes, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer. “Caregivers are eager for tools that simplify their responsibilities, but they remain skeptical about fully handing over decision-making to AI.”

Human Connection at the Core of Caregiving Support

This research reinforces UCH’s commitment to balancing technology and human touch in caregiving. This approach is deeply embedded in its NaviGuide service coordination model, which serves at-need older adults by connecting them to needed health, wellness and social service resources in their community.

Terry Spitznagel

“NaviGuide’s model is built on a deep understanding that true engagement happens through human-to-human interactions,” said Terry Spitznagel, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer. “Compassion for caregivers and their loved ones is the cornerstone of our program’s success, addressing a critical gap in the aging journey of older adults. While authentic engagement relies on personal connection rather than automation, we strategically leverage AI to manage background operations—such as scheduling, data management, and logistics—allowing us to dedicate more time to what truly matters: delivering genuine care and compassion.”

Building the Future of Caregiving Technology

As UCH continues to explore ways to support older adults and their caregivers, this research serves as a roadmap for designing technology solutions that are practical, trustworthy, and easy to integrate into daily caregiving routines.

“Our research with the MIT AgeLab highlights that while caregivers are open to technology, they need solutions that are intuitive, reliable, and designed with their real-world challenges in mind,” said Hughes. “The next step is ensuring that these innovations truly meet their needs.”

For more information about this research or United Church Homes’ commitment to caregiver support, contact us at info@uchinc.org.

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For more than a century, United Church Homes has been dedicated to transforming the lives of older adults with quality housing and compassionate care. Now recognized as the 19th largest multisite nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S., according to the 2024 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, UCH proudly serves nearly 7,000 residents across more than 90 vibrant communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. Driven by a mission to redefine aging, UCH creates a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it has the honor to serve. As a founding member of Radiant Alliance, United Church Homes continues to lead the way in shaping the future of senior living.

The post New Research from United Church Homes and MIT AgeLab: Caregivers Embrace Technology but Approach AI with Caution appeared first on United Church Homes.