Luella Hannan, the founder & philanthropist, had a laser focus, understanding community needs, forged roads on how to care way ahead of her time.

Redefining Aging: Purpose, Advocacy, and Community – Celebrating 100 Years of Service

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Building Legacy and Dignity for the Elderly: Hannan Center Celebrates 100 Years of Service

The Hannan Center story is amazing and shines a light on Luella Hannan, the founder and philanthropist who had a laser focus on understanding community needs, forged roads on how to care way ahead of her time. Despite facing legal challenges, she established a model for supporting older adults that later influenced Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Our host, Lori La Bey, talks with Vincent Tilford, the President and CEO of the Hannan Center, a Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults in metro Detroit. With over 30 years of leadership in housing, community development, and aging services, he has expanded Hannan’s endowment, implemented a fund development plan, and led major facility renovations supporting dementia care and the arts.

Hannan’s Centennial Senior Support Celebration

Vince discussed Hannan’s 100-year history of supporting seniors to age in place, including their current programs like the Emerge Art Festival, which demonstrates how art improves health outcomes for older adults. The organization celebrated its anniversary through events at the Detroit Historical Museum, a centenarian celebration featuring interviews and gifts, and an upcoming 70 Over 70 awards ceremony recognizing 70 individuals across seven categories.

Vince emphasized that purpose and community connections are essential for aging well, referencing Blue Zones research, which found that having a sense of purpose and being part of an intergenerational community are key factors for longevity.

Creative Aging at the Hannan Center

Vince discussed the Hannan Center’s mission to support seniors through creative aging programs, including the Beyond U curriculum and art gallery, which showcases older adult artists. He highlighted the Emerge Art Festival, a juried competition for artists 55 and older, and emphasized the importance of art as a tool for connection between caregivers and care recipients.

Vince also described the social work program, which provides case management, counseling, and community resource navigation, supporting approximately 1,500 people annually, including an adult day program for those with dementia.

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Adult Day Program Operations Overview

Vince discussed the history and operations of an adult day program that opened in January 2020 and closed in March of the same year due to COVID-19, before reopening a year later. The program, which operates from 9 to 5, offers affordable care for individuals with dementia diagnoses and provides significant support for their caregivers through various programming and services.

Vince highlighted the importance of building trust with caregivers and mentioned initiatives like quarterly spa days, support groups, and evidence-based programs from institutions like the Rosalyn Carter Institute and Johns Hopkins University to help caregivers manage challenging behaviors associated with dementia care.

Improving Senior Care Through Relationships

Lori and Vince discussed challenges in adult day care and senior housing, particularly staffing issues and turnover rates. Vince highlighted their program’s success in maintaining low turnover through relationship-based care, competitive wages, and training, achieving a client-to-staff ratio of 3-4:1. Lori expressed frustration with the lack of stability and trust from her own experience looking for care for a loved one, as well as comments from members of support groups dealing with all companies, large and small. She emphasized the need for consistent, relationship-focused care, especially for individuals with dementia.

Facility’s Approach to Participant Agency

Vince explained that their facility is located on Wayne State University’s campus, providing access to interns from the School of Social Work, nursing school, and occupational therapy school for field placements. He emphasized that while they offer various activities, they do not push participants to engage if they are unwilling, instead focusing on increasing the agency of individuals in their program.

Lori highlighted the importance of balancing engagement with relaxation, referencing Harry Urban’s experience with dementia, and Vince agreed, stressing that their programming aims to develop skills and talents rather than just keeping participants busy. Vince also discussed their use of occupational therapy to assess participants’ well-being and provide caregivers with valuable insights.

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Quality Care for Aging Residents

Vince and Lori discussed the importance of providing quality care for older people, emphasizing the need for compassionate and dedicated staff who enjoy working with this demographic. They highlighted how misconceptions about aging can lead to surprising discoveries about residents’ capabilities, such as engaging in activities like sewing.

Vince shared an example of a program involving residents making throw pillows, which impressed caregivers and provided residents with a sense of purpose and competence. Both agreed on the significance of understanding the perspective of those living with dementia, referencing movies like “Still Alice” and “A Timeless Love” to illustrate the diverse approaches families take in caring for loved ones with dementia.

Dementia Care and Support Initiatives

Lori and Vince discussed the importance of recognizing and nurturing the capabilities of individuals with dementia, emphasizing the impact of supportive environments and relationships. Vince shared insights about the Daybreak program, which serves 45-50 families annually and supports both participants and caregivers through transitions and behavioral challenges. They explored the value of adapting to life changes, allowing for meaningful connections and shared experiences, and discussed the complexities of Medicare enrollment.