Grand Traverse Pavilions has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation.

The grant, which will be presented to the Pavilions on July 19, will help train staff to adhere to Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) standards, which is an alternative to long-term institutional care for seniors with chronic medical needs who can live safely and independently with support.

"With the help of this funding, Grand Traverse Pavilions expects to reduce inpatient admissions, reduce emergency department visits, lower mortality rates, and improve overall patient satisfaction," Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation said in a press release announcing the grant.

The Pavilions is the largest owned skilled nursing facility in the state, and is launching a full-time PACE facility on Garfield Road in the former Grand Traverse County Health Department building.