TOLEDO, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 1, 2016-- Welltower Inc. (NYSE:HCN) announced today the launch of the Welltower Foundation. The foundation is focused on positively transforming the quality of life for an aging population, and will support organizations and innovations that promote wellness and improve care for people as they age.

The foundation will launch with a $250,000 grant to the Alzheimer’s Association in support of their Brain Ball, to be held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington D.C. on May 6, 2016. The Brain Ball is a national event designed to elevate the profile of Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on families, and raises funds for research and critical support services for individuals, families and caregivers facing the daily challenges of the devastating disease.

“The launch of the Welltower Foundation is a natural extension of our focus on helping people live well as they age,” said Erin Ibele, President of the Welltower Foundation. “We are honored that our first action will be to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association to help raise the awareness and funds vital to tackling Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on society.”

The Alzheimer’s Association recently named Welltower’s Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. DeRosa as the Brain Ball’s National Honoree. DeRosa, whose own father died of complications from Alzheimer’s, is committed to advancing memory care and connectivity across the health care continuum to provide quality of life and dignity for people living with dementia.

“More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and that number is expected to triple by 2050. Our society and health care infrastructure need to be equipped to deal with the challenges of a growing number of people developing Alzheimer’s,” said Donna McCullough, chief development officer, Alzheimer’s Association. “The Alzheimer’s Association sincerely appreciates the dedication of partners like the Welltower Foundation, Welltower and Tom DeRosa, to both support people living with Alzheimer’s disease and to change the future of this disease for millions.”

About Welltower

Welltower Inc. (NYSE:HCN), an S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. The company invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund the real estate infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people’s wellness and overall health care experience. Welltower™, a real estate investment trust (REIT), owns more than 1,400 properties in major, high-growth markets in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, consisting of seniors housing and post-acute communities and outpatient medical properties. More information is available at www.welltower.com.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. It is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research. The Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit www.alz.org or call 800-272-3900.

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Source: Welltower Inc.

Welltower Inc.
Barbara Montresor, 419-247-2800
Zack Ottenstein, 419-247-2800