In addition to an evolving COVID-19 resource page, MHAC is continuing to collect and share updates on COVID-19 from state government, federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control, and other key stakeholders.
These updates are to help and inform a wide range of individuals and partners, including communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly.
Please see the latest updates below: Continue reading
The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund “quick-action” projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are being accepted for projects to improve housing, transportation, public space, technology (“smart cities”), civic engagement.
Now, applications are also being accepted that address COVID-19 response. This, according to AARP, will include food access, virtual engagement, and access to connectivity, services and economic activity. Continue reading
Communities and partners in the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative network may be interested in the following virtual opportunities:
During this unprecedented time of COVID-19, the demand on family caregivers has never been greater. There are more than 840,000 family caregivers across the Commonwealth providing care to loved ones while balancing their work and other family responsibilities. The Roundtable helped launch the Massachusetts Caregivers Coalition bringing together business, education and public sector leaders to better understand and address the needs of family caregivers, a growing and essential part of workforces across every industry sector.
In this webinar, first in a planned series, a panel will address the realities of caregiving during COVID-19 and provide resources and strategies shared by experts. Confirmed speakers and moderators include Roundtable member Mark Butler, Cigna New England, Robin Lipson, Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and Alexandra Drane, ARCHANGELS, as well as leaders from Roundtable members Seniorlink and Care.com.
Join the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging (NCMHA) for a thoughtful discussion on ways to prevent social isolation and promote mental health during this unprecedented time in our history.
Suicide, depression, anxiety, and problems with alcohol and medications are issues that older adults face. The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that by 2030, there will be nearly 75 million Americans over age 65. A 2012 study from the Institute of Medicine found that nearly 1 in 5 older Americans has one or more mental health/substance use conditions. According to 2018 data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and reported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, adults in the 75-84 and 85+ age groups are among those with the highest rates of suicide.
Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day 2020 will feature remarks from Lance Robertson, ACL Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging, and Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. It will also share the latest information on social isolation and loneliness from Dr. Dilip Jeste, University of California San Diego Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry.
More Information on COVID-19 Responses:
VA Resources, including What Veterans Need to Know and Maintaining Your Mental Health and Well-Being
In addition to an evolving COVID-19 resource page, MHAC is continuing to collect and share updates on COVID-19 from state government, federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control, and other key stakeholders.
These updates are to help and inform a wide range of individuals and partners, including communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly.
Please see the latest updates below: Continue reading
MHAC is pleased to pass along the following funding opportunities for communities and organizations. Some are in response to COVID-19 and some are more general opportunties for Age- and Dementia Friendly Communities and stakeholders.
More information on similar support opportunities relative to COVID-19 are available on the Philanthropy Massachusetts website on “Disaster and Emergency Relief Resources.” Continue reading
Thanks to the research team at UMass-Boston’s Gerontology Institute with support from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, the public can access the Healthy Aging Data Report with community profiles on all 351 cities and towns in the state on the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative website.
Now, that research team developed additional data to aid local leaders as well as Age-and Dementia Friendly coalitions in addressing COVID-19. Continue reading
Nesterly, an intergenerational homesharing platform, in partnership with the City of Boston, created a new, free service called Good Neighbors. Good Neighbors supports older adults who must stay home as a result of COVID-19 by matching them with volunteers to fulfill no-contact deliveries and friendly check-ins (calls/letter writing).
This service is available in Greater Boston, which Nesterly and the Good Neighbors initiative have defined as within 20 miles of the city. Also available are longstanding organizations like FriendshipWorks and Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, which also connect older adults and volunteers.
Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced it is providing funding to 18 additional nonprofit organizations as part of the $1 million it has committed to support community efforts on behalf of older people affected by the coronavirus. This second wave of funding, totaling $345,000, focuses on housing and equity efforts in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Continue reading
MHAC is continuing to collect and share updates on COVID-19 from state government, federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control, and other key stakeholders.
These updates are to help and inform a wide range of individuals and partners, including communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly.
Please see the latest updates below:
The MassDOT Transit Unit has announced that the FY2021 Community Transit Grant Program Application Cycle is scheduled to open in May 2020. Continue reading
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