Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.Creating an environment where a broad set of stakeholders can come together to address the needs of a community has never been more important and valuable than this past year. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: December 2020
Joint Center for Housing Studies Fall Research Round-Up Highlights Older Adult Issues (Guest Blog Post)
The following is a guest blog post by Jennifer Molinsky, Senior Research Associate, Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
In 2020, the pandemic, a powerful movement for social justice, and another year of devastating natural disasters have all focused attention on how housing quality, location, and affordability matter to wellbeing. This fall, the Joint Center for Housing Studies released several reports exploring various aspects of the nation’s housing challenges and their relationship to older adults’ welfare. Continue reading
Facing a Pandemic: Grandfamilies Living Together During COVID-19 and Thriving Beyond
Nationwide, older adults are being cautioned to keep their distance from children because of the heightened risk of infection from COVID-19. But for some families—grandfamilies—that distance is impossible.
Facing a Pandemic: Families Living Together During COVID-19 and Thriving Beyond elevates the unique needs of grandfamilies amplified by the pandemic. These grandfamily caregivers are the first line of defense for children during the pandemic, having stepped in when parents cannot raise them for many reasons, including cases where children’s parents have died from the COVID-19 virus. Continue reading
Senior Medicare Patrol Warns of Potential Scams Offering COVID-19 Vaccines for Money, Personal Info
The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) issued a tip sheet on what to know if older adults receive calls offering COVID-19 vaccines in exchange for money or personal information.
Regarding the potential scams, the Mass. SMP offers the following advice: Continue reading
Age-Friendly Winter Spaces Guide Aims to Help Communities Embrace Winter, Promote Physical Activity and Social Engagement
Through grant funding, collaboration, and technical support, communities across Massachusetts have an opportunity to support residents of all ages in remaining physically active and socially engaged this winter.
The pandemic has heightened the awareness and importance of social engagement, which cities and towns can promote with a new guide developed by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, WalkBoston and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative. Continue reading
Boston and New Bedford Featured in AARP’s Age-Friendly COVID-19 Response Highlights
Among the nation’s communities and local leaders on the frontlines of the global coronavirus pandemic are the more than 450 towns, cities, counties and states enrolled in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities – 74 of which are in Massachusetts.
AARP highlighted COVID-19 response in age-friendly communities across the country and included examples from Boston and New Bedford. Continue reading
COVID-19 Testing: Tips for Families with a Loved One Living with Dementia
A tip sheet produced by the Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH in collaboration with the Massachusetts Councils on Aging and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs offers families guidance on COVID-19 testing for a loved one living with dementia. Continue reading
LGBT Aging 2025: Strategies for Achieving a Healthy and Thriving LGBT Older Adult Community in Massachusetts
A new report from The Fenway Institute finds that older LGBTQ adults in the Commonwealth report being diagnosed with depression at twice the rate of their straight, cisgender peers, and are twice as likely to fall and be injured in a fall over the past year.
It also finds that while older LGBTQ adults are more likely to hold a college degree, they are more likely to report having had difficulty paying for housing or food over the past year. LGBTQ older adults living in rural areas of the state expressed concern about the lack of options for LGBTQ-affirming health care, as well as their on-going experiences with strong anti-LGBTQ prejudice and harassment in public settings and senior housing. Continue reading
National League of Cities Opens ‘Leadership in Community Resilience’ Grant Opportunity
The Leadership in Community Resilience (LCR) grant program from the National League of Cities (NLC) supports and enhances local capacity among elected leaders and staff, communities, and community-based organizations as they pursue coordinated climate resilience efforts.
Since 2017, 33 cities have participated in the LCR program. Continue reading
Baker Administration Announces Vaccination Plan, Older Adults in Phase Two
The Baker-Polito Administration and the Department of Public Health developed a vaccine distribution timeline after extensive consultation with the Massachusetts Vaccine Advisory Group, made up of leaders from health care, the faith community, community organizations, local government, and others.
The timeline reflects several priorities: protecting our most vulnerable, maintaining health care system capacity, and addressing inequities in health care access and COVID-19 burden. Continue reading
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