This past week, the Mass. Healthy Aging Collaborative was pleased to present a statewide perspective on older adults and digital equity to the Massachusetts Broadband Equity Commission.
MHAC is among many organizations and stakeholders that have labeled technology as a social determinant of health, since the pandemic elevated the importance and use of technology, especially among older adults. Continue reading
The AARP Livable Communities team shared a series of downloadable checklists in multiple languages as a supplement to their ‘HomeFit’ Guide. Continue reading
The Fall 2021 edition of Planning Magazine, a publication of the American Planning Association-Massachusetts Chapter, featured the success of the MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Program, which awards bonus points for projects that are inclusive of older adults. Continue reading
In a previous post, MHAC promoted some highlights shared by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Transportation Survey. That organization is hosting a webinar to release the full results. Continue reading
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative was joined by a range of statewide and national partners working to advance inclusive age-and dementia friendly communities in a Twitter Chat that focused on “Equity in Aging.” Continue reading
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners recently announced that local libraries across the state are loaning out Wi-Fi hotspots, which are devices that you can take with you to access the internet from wherever you are.
Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots connect to cellular data the same where a smart phone does to create a secure and reliable internet connection for devices that need one. This presents an opportunity to address digital equity among older adults. Continue reading
In FY22, Mass Cultural Council will invest $4.8 million into the Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program, the nation’s largest grassroots cultural funding network. This represents a great opportunity for age- and dementia friendly communities to connect older adults to arts and cultural sites and events. It also carries opportunity for promoting intergenerational activity. Continue reading
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding people with Medicare that Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15, 2021, and now is the time to review their coverage options and make a choice that meets their health care needs. Medicare’s Open Enrollment period gives those who rely on Medicare the opportunity to make changes to their health plans or prescription drug plans, pick a Medicare Advantage Plan, or return to Original Medicare. Continue reading
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, significantly more grandparents than non-grandparents purchased smartphones (32% vs. 22%) and Smart TVs (24% vs. 11%) than they did in the 12-months prior, according to AARP research.
Ranking the top barriers to adopting new technology, survey respondents identified cost (28%), lack of knowledge (24%), and privacy issues (22%) at the top of the list. Continue reading
In an effort to encourage communities to plan for embracing the winter season, 8-80 Cities teamed up with AARP to create a new Winter Placemaking Guide, which seeks to address the distinct winter challenges that communities of all sizes experience, offering practical solutions to create more equitable, engaging and age-friendly public spaces during the winter season. Continue reading
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