The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to host a job bank and forum for those interested in joining the movement to advance age-friendly and dementia friendly communities, policies and practices across the state!
Please see our jobs page and share with colleagues and connections who may have an interest!
In preparation for Falls Prevention Awareness Day in September the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is sponsoring a “photo and story” contest to illustrate and convey the great work being done nationwide to prevent falls.
Winners will receive prizes issued to the individual/organization submitting the entry and will be featured in NCOA materials, including information provided to the media and on the organizations website. Prizes are: 1st prize: $300; 2nd prize: $250; 3rd prize: $200. Photo entries must be submitted by August 25 at 11:59pm ET.
Details are available in NCOA’s Photo Contest Flyer.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) requests responses from individuals/organizations interested in participating on the new Determination of Need’s Community Health Initiative (CHI) Statewide Initiative Advisory Committee and/or the CHI Healthy Aging Fund Advisory Committee.
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC) encourages its members and partners to consider the Healthy Aging Fund Advisory Committee, specifically. DPH is partnering with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) to establish and consult an Advisory Committee to develop and implement the CHI Healthy Aging Fund Initiative. MHAC applauds DPH and EOEA for prioritizing Healthy Aging as an area of focus. Continue reading
Governor Charlie Baker’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts will hold listening sessions in the Berkshires and on Cape Cod to hear ideas from across the state about how to make the Commonwealth the most livable state for people of all ages.
The Council will advise the Administration on policy to support healthy aging. The public is invited.
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative will be present at both sessions and encourages any individual or organization with suggestions to join to present verbal comments at either of the following opportunities: Continue reading
In a previous post, MHAC announced AARP’s grant program called “Community Challenge” to cities and towns looking to kick-start new age-friendly efforts or boost existing ones.
AARP recently announced that the June 30th deadline has been extended to July 15th to allow more time for applications to develop. All other dates on the timeline previously announced will remain the same in terms of grantees being notified and when projects are expected to be completed. Continue reading
Central Park in the City of Leominster, MA was dedicated to Alzheimer’s awareness on the longest day of the year, June 21st, which coincided with a national series of events and fundraising spearheaded by the Alzheimer’s Association.
The park can be found downtown at the intersection of Route 12 and Route 117 with a newly renovated corner for all to see. Through a collaborate of private and public funding, there are many special features including; purple lighting from dusk to dawn symbolizing the struggle with sun-downing, granite pavers that anyone can sponsor and customize, large perennial garden, purple themed annual flowers, and a large inspirational stone yet to be engraved! Continue reading
Governor Charles D. Baker’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts will hold listening sessions to hear ideas about how to make the Commonwealth the most livable state for people of all ages. These sessions are a prime opportunity to shine a light on age-friendly and dementia friendly community efforts! Continue reading
The Cummings Foundation “100K for 100” Program has awarded two organizations working with the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC) for different initiatives that will both advance healthy aging practices as well as age-friendly communities.
WalkBoston, an MHAC Executive Committee member, was awarded $100,000 to work with municipalities and local organizations to create safer pedestrian environments through training programs and empowering residents to be change agents for safe streets.
Bridges Together was also a recipient of the Cummings Foundation grant, which will help increase their work to establish inter-generational programming within communities that unite the young and old.
For more information on these awards, see WalkBoston’s announcement here and Bridges Together’s announcement here.
A first-in-the-country research center is being established thanks to a partnership between LeadingAge and the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston.
According to an announcement from UMass, the LTSS Center @UMass Boston will “combine the expertise of applied and academic researchers with the unique perspectives of providers and consumers of long-term services and supports (LTSS). The center will conduct research aimed at transforming the way LTSS are financed, delivered, and experienced by older adults and their families.”
LeadingAge has posted an FAQ with details on the research center and a press release from the Gerontology Institute is available here.
With so much momentum and activity in age-friendly and dementia friendly communities, combating ageism, and raising awareness of healthy aging issues, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative started a Twitter account to share stories, ideas, and resources.
Please follow us @mahealthyaging and help us share the great work being done by so many communities and organizations!