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Category Archives: Data and Reports

MAPC Unveils Long-Range Plan for Greater Boston, Includes Voice of Older Adults

May 11th, 2022

After years of research and community engagement, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) officially unveiled a land use and public policy blueprint designed to put the region on a course toward a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous future. Included in that is a commitment to ensure the plan is age- and dementia friendly.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative worked with MAPC, which already included the voice of older residents from across the region, to conduct listening sessions at its Advisory Council meetings and participated in policy meetings to add an age-friendly perspective. Continue reading →

National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults Recognizes Tech Access Program from Coastline Elderly Services

May 4th, 2022

A recent publication from engAGED, The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults, features 11 successful social engagement programs from the Innovations Hub that employ a variety of social engagement interventions and tap into an array of partners to reach consumers in rural, suburban and urban communities. Continue reading →

How Discrimination in Health Care Affects Older Americans, and What Health Systems and Providers Can Do

April 27th, 2022

Racial and ethnic discrimination has a significant impact on the health of people of color, affecting mental health and contributing to high blood pressure, negative health behaviors, and early aging, according to an issue brief released by the Commonwealth Fund. For Black older adults, the cumulative effects of race-related stress experienced over the course of a life can increase the risk for mental and physical health problems. Continue reading →

Outdoor Activation Toolkit for Older Adults Created by 8-80 Cities

April 13th, 2022

8 80 Cities, an organization based in Canada dedicated to enhancing parks, public spaces and mobility, in partnership with Woodgreen Community Services have come together to develop the Seniors Outdoor Activation Toolkit to support more outdoor programming, physical activity, and social connection opportunities for seniors. Continue reading →

Communicating About Nursing Home Care: Findings and Emerging Recommendations

April 13th, 2022

Soon after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on nursing homes was thrust into the spotlight. As people began to think and talk more about nursing home residents and the care workforce, many existing narratives of nursing homes were reinforced–that they are underfunded, understaffed, and ill-equipped to provide high-quality care. Continue reading →

WalkBoston Report Reveals Fatal Pedestrian Crashes Disproportionately Impact Older Adults

March 31st, 2022

A report released by WalkBoston, a Massachusetts pedestrian advocacy organization and key partner for the Mass. Healthy Aging Collaborative, provides new insights evaluating where and how fatal pedestrian crashes are happening across the state, and what these patterns tell us about creating safe roads for all. Among other findings, the report shows that over half (40 of 75) of the deaths happened in just 12 municipalities. Continue reading →

Pew Research Center Examines Reasons U.S. Adults Live in Multigenerational Households

March 30th, 2022

With a combination of Census and survey data, Pew Research Center examined the experiences of multigenerational households, including who lives in these types of arrangements and why they do so.

According to the report resulting from that analysis, census data from 1971-2021 shows the number of people living in multigenerational family households quadrupled over that time, reaching 59.7 million in March 2021. The share more than doubled as well, to 18% of the U.S. population. Continue reading →

Challenges and Opportunities of Dementia Friendly Initiatives in Massachusetts Outlined in Rutgers Research

March 23rd, 2022

New research from Rutgers University provides an overview of dementia friendly initiatives in Massachusetts, including their evolution and development across the state. The report outlines who is involved and how different initiatives go from a concept to local action. Continue reading →

Report Shows Disparities in Clinician Consideration of Care Preferences for Older Adults

March 23rd, 2022

One-third of people 50 and older report rarely or never having their care preferences taken into account by their clinicians, with more people of color and lower-income individuals saying so.

A report and infographic, created in conjunction with the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston and the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation at Community Catalyst with support from The SCAN Foundation, provides the first ever look at how person-centered care models are working (or not) for older adults. Continue reading →

Economic Costs of Disparities in Life Expectancy Highlighted in AARP Report “Our Collective Future: The Economic Impact of Unequal Life Expectancy”

March 16th, 2022

A new report from AARP found that the annual economic cost to the U.S. GDP caused by disparities in life expectancy is expected to reach $1.6 trillion in 2030. That totals 5.1% of the projected GDP, which would be equivalent to the combined size of Massachusetts’ and Virginia’s economies in 2030. Continue reading →