Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.Whether it is called “age-friendly health care” or “person-centered care for older adults,” this month has seen reports and publications focus and advocate for better health care that truly meets the needs of older people. Continue reading
Category Archives: Data and Reports
Brookings Analysis of Early Census Data Shows Aging Population Trends
In an analysis of census estimates released in December 2020, Brookings finds that between 2010 and 2020, the number of people over age 55 grew by 27%, which is 20 times larger than the growth rate of the collective population under 55 (1.3%). Continue reading
Mass. Commission on Falls Prevention Issues Recommendations on Improving Integration of Falls Risk Assessment and Referral in Health Care Practices
The Massachusetts Commission on Falls Prevention, which is led by staff at the state’s Department of Public Health, released their biennial legislative report with recommendations on improving how health care providers assess and refer older adults for risk of falls. Continue reading
Interactive COVID-19 Data Dashboard Unveiled, Older Adults Reprioritized in Vaccine Plan
Based on this recommendation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory group, the Baker Administration has updated prioritization so that individuals age 75+ are included in Phase 2, Group 1, along with individuals of all ages with 2+ comorbidities. Continue reading
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
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
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 Poll Explores COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance for Older Adults
Once enough people receive effective vaccines against the novel coronavirus, experts say, the end of the pandemic may be in sight. But a new poll of older adults – one of the highest-priority groups for vaccination – suggests an uphill climb lies ahead to reach that goal. Continue reading
Disparities in Economic Security Among Older Adults Highlighted by UMass-Boston
Dramatically higher percentages of Black, Latino and Asian older adults live on incomes that don’t meet their cost of living, even with Social Security, according to research by Jan Mutchler, PhD of UMass-Boston’s Gerontology Institute.
The article highlighting the disparities in economic insecurity among older adults is posted on the UMass Gerontology Institute blog and “The Conversation,” a non-profit independent online news organization. Continue reading