National averages suggest that half of older women living alone, along with 42% of older men living alone, have annual incomes below the Elder Index, which is a list of measures developed by UMass-Boston to measure economic insecurity among older adults. Now,...
News: Data and Reports
World Health Organization Releases Toolkit for Promoting Physical Activity Among Older People
Noting the myriad benefits of physical activity for older adults, including the ability to maintain and improve mental health and cognitive ability, delay the onset of dementia, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, the World Health Organization (WHO)...
MassINC, MACP Release ‘Connected Communities’ Report on Digital Equity and Affordable Housing
MassINC alongside Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (MACP) recently released a report called "Connected Communities: Providing Affordable Housing Residents with Unfettered Access to Digital Opportunity in Massachusetts," which explores strategies to close the...
Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases ReiMAgine Aging, a Podcast Highlighting Massachusetts as a National Leader in the Age- and Dementia-Friendly Movement
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is excited to join the Healey-Driscoll Administration and partner organizations in announcing the release of a podcast series on age- and dementia-friendly innovations across Massachusetts called ReiMAgine Aging. The...
American Planning Association’s 2023 Trend Report for Planners Includes Support for Age-and Dementia Friendly Community Efforts
The 2023 Trend Report for Planners from the American Planning Association includes "dementia and aging populations" as a highlighted issue. The report states that, "Planning for aging in place and dementia are more important than ever...Housing policies need to...
Connecticut Age Well Collaborative Releases Guide to Support Age and Dementia Friendly Efforts
Like the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative is a statewide, cross-sector network promoting and supporting inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities. Their organization released a guide called "Practical Action for...
Pilot Program in Mass. Informs Extensive Guide on Social Prescribing
The University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine released a guide for health care practitioners, insurance companies, and community organizations on how to integrate arts, culture, and nature into referral programs, a concept within a social prescribing model...
AARP Surveys Older Adults on Disaster Preparedness
A recent online survey by AARP of older adults finds that less than a third (29%) say they have an emergency plan in case of a natural disaster. This can be an issue age- and dementia friendly communities can help address using, among other tools, AARP's Disaster...
Age-Friendly Public Health Systems Team Release Policy Brief on Supporting Older Adults in Rural Areas
A policy brief from the Age-Friendly Public Health System (AFPHS) team at Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), the second in a series of publications dealing with the health and wellness of older adults, outlines the status of older adults living in rural environments...
Generations United Releases Resource on Strengthening Cultural Responsiveness in Intergenerational Programming
As part of Generations United’s diverse intergenerational programs initiative, the organization conducted a national survey of programs that connect younger and older people. A report from those findings was released to highlight the intentional and creative ways that...