Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.During Digital Inclusion Week (Oct. 3-7), which aims to raise awareness of solutions addressing digital equity, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP released a report, “Fly Like an Eagle: Measuring Transformational Social Outcomes Among Seniors Using Technology.” The report details how access to technology devices and innovative training programs can yield transformational social outcomes for older adults and provides a blueprint for cities and communities looking to implement their own digital inclusion programs. Continue reading
Category Archives: News and Updates
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: Mass. DPH, Mass Cultural Council, EOHHS Human Services Workforce
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to promote the following funding opportunities that advance inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities:
Age-Friendly Boston’s Age/Dementia Friendly Business Checklist and Program Recognized by AARP
Several communities enrolled in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities have established programs to encourage local businesses to be age-friendly and AARP has released a resource highlighting examples of those programs from across the country. One example comes from Age-Friendly Boston’s “Age and Dementia Friendly Business Checklist,” which is the only example on the resource that includes both age AND dementia friendly. Continue reading
Baker Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Announce Five Year, $67.2 Billion Agreement for MassHealth Reforms
The Baker Administration recently received federal approval to expand and extend its innovative Medicaid (MassHealth) section 1115 waiver through December 2027. The demonstration approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) supports integrated, outcomes-based care for MassHealth’s two million members and brings a new focus on advancing health equity by closing disparities in quality and access. The demonstration also focuses on investing in primary, behavioral and pediatric health care, and sustains Massachusetts’ national leadership by maintaining near-universal health insurance coverage. Continue reading
New Resource: ‘Age- and Dementia Friendly Design Considerations for Physical Infrastructure’
The Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias created a workgroup with a goal of defining age-and dementia friendly design considerations for physical infrastructure, disseminating those findings and advocating for their inclusion in relevant state funding programs.
That workgroup is pleased to share the culmination of that work in the form of a guide titled Age and Dementia Friendly Design Considerations for Physical Infrastructure, which highlights design considerations supporting people living with dementia and focused on four types of infrastructure: Continue reading
Mass. Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Launches Emergency Services Card
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH), in partnership with the Department of Fire Services (DFS) and Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), has created a visual tool called the Emergency Services Card (ESC) to assist EMT’s, firefighters and Deaf and hard of hearing individuals communicate better in the first moments of an emergency.
Links and instructions for use are listed below and may be useful for age/dementia friendly community partners to promote locally. Continue reading
Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Events for October and November
Check out the following events from the Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH for support groups for the months of October and November.
These groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They also offer participants an opportunity to learn about dementia and develop methods and skills to cope with challenges. Continue reading
Baker Administration Celebrates Five Years of Accomplishments of the Governor’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts
In honor of the five-year anniversary of the Governor’s Council to Address Aging, Governor Charlie Baker, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, and Secretary of Elder Affairs Elizabeth Chen joined Council Members and stakeholders at a celebratory meeting to reflect on the strides made to support healthy aging in Massachusetts.
Co-Chaired by Secretary Sudders and philanthropist Eileen Connors, the Governor’s Council to Address Aging was established via Executive Order in April 2017 with the goal of making the Commonwealth the most age-friendly state for people of all ages. Today’s final Council meeting under the Baker-Polito Administration was held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where Governor Baker first signed the Executive Order that launched the Council. Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: AmericaWalks, Community Compact Reminder
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to promote the following funding opportunities that advance inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities: Continue reading
AARP Livable Communities Team Requesting Experiences and Best Practices on Age-Friendly Communities in Mass.
There is so much amazing work being done as part of the age- and dementia friendly movement in Massachusetts and AARP’s Livable Communities team is requesting that every network community (those recognized in the AARP age-friendly network) complete the Annual Survey of Age-Friendly Community Leaders to gain insight on those efforts (*Note: if your community is working together with other communities (regional approach), AARP only needs one response per region). Continue reading