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Toolkit for Intergenerational Programming in Senior Housing Released by LTSS Center @UMass Boston

News and Updates, Systems and Best Practices,

Age-Friendly Communities interested in bringing intergenerational programming into senior housing now have a new toolkit from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston and Generations United.

The Connecting Generations in Senior Housing: A Program Implementation Toolkit was supported by a grant from the Retirement Research Foundation (RRF) and provides practical information, guidance, and templates to help senior housing providers, and other organizations serving older adults, implement high-quality intergenerational programs that will benefit elders and young people in their communities.

Continue reading →

AARP Livable Communities Newsletter Highlights Resources on Accessory Dwelling Units

Systems and Best Practices

The latest newsletter from AARP Livable Communities is all about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which provide more options for housing and potential solutions for Age-Friendly Communities looking to address the “housing” domain.

Here is a list of the resources on ADUs shared by AARP and a Massachusetts-based resource from the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Continue reading →

Massachusetts Communities Win APA National Planning Achievement Awards

Systems and Best Practices,

Two Massachusetts communities won Gold-level National Planning Achievement Awards from the American Planning Association. Boston won for its “Climate Ready Boston Report,” and Stoneham won for its Transportation Advocacy Committee.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative highlights the Stoneham project for its similarities to what can be achieved through Age- and Dementia Friendly efforts, but mostly because it is a grassroots, citizen-led initiative that has attained results. Continue reading →

Mass Municipal Association Includes ADU Bylaws in 2019 Best Practice Series

News and Updates, Systems and Best Practices

At its annual conference on January 18-19, the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) will release the fourth edition of its municipal Best Practices series.

The 2018 edition of the publication included “Age and Dementia Friendly Communities” as a best practice that cities and towns can pursue. The 2019 version includes a recommendation that communities review and update their bylaws pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).  Continue reading →

MAPC Technical Assistance Program and Invitation to Join ‘MetroCommon’ Advisory Group

Programs, Systems and Best Practices

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is soliciting ideas for individual community-specific projects and for multi-community projects that will commence in 2018. This presents another opportunity from the Healthy Aging Collaborative’s regional planning partners for Age-Friendly Communities where there is overlap.

Projects that serve multiple communities always receive preference; projects that advance the MetroFuture priorities of smart growth, regional collaboration, and/or advancing equity in the region, always receive preference.  Continue reading →