The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC) was awarded a two-year grant for $175,000 from Tufts Health Plan Foundation to support the development of additional age- and dementia-friendly communities in the Commonwealth. This is one of nine new community investments totaling nearly $1 million reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to policies and practices that support healthy aging.
“We value advocacy and leadership among older people,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president for corporate citizenship at Tufts Health Plan. “The organizations we are supporting demonstrate collaboration with state agencies and other community groups that spurs innovation and makes our communities better places to grow up and grow old.”
Massachusetts has emerged as a national leader in the age-friendly movement. The state was one of the first to earn the Age-Friendly state designation from AARP and 68 of its 351 cities and towns are working to ensure they are great places to grow up and grow old. Inclusing the regional collaborations, those efforts will benefit more than 100 communities. MHAC is a key resource in this work. This grant will support the development of strategic regional partnerships to promote local engagement and continued efforts to advance equity and inclusion.
“We are excited and grateful for the support of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, but also deeply appreciate that – beyond that – their partnership and leadership has been vital for advancing this collective work,” said MHAC Senior Director James Fuccione. “The state’s position as a leader in promoting and supporting inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities has come through collaboration and recognizing the amazing work already happening in our cities and towns.”
About Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Established in 2008, Tufts Health Plan Foundation supports the health and wellness of the diverse communities we serve. The Foundation has given more than $37 million to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island nonprofits that promote healthy living with an emphasis on older adults. The Foundation began funding in New Hampshire in 2016 and in Connecticut in 2019. The Tufts Health Plan Foundation funds programs that move communities toward implementing age-friendly policies and practices that are relevant, focus on older adults and include them in community solutions. Visit www.tuftshealthplanfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.