NEWS

MHAC’s COVID-19 Updates and Resources: 8/13/20

Aug 12, 2020

In addition to an evolving COVID-19 resource page, MHAC is continuing to collect and share updates on COVID-19 from state government, federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control, and other key stakeholders.

These updates are to help and inform a wide range of individuals and partners, including communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly.

Please see the latest updates below:

  • MASS Design Group, JCHS Present “Designing Senior Housing for Safe Interaction: The Role of Architecture in Fighting COVID-19”

Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies moderated a discussion that focused on design strategies for the creation of safe and dignifying shared housing spaces for older adults in light of COVID-19. The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative invites age-friendly communities and housing stakeholders to review this resource from MASS Design Group.

  • Baker Administration Releases Enhanced Community Level Data on Spread of COVID-19

The Baker Administration released additional data on community level spread of COVID-19 in order to target additional resources and implement community specific strategies to stop the spread of the virus.

Based on the average daily cases per 100,000 residents, each city or town has been designated as a higher risk, moderate risk, or lower risk community. Going forward, this information will be updated and included in the Department of Public Health’s weekly public health dashboard, which is published each Wednesday.

Click here to view a map with these designations by community.

  • Issue Brief: Potential Financial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Single-Person Households

In this data brief, the LTSS Center @ UMass Boston explore the impacts of the 2008 market collapse on the financial status of older adults age 60 and older living in single-person households (as compared to those living in twoperson or married/partnered households). The purpose is to use the most recent recession experience to better understand what is at stake and the likely magnitude of financial loss that may impact older adults in single-person households as a result of the pandemic-induced market collapse.

The research and issue brief is supported and promoted by the National Council on Aging.