Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.The Executive Office of Elder Affairs is leading a team that is looking to capture the incredible age- and dementia-friendly work done across the Commonwealth for our collective annual progress report for ReiMAgine Aging, the Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan.
The upcoming version will be the third year of the progress report that reflect work from communities, regions, organizational partners and a range of stakeholders from all parts of the Commonwealth. Continue reading
MHAC previously announced that the MassTrails grant program is open. The program provides matching grants to communities, public entities, and non-profit organizations to plan, design, create, and maintain the diverse network of trails, trail systems, and trails experiences.
As part of an announcement of information about MassTrails, MHAC learned of another funding opportunity called the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program.
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and as covered in many media outlets, including the Boston Globe, mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks, which rely on older technology, to make room for more advanced network services, including 5G.
This also impacts certain medical devices and MHAC has learned of companies going through major processes of upgrading devices like Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS). Continue reading
A national poll of nearly 3,000 people in the U.S. conducted in June finds most older adults adjusted their lifestyles to maintain their health and community connectedness. The 2021 Home and Community Survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for AARP, provides a range of other preferences and views form adults of all ages with a focus on older people. Continue reading
Communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly may be interested in the following funding opportunities, previously announced by MHAC: Continue reading
Developed by Ariadne Labs in collaboration with The Conversation Project, the “What Matters to Me Workbook” is designed to help people with a serious illness get ready to talk to their health care team about what is most important to them.
As the resource explains, the Workbook is not about making specific medical
decisions, but rather “thinking about what matters most to you — and sharing your goals and preferences with your health care team.” Continue reading
As MHAC reported in a previous post, libraries across the state have made Wi-Fi hotspots available to loan out. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) created a map so people can see which specific libraries have the devices that people can checkout. Continue reading
A new collaboration between AARP and home improvement chain Lowe’s, called the Lowe’s Livable Home initiative, aims to provide strategies and information to help make living spaces more accessible for everyone and allow older adults to stay in their homes safely and comfortably as they age.
The two-year collaboration offers information and guidance, including blog articles and videos, around home improvement and design techniques to support older adults and family caregivers as they reimagine their homes for the next stage of life. Continue reading
Communities working to become more age and dementia friendly can invite their local first responders to join the Alzheimer’s Association for an upcoming training in becoming Dementia-Friendly as part of your city, town or regional initiative.
The goal of this training, titled “Understand, Approach & Respond: Effective Interventions for First Responders in Working with People and Families Living with Dementia,” is to educate Fire and EMS personnel on the impact that Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias may have on individuals and communities. Continue reading
On November 16, 2021, appropriately during National Family Caregiving Month, the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren released its initial report to Congress.
This report outlines the joys, challenges, gaps, and unmet needs faced by kin and grandparent caregivers. It also describes federal programs currently available to assist them and provides 22 recommendations for better supporting kinship families and grandfamilies. Those recommendations are broken into five key areas below: Continue reading