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Nationwide Count of Age-Friendly Communities Approaches 425

News and Updates,

More communities, regions and states are joining the Age-Friendly movement via designation by AARP and the World Health Organization that signals a commitment to improving that location as a welcoming and supportive place for people of all ages.

The number of those commitments is approaching 425, with nearly 70 in Massachusetts, which also was among the first states to join. The most recently designated community in the Commonwealth is Norwood and holds the distinction as the first of more than 400 communities to be led by a chamber of commerce. Continue reading →

Home for the Holidays Campaign Highlights Home Modification Options

News and Updates,

Most older adults want to continue living in their homes as they age. Yet many homes often need to be adapted to meet the changing mobility, sensory and cognitive needs of the older adults who live in them.

Several resources for home modifications exist, from AARP’s HomeFit Guide to Age Friendly Berkshires’ “Aging in Place Workbook.”

Now, N4A and the Eldercare Locator have partnered with the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology on the 2019 Home for the Holidays campaign, which also focuses on home modifications and centers on an introductory guide. Continue reading →

Updated Interactive Trailmap Unveiled by MAPC

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The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has updated their interactive Trailmap, the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of biking and walking trails in Massachusetts.

This new-and-improved version of Trailmap allows users to search by address to find trails near them and provides easy access to detailed maps of foot trails, bicycle facilities, and multi-use paths. Users can see all existing paths and toggle on maps showing paths that are in development. This can be a useful planning and assessment tool for age- and dementia friendly communities seeking to improve access to such outdoor transportation and recreational opportunities. Continue reading →

Health Equity Guide from MetroWest Health Foundation Can Improve Impact of Age-Friendly Communities

Data and Reports

The Mass. Healthy Aging Collaborative is dedicated to embedding access, equity and inclusion into the Age- and Dementia Friendly movement gaining momentum across the state.

As such, MHAC is proud to pass along “Building Inclusive Communities: A Guidebook for Advancing Health Equity in the MetroWest Region” from the MetroWest Health Foundation. Continue reading →

Pop-up Placemaking Toolkit from AARP Can Help Create Vibrant Spaces that Create Community

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The term “placemaking” refers to the work of improving a particular public space or overall area to make it more of a destination and shared gathering place.

The Pop-Up Placemaking Tool Kit was created by AARP and Team Better Block to inform a broad audience of local leaders, policymakers, advocates and neighborhood residents about the many ways temporary projects can inspire positive community change. Continue reading →

Small Business Caregiving Guide Released by AARP, Public Private Strategies

Data and Reports,

Coming off the heels of a toolkit developed by the Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Mass. Business Roundtable and the Mass. eHealth Institute to help Massachusetts employers better support caregivers in the workplace, the AARP Family Caregiving Team and Public Private Strategies (PPS) partnered to created a website providing more resources and guidance on the issue. Continue reading →

Tufts Health Plan Foundation Awards Mini-Grants to Build on Local Momentum, Support Healthy Aging

News and Updates

Forty community-based organizations each will receive a Momentum Fund mini-grant of up to $10,000 from Tufts Health Plan Foundation. Now in its second year, the fund was established to foster promising ideas and support cities and towns in their efforts to make their communities better places to grow up and grow old. This is the first year Connecticut nonprofits will receive Momentum Fund mini-grants. Continue reading →