Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.
This year, applications will be accepted for projects to improve public spaces; housing; transportation; civic engagement; diversity, equity and inclusion; support efforts to build engagement for programs under new federal laws; and other innovative ideas that support people age 50 or older. Continue reading
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has added data and tools that can help communities, including those working to become more age-friendly, to address vehicle speed management. Continue reading
Rental housing demand came roaring back in the second year of the pandemic, reducing
vacancy rates and driving up rents, according to America’s Rental Housing 2022, a new report released by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. The report includes a range of data points and findings regarding older adults. Continue reading
Cities of Service launched the Experience Matters program in 2019 in partnership with AARP where five participating cities engaged residents aged 50+ to tackle public problems. Each city received $30,000 and technical assistance from Cities of Service. Full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members served in each city hall to build capacity and raise awareness for the initiatives.
Cities of Service compiled a report that outlines the activities and impact of the Experience Matters program and shares lessons that can inform future work with older volunteers. These include: Continue reading
To inform the ReiMAgine Aging; Year 3 Progress Report, which will look to capture the incredible age- and dementia friendly work of 2021, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is joining the Executive Office of Elder Affairs in asking its statewide network and partners to complete this survey by January 28th. Continue reading
There are always opportunities to access education and training that can help your community or organization become more age- and dementia friendly. Check out the following events listed below:
In a “spotlight” research report, AARP’s Public Policy Institute advocates for separating medication literacy from health literacy as 86 percent of adults ages 65 and older regularly take at least one prescription medication and the average Medicare beneficiary takes 4.6 prescriptions per month. Continue reading
As age-and dementia friendly communities, municipal partners and other stakeholders continue to engage the public to accommodate those attending in-person and remote, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) developed the “Hybrid Engagement Hub” with tools to help make those meetings successful. Continue reading
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is excited to promote a fourth round of the Shared Streets & Spaces Grant Program from the Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The program, which awards bonus points for projects that are inclusive of older adults, provides funding to municipalities and public transit authorities to quickly implement improvements to plazas, sidewalks, curbs, streets, bus stops, parking areas, and other public spaces in support of public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce. Continue reading
Many age-friendly communities identify “transportation” as a priority issue in order to support people of all ages in a city, town or region.
The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) compiled a guidebook called “Creating a Transportation Committee that Reflects All Community Voices” to serve as a helpful resource to groups, including age-friendly coalitions, who are considering creating a transportation committee for the first time and transportation agencies who are looking to help their current committee increase its effectiveness. Continue reading