Dementia affects every community, but not in the same way. Join Dementia Friends Massachusetts for a conversation about disparities, different needs, and specific strengths in many cultural and linguistic communities. Continue reading
News
AARP Promotes ‘Disaster Resilience’ Toolkit Alongside FEMA Funding Opportunity
Following up on a resource released over the summer intended to help age/dementia friendly communities and local leaders reduce disaster risk and better protect older adults, AARP is revamping promotion of the toolkit with a funding opportunity from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Continue reading
Shaw’s and Star Market Join Massachusetts’ SNAP Online Purchasing Program
The Baker Administration recently announced that Massachusetts residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can now use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) SNAP benefits to buy groceries online from Shaw’s and Star Market, two supermarket chains based in Massachusetts. Continue reading
New Study from AARP and FrameWorks Institute Reveals Powerful Role of Imagery to Influence Consumer Attitudes
AARP and the FrameWorks Institute released a new study, “Reframing Aging Through Images” that concluded communicators of all types have the power to shape people’s attitudes around aging simply based on the images they utilize. Continue reading
2022 Healthy Aging Fund Grantees Announced
The Baker Administration announced $15.9 million in grants to 24 nonprofit community-based organizations, cities and towns, and regional planning commissions to fund community health and healthy aging efforts in the Commonwealth. Continue reading
BCBS Foundation Releases Latest ‘Facts and Trends” Report on MassHealth
According to the latest edition of the MassHealth: The Basics from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, one out of 10 MassHealth members is age 65 or over.
Most of those MassHealth members are classified at “seniors in community” totaling 174,960 individuals with another 20,300 “seniors in nursing facilities.” Continue reading
ACL Accepting Applications to Identify Exemplary Kinship and Grandfamily Policies, Practices, and Programs
Funded by Administration for Community Living (ACL), the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network helps government agencies and nonprofits within states, tribes, and territories work across boundaries to improve supports and services for families in which grandparents, other relatives, or close family friends are raising children.
The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network is identifying and designating exemplary kinship and grandfamilies policies, practices, and programs, with the goal of sharing replicable strategies with others. The Network encourages applications from government agencies in states, tribes, and territories, as well as kinship navigator programs and other community-based organizations that serve kinship and grandfamilies. Continue reading
NIA Research: Protecting Older Adults from the Effects of Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather
As a part of a broader NIH-wide initiative, the National Institute on Aging funds research that explores the effects of extreme weather and natural disasters on older adults, with the ultimate aim of improving the well-being of people who experience these events. Continue reading
Older Adult Behavioral Health Innovation and EMHOT Awardees Announced by EOEA, Mass. Councils on Aging
The Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) awarded 18 grants, funded by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, to improve older adults’ access to behavioral health services and supports. Four of these grants will be used to start new EMHOT programs (Elder Mental Health Outreach Teams), four will be used to expand existing EMHOT programs, and ten will be used to test innovative older adult behavioral health practices. Continue reading
Final Reminder: Register for Mass. Age-and Dementia Friendly Conference on 10/26
Our community needs change as we age, but it’s possible for us to prepare our communities to be livable for people of all ages and life stages. Join AARP Massachusetts and a range of communities and organizations at the Age- And Dementia Friendly Conference in Worcester on 10/26. Continue reading