Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.Cross-posted from Wicked Local Waltham
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With a growing senior population, what needs to happen to make Waltham a better community for healthy aging? This was the question posed by Brandeis professor Walter Leutz in his recent study, “Healthy Aging in Waltham – Going Places?” Spanning a year and a half from its conception in December 2014 to the final report in May 2016, the study looked at what makes Waltham a good or bad place to grow old and how it can be made better. Read the full post
Cross-posted from The Huffington Post
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Follow the money. That is my advice to anyone seeking support for livable and age-friendly communities — great places to grow up and grow old.
Age-friendly, livable, lifelong communities have much to offer. Walkability. Good transit and transportation. Affordable, accessible housing. Employment and volunteer opportunities at every age. Well-coordinated health and social services. More ability to age in place. More inclusion and intergenerational connection. People of almost any age value these things, which is one reason the movement is gaining momentum around the world. Continue reading
By Walter Leutz, Heller School, Brandeis University
What makes this a “healthy” community to grow old in? What could make it better? What do older adults do to be healthier and to make this a healthier community? Continue reading
Cross-posted from Wicked Local Newton
By Marian Leah Knapp
More and more I hear talk about “Livable” and “Age-friendly” communities. I see these terms in newspapers, websites, blogs, and presentations. For many years, I have been intrigued by the ideas underlying these broad concepts. Interestingly, my very first article in the Newton TAB of April 6, 2010 was on the Meaning of Aging in Place. I quote myself: Continue reading
By the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative web team
“What does it take?” That was the question attendees grappled with at the Dementia Friendly Massachusetts Summit on Monday, May 9, 2016.What does it take to build a dementia friendly community—a community that is informed, safe and respectful, and enables people living with dementia and those who care about them to live full, engaged lives. Continue reading
By the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)
The concept of healthy aging through community design creates opportunities for municipalities to promote healthy aging by addressing the built environment. It also builds on the widely recognized “8 – 80” international movement, which recognizes the importance of establishing community design policies that provide for people of all ages.
Incorporating healthy aging principles that foster active living and access to healthy foods into community planning, land use and transportation decisions is critical to supporting healthy aging across the Commonwealth. Continue reading
Cross-Posted from Sunrise Senior Living
By Julia Little
Growing old presents new challenges to staying healthy and in good spirits. By following these tips, seniors can minimize the risk of getting sick, less independent or unhappy in their golden years. Continue reading
Cross-posted from Age-Friendly Boston
By Mayor Martin J. Walsh
Here in Boston, we are committed to making our city a place where everyone can succeed — of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. This is our guiding principle as we plan and build the future of our city. That’s why an essential goal of our citywide plan is to make sure the seniors who built our city can continue to thrive here. And it’s why I announced in my State of the City address last month that we are building a plan to make Boston the most age-friendly city in America. Continue reading
By Jennifer Raymond, Director, Healthy Living Center of Excellence
Two Healthy Aging Collaborative members, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and Hebrew SeniorLife, recently received a $49,187 grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation to support their collaboration on the Healthy Living Center of Excellence (HCLE). The HCLE offers more than 14 evidence-based wellness, prevention and disease management programs statewide aimed at improved health outcomes and increased social engagement.
By Elizabeth Costello, MPH, MA Healthy Aging Collaborative web team
Is your community taking steps to become age-friendly? Do you plan to in the future? We are pleased to introduce a new website feature to support this work: The Healthy Aging Collaborative Age-Friendly Toolkit. Continue reading