The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative recently joined the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), Massachusetts Councils on Aging, local organizations and AARP Massachusetts to celebrate an age- and dementia action plan for the Pioneer Valley region.

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has been leading work to support regional and local age-friendly initiatives with support from Point32Health Foundation. That work, including the local assessments and action plans, are available on the PVPC webpage for the Age and Dementia Friendly Pioneer Valley Initiative. Community partners in the Age and Dementia Friendly Pioneer Valley initiative included Agawam, Amherst, Belchertown, East Longmeadow, Hadley, Hatfield, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Monson, Northampton, Palmer, South Hadley, and Ware.

The communities in the Pioneer Valley have also been recognized as dementia friendly by the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA), which maintains a list of cities and towns across the state that have worked towards dementia friendly goals. MCOA also maintains and shares resources and learning opportunities for communities interested in becoming dementia friendly.

Organizations or partners interested in working to implement the Age and Dementia Friendly Pioneer Valley regional action plan can contact James Fuccione at MHAC.