Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.Housing inequality is becoming increasingly evident among older Americans as the number of older households climbs to unprecedented levels, according to Housing America’s Older Adults 2019, a new report being released by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
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First-of-its-Kind Rural Policy Plan for Massachusetts Includes Age-Friendly in Recommendations
The state’s Rural Policy Advisory Commission engaged in a comprehensive program of research and outreach over a two-year period, including listening sessions at ten locations across the Commonwealth in late 2018 and continuing in 2019 with over 20 focused stakeholder meetings to refine the information and develop the recommendations in
this first of its kind Rural Policy Plan for Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is excited that the Commission accepted its recommendations along with input from cities, towns and stakeholders in MHAC’s network to encourage rural communities to join the Age-Friendly movement – specifically pursuing the Age- and Dementia Friendly Community Compact Program.
The Community Compact is a best practice initiative for municipalities and regions established by the Baker Administration. This program has the potential for funding support and technical assistance. One of the choices among the best practices is Age-and Dementia Friendly.
The inclusion of Age-Friendly in this report also speaks to the state’s Age-Friendly Action Plan, which endeavors to embed “aging in all policies” across agencies and initiatives.
AARP Newsletter on Shared Community Spaces Highlights Swampscott Best Practice
In their recent newsletter, AARP Livable Communities shared a number of examples of cities and towns that co-located facilities to save costs and encourage inter-generational activity.
Among the examples is a co-located high school and senior center in the town of Swampscott, Mass. Continue reading
University of Massachusetts becomes first university system to join Age-Friendly University Global Network
The five-campus University of Massachusetts system endorsed the 10 principles of the Age-Friendly University, as defined by Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network at Dublin City University, joining an international effort intended to highlight the role of higher education in responding to the challenges and opportunities associated with an aging population. Continue reading
AARP Hosting Virtual Placemaking Workshop
The 2019 AARP Livable Communities Placemaking Workshop will showcase the many ways local leaders and community volunteers can help to create public spaces that are vibrant, welcoming, safe and accessible.
Workshop attendees will:
- learn about the economic, social and health impacts of placemaking
- be introduced to examples of infrastructure-intensive placemaking efforts that have successfully transformed a city, town, street or neighborhood for the better
- see how smaller, temporary “pop-up” demonstration projects (including parklets, bike lanes, plazas and alley “activations”) can be used to inspire a community
- gain strategies and tools for implementing placemaking projects
City of Boston Announces Age Strong Public Awareness Campaign
The City of Boston is pleased to announce that they are launching the Age Strong public awareness campaign to dispel stereotypes about older adults and promote more positive messaging around aging. Continue reading
Boston Celebrates Age-Friendly Bench Program
Mayor Martin J. Walsh, along with the City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission, Public Works, Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, AARP, Tufts Health Plan Foundation and WalkBoston celebrated the Age-Friendly Bench program in Grove Hall. The program expands the number of benches across the city, with a particular focus on raising the availability of resting locations for older adults. Continue reading
Governor Announces Announces $34 Million in Community Development Block Grants to 63 Communities
Governor Baker and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recently awarded $34 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Awards to support a variety of housing, community and economic development projects in 63 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Many of these projects are helping cities and towns become more Age-Friendly through improvements to a community’s physical environment. Continue reading
Healthy Aging in Motion: New Resource from MHAC, MassMobility Highlights Transportation Examples and Creative Partnerships
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative and MassMobility are partnering to help municipalities and organizations overcome transportation barriers – starting by recognizing the creative and effective work already underway in communities across the Commonwealth. Continue reading
Upcoming Webinar on Celebrating Diversity Hosted by Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging
The Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging, which covers the northern New England states, is hosting a webinar titled “Celebrating Diversity: Promoting community inclusion and access to community supports and health services.” Continue reading