Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.Adults who engage in music are more likely to self-report their overall health, brain health, and cognitive function as excellent or very good, according to a new report by AARP. The findings come from the 2020 Music and Brain Health Survey, which included 3,185 U.S. adults ages 18 and older and weighted to include a balance of respondents by demographics. Continue reading
Archives
NCOA Announces Call for Art, ‘Aging Well’ Photography Contest
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) believes every person deserves to age well and announced a call for photographers to submit work that explores the artistic expression of Aging Well for All—how older adults are making the most of their longevity. Continue reading
Intergenerational Theatre Program Being Tested in California
MHAC is always looking for practices, programs and solutions that can be implemented in age- and dementia friendly communities. Increasingly, arts and cultural opportunities are emerging as a way to bring generations together and create social engagement opportunities. Continue reading
AARP: Pop-Up Recipes for Parklets and Bike Lanes
Bicycle lanes and parklets are fun, easy and popular pop-up projects. There are many ways to create a demonstration bike lane. Parklets — which are essentially parking spots for people rather than cars — can be created with little more than paint, plywood and some decorative accessories.
This photo album is an excerpt from The Pop-Up Placemaking Tool Kit, a free publication by AARP and the planning and design firm Team Better Block, to be released on December 4. Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: Cultural Facilities Fund
Managed in collaboration with MassDevelopment, the Mass Cultural Council’s “Cultural Facilities Fund” (CFF) is an initiative of the state of Massachusetts providing grants to support the acquisition, design, repair, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities state-wide. Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: Local Cultural Council Program
Mass Cultural Council’s Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually. Each year, LCCs award more than $4 million in grants to more than 6,000 cultural programs statewide. The program promotes the availability of rich cultural experiences for every Massachusetts resident.
With an application deadline of October 15th, these grants can benefit local Age-Friendly and Dementia Friendly initiatives by improving inclusiveness of older adults and access to arts and cultural opportunities for residents of all ages. Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: MCC Cultural Facilities Fund
Having access to arts and cultural opportunities is an important part of communities and regions being healthy and engaging places for people of all ages. The Cultural Facilities Fund has supported 617 capital projects and 259 planning projects in 216 cities and towns across Massachusetts that have created such access. Continue reading
7 Steps to Healthy, Happy Aging
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
Arts and Human Connection
By Beth Soltzberg, Program Coordinator, Jewish Family & Children’s Services
“After he was diagnosed, all of our friends disappeared.” These were the words of a guest at Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS)’ Memory Café about her husband’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s. We have heard variations on this statement many times from participants in our Alzheimer’s Family Support Program and our Parkinson’s Family Support Program. As the new video by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Ethos AgeWell West Roxbury, ITNGreaterBoston, and Mystic Valley Elder Services states so eloquently, social isolation is “the most significant risk factor for people as they age.” I’m quoting Dale Mitchell, the executive director of Ethos, whose statement opens the video. Continue reading