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Governor Baker Announces Vaccine Equity Initiative, Opens Eligibility to Age 65+

February 18th, 2021

The Baker Administration announced a targeted outreach initiative in 20 cities and towns most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and  $1M to the MA League of Community Health Centers to support vaccination in historically underserved communities.

The Administration also announced separately that individuals ages 65 and older, individuals living with two or more medical conditions that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and residents and staff of senior affordable housing​ are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts. With this announcement, almost 1 million individuals are newly eligible for vaccine. Continue reading →

Nominate a 2020 ‘Trailblazer in Aging’ by March 4

February 26th, 2020

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is accepting nominations for the 2020 Trailblazer in Aging Awards. There are several award categories listed below.

Last year’s winners included the Healthy Living Center of Excellence (HLCE) in the “innovator” category. HLCE is a member of MHAC’s Executive Committee and was awarded for its work integrating community services into the health care delivery system with evidenced-based programs across Massachusetts. Continue reading →

Guest Blog Post: MA DPH Raises Prediabetes Awareness for Diabetes Alert Day

March 28th, 2017

The following is a guest Blog Post from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in recognition of Diabetes Alert Day (March 28th)

Type 2 diabetes is a serious and costly public health issue affecting tens of millions of Americans. Older adults have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. For those over 65, 1 in every 2 has prediabetes. In Massachusetts, there may be as many as 1.8 million adults who have prediabetes.

What is prediabetes? Prediabetes happens when blood sugar (glucose) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diabetes.

An intervention, however, in the form of a prediabetes screening and referral to an evidence-based lifestyle change program, can help prevent the development of diabetes and the many serious conditions and complications associated with it. Continue reading →

Our Parents, Ourselves: Health Care for an Aging Population

February 19th, 2016

This report, supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, explores the care experienced by older adults in the U.S., including the number and types of care providers they see, along with the frequency with which they have contact with the health care system. It identifies areas where improvements are most needed and recognizes areas in which improvements are already under way. Finally, it notes challenges and opportunities presented by people with multiple chronic conditions and dementia. Source: Dartmouth Atlas

How Community-Based Organizations Can Support Value-Driven Health Care

July 16th, 2015

Cross-posted from HealthAffairsBlog
By Anand Parekh, MD, MPH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Robert Schreiber, MD, Hebrew SeniorLife

As our health care system transforms more quickly than ever from paying for volume to paying for value, providers have strong incentives to ensure that their patients’ care plans are reinforced and supported outside the clinical setting in people’s homes and communities. Continue reading →

Advice for older people on staying safe in hot weather

July 8th, 2015

“Summer weather can pose special health risks to older adults and people with chronic medical conditions. It is critically important that adults particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses know how to safeguard against problems. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some tips to help avoid the hazards of hot weather.” Source: NIH