In the past week, the state has announced the latest grant awards for MassDOT’s Shared Winter Streets and Spaces program, Affordable Housing Development, and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) – all of which include multiple projects that support older adults.
All of the following award announcements are great examples for age- and dementia friendly communities looking to address housing, transportation and community services.
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
People ages 75 and older are eligible for the vaccine beginning on February 1st. Individuals age 75 or older can begin making appointments for dates Monday, February 1 or later as early as Wednesday, January 27.
Please note, it may take several weeks to get an appointment at a location near you. As more vaccine supply arrives in Massachusetts, additional appointments will become available.
Whether it is called “age-friendly health care” or “person-centered care for older adults,” this month has seen reports and publications focus and advocate for better health care that truly meets the needs of older people. Continue reading
MassHealth is working with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to amend the Frail Elder (FEW) Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver. CMS typically approves Home and Community Based Services waivers for a period of five years. Changes to an approved waiver must be submitted to CMS in the form of a Request for an Amendment. Continue reading
Based on this recommendation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory group, the Baker Administration has updated prioritization so that individuals age 75+ are included in Phase 2, Group 1, along with individuals of all ages with 2+ comorbidities. Continue reading
A new report from The Fenway Institute finds that older LGBTQ adults in the Commonwealth report being diagnosed with depression at twice the rate of their straight, cisgender peers, and are twice as likely to fall and be injured in a fall over the past year.
It also finds that while older LGBTQ adults are more likely to hold a college degree, they are more likely to report having had difficulty paying for housing or food over the past year. LGBTQ older adults living in rural areas of the state expressed concern about the lack of options for LGBTQ-affirming health care, as well as their on-going experiences with strong anti-LGBTQ prejudice and harassment in public settings and senior housing. Continue reading
In recognition of Veterans Day, the National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) is helping advocates and attorneys by releasing a set of recommended resources. Continue reading
The fourth edition of the recently released 2020 LTSS (Long Term Services and Supports) State Scorecard ranks Massachusetts as 10th among state systems supporting older adults, people living with disabilities and their caregivers, according to state-level data compiled and analyzed by AARP, the Commonwealth Fund and the SCAN Foundation. Continue reading
The Mass. Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to share a variety of funding opportunities that communities and partnering organizations can use to advance age- and dementia friendly initiatives.
Please see the latest opportunities below: Continue reading
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