Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.Communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly can apply for a free technical assistance opportunity from Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) via the organization’s program called “Municipal Engagement Initiative Lite.”
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Report on Housing and Health Equity from JCHS Shows Age-Friendly Networks Played Critical Role in Pandemic Response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many older adults faced social isolation and disruptions in access to food, medical care, and supportive services. In response, organizations that support older people improvised solutions to address these challenges. A new report, Advancing Housing and Health Equity for Older Adults: Pandemic Innovations and Policy Ideas, examines how these responses, most of which were intended to be temporary, might improve housing and supports for older adults and address longstanding inequities. Continue reading
New Resource: ‘Age- and Dementia Friendly Design Considerations for Physical Infrastructure’
The Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias created a workgroup with a goal of defining age-and dementia friendly design considerations for physical infrastructure, disseminating those findings and advocating for their inclusion in relevant state funding programs.
That workgroup is pleased to share the culmination of that work in the form of a guide titled Age and Dementia Friendly Design Considerations for Physical Infrastructure, which highlights design considerations supporting people living with dementia and focused on four types of infrastructure: Continue reading
AARP Announces Resource on ‘Discovering and Developing Missing Middle Housing’
Created by AARP Livable Communities and Opticos Design, Discovering and Developing Missing Middle Housing provides age- and dementia friendly communities, local leaders, building and planning professionals, and involved community members with information about what Missing Middle Housing is, where it still exists, and why it’s time for communities nationwide to return this versatile residence type to America’s housing portfolio. Continue reading
NORC Report: Many Middle-Income Seniors Will Not Be Able to Pay for Long-Term Care and Housing in 10 Years
A new NORC analysis updating the groundbreaking “Forgotten Middle” study finds that there will be 16 million middle-income seniors in 2033, many of whom will struggle to pay for the health, personal care, and housing services that they need. For instance, excluding home equity, nearly three-quarters of middle-income seniors in 2033 will have insufficient financial resources to pay for assisted living, if they need and want it. Even with home equity, nearly 40% will not be able to afford assisted living. Continue reading
Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard Launches Home Modification Program Based on Age-Friendly Assessment Data
Following strong feedback from their age- and dementia friendly needs assessment survey that 97% of their 2,500 survey respondents wish to remain at home as they age, Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard was able to create a pilot program to support home modifications. Continue reading
Upcoming Events in Healthy Aging
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages stakeholders and communities involved in the age- and dementia friendly movement to check out the following upcoming events: Continue reading
Final Guidelines Issued on Multi-Family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development released final guidelines on a multi-family zoning requirement for MBTA communities, which comes after a series of listening sessions and nearly 400 comments via an online portal sparked by the the draft version.
How the State Legislature’s $52.7 Billion Budget Supports Older Adults
Last week, the Massachusetts legislature passed a $52.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). Here are some of the items that support older adults and healthy aging: Continue reading
New England’s First LGBTQ-Friendly Affordable Senior Housing Breaks Ground in Boston
Public officials recently gathered for a groundbreaking at the site of a former school in Hyde Park that will eventually transform into 74 mixed-income rental units intended for LGBTQ people ages 62 and older. Continue reading