In addition to an evolving COVID-19 resource page, MHAC is continuing to collect and share updates on COVID-19 from state government, federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control, and other key stakeholders.
These updates are to help and inform a wide range of individuals and partners, including communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly.
Please see the latest updates below: Continue reading
Forty community-based organizations each will receive a Momentum Fund mini-grant of up to $10,000 from Tufts Health Plan Foundation. Now in its second year, the fund was established to foster promising ideas and support cities and towns in their efforts to make their communities better places to grow up and grow old. This is the first year Connecticut nonprofits will receive Momentum Fund mini-grants. Continue reading
The Massachusetts Councils on Aging have announced two opportunities to join the association’s staff supporting the councils across the state. Please see these opportunities below and pass along to any who may be interested. Continue reading
More than 1 in 3 adults enrolled in MassHealth are seniors or eligible on the basis of a disability, according to a new report called “Faces of MassHealth: Portrait of a Diverse Population.” Continue reading
A new report provides improved perspective and data on the increasing racial and ethnic diversity of Greater Boston, which is especially important as communities in that region work to create inclusive Age- and Dementia Friendly environments. Continue reading
The Diverse Elders Coalition recently launched a new online survey for family caregivers in communities of color, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities.
The Caregiving Community Survey is an opportunity for anyone providing care for an aging spouse, partner, parent, grandparent, other relative, neighbor, or friend to anonymously share their experiences and help the Diverse Elders Coalition develop tools and resources to better meet the needs of our communities. Continue reading
A new National Center on Law and Elder Rights “PRACTICE TIP” offers advice to advocates and counselors working with Limited English Proficient (LEP) older adults to better assert their language access rights. Continue reading
The following background and issue brief from the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation promotes cultural competency training for aging service providers on the unique needs of LGBTQ older adults.
Though the world has gotten more tolerant toward people who identify as LGBTQ, significant fear and barriers still exist in the health system, particularly for LGBTQ older adults. When you couple this fear with providers ill-equipped to handle the unique needs of LGBTQ older adults, you have a health system that allows these consumers to fall through the cracks.
To help address some of these barriers, the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation has put together a new issue brief, authored by staff members at SAGE, about the importance of training aging service providers on the unique needs of LGBTQ older adults and on meeting those needs in a culturally competent manner. This brief describes SAGE’s cultural competency training program and shares a case study of how this training helped one large provider organization, Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY).
The Center also produced a video in collaboration with SAGE in 2017, “The Main Thing: Respect,” which includes older adults in this population sharing their perspectives on this topic.
The Trailblazer in Aging Awards presented by the National Council on Aging (NCOA)recognize the unique contributions and leadership of individuals and organizations working to empower every person to age well. The Awards honor those committed to ensuring that each of us is able to age with our best possible health and economic security. Continue reading
At MHAC, health equity is central to our promotion and support of Age-Friendly communities that work for all. Among our core strategies is a focus on embedding access, equity and inclusion throughout our efforts.
This set of resources from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation can benefit those helping to guide their cities and towns towards becoming more Age- and Dementia Friendly. The site provides helpful knowledge of what it means to have health equity present in a community, and how stakeholders can take steps to achieve it. Continue reading
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