Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.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
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‘Changing Faces of Greater Boston’ Report Highlights Increasing Diversity in the Region
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
Diverse Elders Coalition Launches New Caregiving Community Survey
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
Tips for Advocates of Limited English Proficient Older Adults
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
Training the Aging Network to Provide Culturally Competent Care for LGBTQ Older Adults
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.
NCOA: Nominate a Trailblazer in Aging
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
Resources for Achieving Health Equity in Age-Friendly Communities
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
Welcome to Pride Initiative Aims to Create Age-Inclusive Events for LGBT Older Adults
Access, Equity and Inclusion are central to the work of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, which is why we are pleased to pass along news from SAGE (Service & Advocacy for LGBT Elders) about the “Welcome to Pride Initiative.”
Created by SAGE with the generous support of AARP, the initiative is a partnership among SAGE, Centerlink, Heritage of Pride, InterPride, and The Center for Black Equity. SAGE launched “Welcome to Pride” to share how Pride organizers across the country are making Pride celebrations age-friendly, enabling people of all ages to actively participate in community activities and treating everyone with respect. Continue reading
Member Spotlight: Tamy-Feé Meneide
Tamy-Feé Meneide serves on the Executive Task Force of the Multicultural Coalition on Aging. She recently joined the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative Executive Committee to help promote greater diversity and inclusion within the Healthy Aging Collaborative. Tamy-Feé Meneide is currently the clinical research diversity coordinator at the Harvard Aging Brain Study.
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Member Spotlight: Dr. Milagros Abreu
Milagros Abreu, MD, MPH is the founder and Executive Director of the Latino Health Insurance Program, Inc. (LHIP), and serves as a Chair on the committee for diversity of the Massachusetts Medical Society and the executive committee of the Healthy Aging Collaborative. She recently received the Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for Excellence in Public Health.
You founded the Latino Health Insurance Program (LHIP). What is the LHIP?
The LHIP is a nonprofit organization that was founded to address the issue of access to medical care for Latinos in Massachusetts. Latinos are among the most affected populations when it comes to lack of medical coverage. Continue reading