Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.TIME Magazine published an article examining a national trend of an aging population contrasted with support for home-delivered and group meals that lag behind the demographic shift and inflation. Continue reading
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New Bedford Chosen for NCOA Nutrition Assistance Program
New Bedford is helping to lead the way for Age- and Dementia Friendly Community efforts in Massachusetts and will soon be benefiting from a partnership between the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and Health eVillages, a non-profit organization that provides free, state-of-the-art medical mobile technology to underserved areas.
This collaboration will help reduce food insecurity by enabling local volunteers in nine states to conduct home visits and outreach events using mobile tablets for SNAP eligibility assessments and applications. Continue reading
First Projects Funded by the Massachusetts Food Trust Program
Food access can be a concern in many communities working to become Age- and Dementia Friendly, but the Massachusetts Food Trust Program reached a milestone in funding its first projects, which will address and improve how people across the state get their hands on healthy eating options. Continue reading
Boston Food Resource Maps Aim to Provide Better Access to Healthy Meal Options
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s Office of Food Access has created food resource maps in six languages for each of the city’s neighborhoods with a goal of improving the availability to healthy eating options for all residents.
The Massachusetts Municipal Association highlighted the maps in a recent article in their “Community Corner” newsletter that promotes best practices and examples that other cities and towns can follow. The Healthy Aging Collaborative is recognizing the Boston Food Access Maps as a best practice specifically for Age-Friendly Communities. Continue reading
7 Steps to Healthy, Happy Aging
Cross-Posted from Sunrise Senior Living
By Julia Little
Growing old presents new challenges to staying healthy and in good spirits. By following these tips, seniors can minimize the risk of getting sick, less independent or unhappy in their golden years. Continue reading
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
Healthy eating across the lifespan: What the 2015 dietary guidelines may mean for older adults
By Elizabeth Costello, MPH, JSI | Project Manager, MA Healthy Aging Collaborative website
Most of us know the healthy diet drill by now: Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. But if you have been avoiding eggs in order to limit your cholesterol intake, you may be interested in the recent advisory report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which suggests that within the context of current intake levels, dietary cholesterol is no longer a “nutrient of concern” for overconsumption. However, this does not mean you can eat all the eggs you want – one a day or two every other day is fine. Continue reading
Nutrition for Older Adults: 5 Simple Tips for Healthier Eating
By Angel Bourgoin, PhD, Consultant, JSI
March is National Nutrition Month!
Healthy eating, together with physical activity, is important to leading a healthy lifestyle. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy, and nuts can also help reduce the risk of many health problems, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
It’s important to remember that healthy eating is not about following a strict diet or depriving yourself of the foods that you love. The fact is that eating is fun! It’s an essential, enjoyable part of life. Continue reading
8 Easy Ways to Improve Your Heart Health
Cross-posted from Hebrew SeniorLife
By Jennifer Rhodes-Kropf, M.D., Hebrew SeniorLife
February is American Heart Health month, which makes it a great time to make changes that can improve the health of your heart. As a geriatrician at Center Communities of Brookline, I’m thrilled when patients want to make changes to positively impact their health, especially the health of the heart. Cardiovascular disease (which includes heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure) continues to be the number 1 killer of men and women in the U.S. This amazing organ needs to be protected and properly cared for to remain healthy for years to come. Continue reading
Healthy Living = Healthy Aging
By Ann L. Hartstein, Secretary, Executive Office of Elder Affairs
September is Healthy Aging month, and healthy living is the path to healthy aging. Five years ago the Patrick Administration launched its Aging Agenda, just ahead of the Baby Boomer Age In, which began in 2011 as the first of the boomers celebrated their 65th birthdays. Acknowledging that aging begins at birth, and that all of us who are alive are aging, the Aging Agenda is based on nine principles for a healthy lifestyle. Continue reading