Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.In their latest newsletter, AARP’s Livable Communities team focuses on bicycling and older adults by promoting a free webinar and ways bike lanes improve safety for all, including those who don’t use a bike. Continue reading
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Age-Friendly Winter Spaces Guide Aims to Help Communities Embrace Winter, Promote Physical Activity and Social Engagement
Through grant funding, collaboration, and technical support, communities across Massachusetts have an opportunity to support residents of all ages in remaining physically active and socially engaged this winter.
The pandemic has heightened the awareness and importance of social engagement, which cities and towns can promote with a new guide developed by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, WalkBoston and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative. Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: MassDOT Shared Winter Streets and Spaces
The latest round of Mass. Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Shared Winter Streets and Spaces features new project categories that award bonus points for proposals that include older adults. Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: MassTrails
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages communities and regions seeking to become more age and dementia friendly to consider the new round of MassTrails grants.
The program supports recreational trail and shared use pathway projects across the Commonwealth. Grant amounts are dependent on the project and its needs, but generally range from $5,000 to $100,000 with grants of up to $300,000 awarded to projects demonstrating critical network connections of regional significance. Continue reading
Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Boston Age Strong Commission Receive Golden Shoe Award from WalkBoston
WalkBoston virtually presented their annual ‘Golden Shoe’ awards to those that advanced their mission of creating safe and walkable environments for all and, this year, those honorees included the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and Boston’s Age Strong Commission. Continue reading
Results from AARP Survey Reveal Preferences of 50+ Cyclists and Tips for Local Action
Nearly 3,000 older adults across the country answered questions in an AARP survey about their cycling history and habits, any changes in their bicycling routine during the past year — including since the COVID-19 pandemic — and preferences for cycling locations and conditions. Continue reading
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation Supports ESMV-NS in Launching First-of-its-Kind Virtual ‘A Matter of Balance’ Program
Due to COVID-19, the popular A Matter of Balance (MOB) program was temporarily put on pause.
Earlier this summer, MaineHealth, the home of the MOB program, reached out to Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore to discuss a virtual adaptation of the program. ETHOS of Boston and Bristol Elder Services joined ESMV-NS to pilot the program via Zoom thanks to funding from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation. This pilot is the first of its kind anywhere. Continue reading
Smart Growth America, CDC Launch ‘Champions Institute’ to Promote Complete Streets and Physical Activity
Smart Growth America (SGA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity are now accepting applications for the Champions Institute, a new initiative for elected officials focused on safe streets and healthy communities. This is an opportunity for elected leaders of Age-and Dementia Friendly Communities to learn more about the concepts of Complete Streets and inclusive street policies and practices.
The Champions Institute will serve to prepare mayors, city council people, tribal representatives, and other local elected-officials to act as champions supporting plans, policies, and funding that promote activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations, as part of the Active People, Healthy Nation Initiative. Continue reading
Help Inform the Future of the Mass in Motion Program by Joining an Upcoming Listening Session
The Bureau of Community Health and Prevention at the MA Department of Public Health is hosting listening sessions to inform the future of the Mass in Motion program and those in the Mass. Healthy Aging Collaborative network are encouraged to join.
Through this series of listening sessions, MDPH will collect stakeholder input on elements of a Request for Response (RFR) that will fund local efforts to improve Social Determinants of Health through the Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Initiative. Continue reading
New Walk Audit Worksheets Available for Communities Working to Become Age-Friendly
The new AARP Walk Audit Worksheets are easy to print from home, easy to complete, and easy to use by anyone who want to make their community more livable and pedestrian-friendly for people of all ages. Each worksheet can be used on its own or in combination. Each can be printed anew for observing a different street or block. Continue reading