Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.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
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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
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: MassDevelopment, MassMobility, Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
The Mass. Healthy Aging Collaborative reminds age-friendly communities and other stakeholders that several opportunities exist around creating “shared streets and spaces,” as the state works to reopen amidst COVID-19. Please see our previous blog post for more information on this set of funding opportunities, as well as others to support communities for all ages below: Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: Solomon Foundation’s ‘Streets for Recovery’
A dilemma facing communities right now is how to reopen while keeping residents safe through physical distancing. In a time when we’re required to maintain physical distance to protect public health, streets need to do more than ever. Continue reading
Find Your Local City’s “ParkScore” on Trust for Public Land Index
According to the Trust for Public Land, Boston ranks ninth among all US cities on their ParkScore Index that ranks communities based on accessibility to parks and recreation facilities.
Cities of all sizes (towns are not included in the data) are able to see how many of their residents live within a ten-minute walk to a park, with numbers broken down by age, race, and income. Continue reading
Accessing Age-Friendly Parks, Trails and Community Walks During COVID-19
Older adults – and people of all ages – looking to remain active and get outside during the COVID-19 pandemic have resources to find accessible parks, trails and community walks, along with reminders of social distancing. Continue reading