Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Age Strong Commission announced the recipients of its Creating Community and Reducing Social Isolation grant, a new City program designed to provide funding to nonprofit community organizations to create new or expand current programs inviting older adults to engage more for better physical and mental health. The City is awarding $360,000 in funding to 16 nonprofit community organizations. Continue reading
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National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults Recognizes Tech Access Program from Coastline Elderly Services
A recent publication from engAGED, The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults, features 11 successful social engagement programs from the Innovations Hub that employ a variety of social engagement interventions and tap into an array of partners to reach consumers in rural, suburban and urban communities. Continue reading
Outdoor Activation Toolkit for Older Adults Created by 8-80 Cities
8 80 Cities, an organization based in Canada dedicated to enhancing parks, public spaces and mobility, in partnership with Woodgreen Community Services have come together to develop the Seniors Outdoor Activation Toolkit to support more outdoor programming, physical activity, and social connection opportunities for seniors. Continue reading
Materials and Theme Announced for Older Americans Month in May
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). Continue reading
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: Age Strong Commission, AARP Community Challenge, MHP, Mass Humanities
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages stakeholders and communities to consider the following funding opportunities that support inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities:
Age-Friendly Funding Alert: Shared Streets & Spaces, Commonwealth Places, Mass Cultural Council
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is excited to promote a fourth round of the Shared Streets & Spaces Grant Program from the Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The program, which awards bonus points for projects that are inclusive of older adults, provides funding to municipalities and public transit authorities to quickly implement improvements to plazas, sidewalks, curbs, streets, bus stops, parking areas, and other public spaces in support of public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce. Continue reading
‘Quick and Creative Street Projects’ Report from Barr, Solomon Foundations Display Impact of Local Projects
Among the ways communities adapted during the pandemic was to make simple, but impactful changes to streets and public spaces that spurred economic activity, improved walkability and enhanced safe gathering spaces.
The Barr Foundation and the Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation released a report called “Quick and Creative Street Projects: Measuring the Impact in Mass,” which puts on display a number of local projects that made it easier to get outside, commute and meet.
AP-NORC Survey Finds Continued Concerns About COVID-19, Social Isolation Among Older Adults
According to a new study of adults age 50 and older from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and funded by The SCAN Foundation, many adults age 50 and older remain worried about infection and are more likely to practice
social distancing and to feel socially isolated. Continue reading
‘Joy Walks’ Walking Clubs for Older Adults Launched in all Boston Neighborhoods
Older adults are invited to join neighborhood Joy Walks walking clubs and participate in the Joy Walks Challenge taking place September through October. Continue reading
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Available to Older Adults
As of July 4th, over 34,000 Massachusetts households have enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages communities working to become age-and dementia friendly to raise awareness about this program to help connect older adults to internet access.
The EBB provides eligible households with a temporary, monthly discount of up to $50 towards their broadband service. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Continue reading