Recently, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Blog featured a piece on disaster preparedness and relief for older adults. Specifically, NCOA received funding from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to pilot a disaster recovery and preparedness program for low-income older adults in disaster-prone communities. NCOA focused on digital outreach and holistic casework. Continue reading
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Age-Friendly Funding Opportunity: Recreation Economy for Communities
As reported in the AARP Livable Communities newsletter, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities assistance program. Despite the name, the EPA states that the opportunity is available to small towns and economically disadvantaged communities. Continue reading
National Poll on Healthy Aging Finds Feelings of Isolation Among Older Adults with Health Issues
One in four older adults say they feel isolated from other people at least some of the time, and one in three say they lack regular companionship, according to a new national poll. Continue reading
ACL Announces Theme and Resources for Older Americans Month
In preparation for Older Americans Month in May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) has announced a theme that compliments the Age- and Dementia Friendly Movement. The 2019 theme is “Connect, Create, Contribute,” which encourages older adults and their communities to:
- Connect with friends, family, and services that support participation.
- Create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment.
- Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.
In Good Company Challenge Announces Winners of 2018 Optimal Aging Challenge
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative joined a group of industry, academic and government partners affiliated with Governor Charlie Baker’s Council to Address Aging to announce the winners of the In Good Company: The 2018 Optimal Aging Challenge, a global competition designed to identify breakthrough solutions to social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Continue reading
AARP Releases Guide to Creating Age-Friendly Parks and Public Spaces
AARP’s Livable Communities team has released a free, step-by-step guide to developing fun, safe and healthy outdoor places. Continue reading
Massachusetts Tech, Innovation, and Aging Service Leaders Launch Global Competition to Improve Healthy Aging and Social Isolation
A global innovation challenge for the improvement of well-being in aging populations was announced today by a group of industry, academic and government partners affiliated with Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s Council to Address Aging.
The In Good Company: The 2018 Optimal Aging Challenge seeks to develop breakthrough technologies, community resources and solutions that reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Continue reading
RWJ Foundation Announces Funding for Social Isolation Solutions
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has announced a unique call for proposals for solutions adapted from international models to combat social isolation. The opportunity, which is dubbed “Developing Solutions for Social isolation in the U.S.: Learning from the World, commences October 30, 2017 and ends December 21, 2017.
RWJ Foundation has already hosted a webinar earlier this month, but has made the slides and webinar recording available for prospective applicants.
For more information, see RWJ Foundation’s announcement below: 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: Janet Seckel-Cerrotti
Janet Seckel-Cerrotti is the Executive Director of FriendshipWorks, where she has been helping to match volunteers with socially isolated elders for 30 years.
What is FriendshipWorks?
FriendshipWorks is a nonprofit dedicated to helping elders in the Boston and Brookline area who are isolated and in need of a helping hand, a person to talk to, a friend. With over 62,000 elders living in Boston, more than 22,000 are currently living alone. Social isolation and loneliness among elders can be debilitating both emotionally and physically. It’s a growing problem for today’s generation, but we have a simple solution. Continue reading