New estimates from the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston find that millions of older adults, especially those living alone, continue to live on incomes that fall below the Elder IndexTM, a county-by-county measure of the income needed by adults aged 65 or older to meet their basic needs and age in place. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Access/Equity/Inclusion
Dementia Action Alliance Announces Comprehensive How-to Manual, “Pathways to Well-Being with Dementia”
The Dementia Action Alliance recently released a comprehensive resource called “Pathways to Wellbeing with Dementia: A Manual of Help, Hope and Inspiration,” which offers essential information about living well with dementia by people living with dementia, care partners and leading dementia specialists. Continue reading
Supporting Diverse Family Caregivers: A Guide for Patient Advocacy Groups
The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) has released a new publication to assist patient advocacy groups in their efforts to support diverse family caregivers.
Through research with professional patient advocacy group representatives and diverse family caregivers in the condition areas of lung cancer, heart disease, blood cancer and lupus, Supporting Diverse Family Caregivers: A Guide for Patient Advocacy Groups addresses the impact of culture and identity on the way that family caregivers provide care, and introduces ways in which patient advocacy groups can support their caregiving experience through culturally responsive resources and supports. Continue reading
MDAR Receives $1.4 Million to Increase Seniors’ Access to Locally Grown, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced recently that Massachusetts has been awarded $1,410,222 to expand the highly popular Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). The award was granted by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Continue reading
Point32Health Foundation Awards $690,000 to Organizations Addressing Homelessness in New England
The Point32Health Foundation announced that five New England nonprofits in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island working to eliminate homelessness will receive grants totaling $690,000. These resources support organizations as they address the health and wellness of people experiencing homelessness, increase affordable housing options and advance advocacy initiatives. Continue reading
MassHealth Redeterminations Begin April 1, Releases Outreach Toolkit
Starting April 1, 2023, all current MassHealth members will need to renew their health coverage to ensure they still qualify for their current benefit. These renewals will take place over 12 months. To assist stakeholders in engaging MassHealth members, the Commonwealth created an outreach toolkit. Continue reading
Free Training Course, LearnACP, Can Help Communities and Organizations Connect Older Adults to Internet Access
EducationSuperHighway has released LearnACP, a new training course and certification for states, cities, and community-based organizations working to increase awareness and adoption of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The new training is offered for free by the national non-profit and is designed to prepare individuals who support potential beneficiaries to determine if they qualify for the program, complete the application, and enroll in an affordable internet plan.
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages age- and dementia friendly community stakeholders to promote this opportunity to connect older adults in internet access.
MAPC Releases Winter Energy Price Spike Toolkit
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) created a toolkit to encourage municipal governments, state legislators, nonprofits, educational institutions, and individuals to use to communicate with residents about available tools and resources to help grapple with these winter energy cost increases. The toolkit may also be useful to communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly. Continue reading
AARP Highlights Stories of Older Adults Impacted by Interstate Highway System Construction
When the interstate highway system was created in the mid-20th century, the routes isolated or destroyed urban neighborhoods nationwide, particularly those with predominantly Black or poor populations. AARP is highlighting seven older adults who lived in those places share their memories and observations in a series called “Before the Highway.”
New Index from PHI Ranks States on Direct Care Workforce Policy Supports
A new online tool is available to help policymakers, advocates, and other leaders in various states understand how they support direct care workers, where they can improve, and how they compare to other states.
Created and led by PHI, the Direct Care Workforce State Index offers an interactive, data-driven picture of how states’ public policies support direct care workers and how these workers are faring financially. Continue reading