Communities across Massachusetts have established Memory Cafes, which are free social programs for people living with dementia and those who care about them.
An updated version of the Memory Cafe Toolkit for those starting or maintaining these programs is now live at www.jfcsboston.org/MemoryCafeToolkit (English) and at www.jfcsboston.org/GuiaCafeDeMemoria (Spanish). Continue reading
Nearly half of adults ages 50-80 think they are likely to develop dementia sometime in their life, according to a new poll. Continue reading
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease! Continue reading
Governor Baker was joined by members of the Administration, Legislature and healthy aging community today at the ceremonial signing of H.4116 An Act relative to Alzheimer’s and related dementias in the Commonwealth during an event at the Alzheimer’s Association in Waltham. Continue reading
Along with Montana Democrat Governor Steve Bullock, Governor Charlie Baker co-authored an opinion-editorial in Newsweek urging both sides of the aisle to come together to support the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (S. 2076/H.R. 4256). Continue reading
Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the City of Boston’s Commission on Affairs of the Elderly launched their Age and Dementia-Friendly Business designation, a new pilot program that encourages local businesses to make their spaces and services more inclusive for people of all ages. Today’s announcement was held at Local 338 Bagels and Coffee in West Roxbury, one of nine organizations that received the designation today, which includes certificates and decals to mark their business as Age and Dementia-Friendly. Continue reading
This June, the Alzheimer’s Association is working hard to promote Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. This year their focus is highlighting the critical importance of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading
Britain is an international leader in creating Dementia Friendly Communities and one more business sector is joining the movement happening across the Atlantic. British cinemas have launched an initiative where a welcoming environment is made for those living with dementia as well as their caregivers. Continue reading
The Tufts Health Plan Foundation today announced new community investments of more than $1.1 million. The eight new grants reflect a commitment to advancing inclusive policies that create thriving and vital communities that work for people of all ages. For 2017, Foundation community investments top $3.15 million, including 30 new grants and on-going support for 15 multi-year initiatives.
“Communities have greater interest in age-friendly initiatives. There’s a growing understanding of the critical role older people play. They are an asset to community, and their voices and insights are invaluable to the public discourse on what communities need,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, vice president, corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan and president of its Foundation.
The Foundation’s new grants support initiatives to engage and train more advocates to participate in policy discussions; extend dementia-friendly programs to new communities; and address gaps limiting access to services and healthy, nutritious food. All are aligned with the Foundation’s focus on support for communities that work for everyone.
Grants in Policy and Advocacy
Grants focused on collaboration and community engagement (James Roosevelt, Jr., Leadership Fund):
The Foundation also awarded a grant focused on Systems and Best Practices.
The new grants engage nearly 80 community organizations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging (MCOA) is pleased to announce that Tufts Health Plan Foundation’s prestigious President’s Leadership Fund awarded the organization a three-year grant of $302,068 to support Dementia Friendly Massachusetts (DFM). The grant positions MCOA as the backbone organization for the Dementia Friendly Initiative so more Massachusetts communities embrace and become active dementia friendly communities. MCOA will ensure local, regional, and state actors are coordinating their activities –educating the public, training leaders of local communities, engaging regional service providers and businesses as participants in the DFM movement, developing new public policy, or creating media attention.
The DFM staff will closely collaborate with training partners from the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative and AARP to further develop and disseminate integrated approaches that communities may use to pursue both age-friendly and dementia friendly initiatives in a streamlined fashion. David Stevens, MCOA’s executive director, stated “The Tufts Health Plan Foundation’s grant will provide the resources to build strategic partnerships, educate and empower municipal leaders who manage local aging services, advocate for policies to improve the quality of life for older adults living with dementia, and ensure the delivery of quality programming to advance healthy aging for older adults.”
MCOA will oversee the DFM Management Committee that includes members from the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter, Jewish Family & Children’s Services, MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Multicultural Coalition on Aging, and Leading Age. Dementia Friendly means community institutions embed awareness about dementia friendly practices into their programs, staff training and customer service cultures. For more information, please contact Director of Special Projects, Mary Kay Browne at 413-923-4161.