According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, caregivers, particularly persons with both parenting and adult caregiving responsibilities, will continue to face mental health challenges, and the need for caregivers is projected to increase as the U.S. population ages.
Age and dementia friendly community initiatives may consider how to be inclusive of caregiver needs when engaging residents for feedback and when crafting an action plan. Continue reading
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind national hotline to connect people with disabilities to information and services to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines. Continue reading
As many older adults get back to normal life across the United States thanks to high rates of vaccination and lower COVID-19 activity, a new poll suggests many should watch their alcohol intake. Continue reading
The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the release of the year two progress report for ReiMAgine Aging, the Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan which serves as the state’s multiyear plan to make the Commonwealth more age- and dementia-friendly. Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs Elizabeth Chen submitted the report at a virtual event to AARP Massachusetts State Director Mike Festa with communities and organizations engaged in the age- and dementia-friendly movement in attendance. Continue reading
With a goal to raise awareness around services and supports for older adults and caregivers, the Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition and Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative have partnered to create an informational resource available in multiple languages that will be distributed at COVID-19 vaccination sites managed by CIC Health. Continue reading
An issue brief published by Kaiser Family Foundation dives into the rapid expansion of telehealth during the pandemic. For example, among the vast majority of Medicare beneficiaries with a usual source of care (95%), such as a doctor or other health professional, or a clinic, nearly two-thirds (64% or 33.6 million) say that their provider currently offers telehealth appointments, up from 18% who said their provider offered telehealth before the pandemic.
But nearly a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries (23%) say they don’t know if their provider offers telehealth appointments, and this percentage is larger among beneficiaries who live in rural areas (30%). Continue reading
The Federal Communications Commission today (5/12) kicked off the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this program will make available up to $3.2 billion worth of consumer discounts on broadband services and equipment like computers and tablets. Continue reading
On Thursday, May 27th from 10:30 to 11:30 AM we will be holding a virtual celebration to recognize Older Americans Month and release the Massachusetts ReiMAgine Aging: Year Two Progress Report. Continue reading
Several communities in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, including many Massachusetts-based initiatives, pursued innovative outreach strategies, and deployed its volunteer corps, to assist in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines. Continue reading
As of Monday, April 5th, residents 55+ and residents with one certain medical condition are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at any of the Commonwealth’s over 300 vaccination locations, including 269 pharmacy locations. With this group, more than 1 million additional residents are eligible for vaccine in the Commonwealth. Continue reading