Through grant funding, collaboration, and technical support, communities across Massachusetts have an opportunity to support residents of all ages in remaining physically active and socially engaged this winter.
The pandemic has heightened the awareness and importance of social engagement, which cities and towns can promote with a new guide developed by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, WalkBoston and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative. Continue reading
As part of several workgroups and initiatives to address the digital divide among older adults – an issue that has been heightened during the pandemic – the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative recently co-hosted a webinar with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs on “Understanding Technology as a Social Determinant of Health.”
The webinar featured research from a team of professors and students at Babson College that focused on equitable technology access and utilization for older adults. Continue reading
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (“MAPC”) in partnership with MassDevelopment, has developed this state-wide Taxi/Livery Partnership Grant program to provide funding for grantees to contract with taxicab, livery, or hackney businesses for transportation and delivery needs for the Commonwealth’s vulnerable populations and others. Continue reading
A design competition called ‘Winter Places‘ has led to a design guide encouraging residents and visitors to visit and spend time on our main streets during colder winter weather while also encouraging shopping and dining at area small businesses. Continue reading
The work conducted by the Task Force to End Loneliness and Build Community, UMass-Boston researchers and AARP Massachusetts led to a virtual summit early in October and a newly released resource with examples that communities can implement to address isolation and improve social connectivity. Continue reading
engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults is a national effort to increase social engagement among older adults. Administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) with funding from the U.S. Administration for Community
Living—and in collaboration with Generations United, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) and Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes—engAGED identifies and disseminates information about emerging trends, resources and replication strategies that the Aging
Network can customize to engage older adults in their communities. Continue reading
Recognizing that not everyone can afford the cost of a voice or broadband connection, the Lifeline Program provides a monthly discount for eligible low-income consumers on a wireless or residential voice, broadband or voice-broadband bundled service from a certified Massachusetts Lifeline Provider.
Although there are several providers participating in the Lifeline program in Massachusetts, each eligible household can only subscribe to one Lifeline service. Consumers qualify for Lifeline by having income of 135 percent or below of the federal poverty guidelines or by participating in one of the following public assistance programs: Continue reading
Join the Taskforce to End Loneliness and Build Community on Thursday, October 1st for a state-wide summit to disseminate information about raising public awareness, growing intergenerational opportunities and specific strategies to build community in a variety of ways. Continue reading
This month, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts released its findings from Phase I of the Social Prescription Pilot Program, which launched in January 2020 in Springfield and Berkshire County. Continue reading
Since March, the MetroWest Health Foundation has pivoted its grantmaking and operations to support the region’s efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic. In response to community listening and engagement, the foundation is including “COVID-19 Social Isolation Among Older Adults.” Continue reading