NEWS

Upcoming Events: Dementia Friends Training, Dementia Education for First Responders, Tech. Learning Collaborative for Healthy Aging

Jan 7, 2026

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to promote the following meetings from our network of partners that promote inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities.

  • Reminder: Free Training for First Responders to Support People Living with Dementia

An annual, free opportunity for age- and dementia friendly communities will be available in mid-January when the Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH hosts “UNDERSTAND, APPROACH & RESPOND: Effective Interventions for First Responders.”

The goal of this training is to educate Fire and EMS personnel on the impact that Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias may have on individuals and communities. This program has been developed specifically for Fire and EMS. Strategies acquired from this training will provide an understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, and will help personnel optimize the effectiveness of responding during interventions with persons living with dementia, and their families.

There will be two chances for Fire and EMS personnel to take this virtual training:

  1. January 14th at 7:00 AM with Melissa Grenier, LCSW, Regional Manager, New Hampshire,
    Alzheimer’s Association (Register Here)
  2. January 22nd at 6:00 PM with Jennifer Hoadley, CDP, Regional Manager, Southeastern Mass., Alzheimer’s Association (Register Here)
  • Dementia Friends, session on 1/14 and upcoming Champion Training

Dementia Friends is a global public awareness program that helps everyone in a community learn about dementia, how it affects people, and the simple things that we can all do to make a difference.

There are two ways to participate in Dementia Friends: (1) Attend an information session to become a Dementia Friend. (2) Attend a Champion training to learn to lead your own information session.

Check out this flyer for details and registration for the upcoming virtual session on 1/14.

 

  • Technology Learning Collaborative for Healthy Aging, virtual, 1/29 from 1:00-2:30 pm

Join the Technology Learning Collaborative for Healthy Aging, cohosted by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, on 1/29 to learn and share updates on best practices as well as funding and partnership opportunities regarding digital equity and older adults.

When: January 29th, 1pm-2:30 pm

Where: Zoom, register here  

Who: This meeting will feature Virginia Benzan – Mass. Digital Equity Coalition, Mario Rubano – Older Adults Technology Services from AARP (OATS) Northeast, Kathy Bisbee – Alliance for Digital Equity, Cheryl Coss – Mass. Broadband Institute (MBI)

What: On January 29th, join the Technology Learning Collaborative, cohosted by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative to stay up-to-date on the latest in digital equity for older adults. We will learn about best practices for supporting digital equity in our communities, as well as potential funding and partnership opportunities. This January, we will feature presentations from the Mass Broadband Institute, Older Adult Technology Services (OATS), Alliance for Digital Equity, and the Mass. Digital Equity Coalition.

Information and registration is also available in this flyer.