The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to promote the following events from our Statewide Network of partners:
- Caring for the Caregiver Webinar Series – The Empowered Caregiver: Communicating Effectively with Individuals Living with Dementia, hosted by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE), Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH, and the Mass Technology Collaborative (Thursday, 4/24 from 12:00-1:00 PM)
Effective communication is key to building meaningful connections with individuals living with dementia. As Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias progress, communication skills decline, making it essential for caregivers to adapt their approach.
Registration and info are available here.
Across the nation, many older adults struggle to make ends meet. The Elder Index, produced by the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston, suggests that roughly 30 percent of older households have incomes below what it takes to meet basic needs and age in place. It is not clear, however, how Massachusetts compares to the nation in terms of retirement security. On the one hand, Massachusetts is a relatively wealthy state. But, on the other hand, Massachusetts has a high cost of living and persistent economic inequality, making low-income seniors and those of color particularly vulnerable in retirement.
The mixed-methods report that we’ll be releasing at this event – a collaboration between Boston Indicators and the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College – examines these issues across two sections: Part 1 is a quantitative analysis, exploring the sources of income and wealth available to older households in Massachusetts, estimating the share of older households falling below Elder Index thresholds; and documenting racial disparities in retirement security. Part 2 is a qualitative analysis, presenting findings from structured interviews with low-income, low-wealth seniors to understand what strategies they use to make ends meet.
This report release event will include a presentation of the report followed by audience Q&A.
Registration is available here.
- Technology Learning Collaborative for Healthy Aging (5/8 from 10 to 11:30 am)
Join the Technology Learning Collaborative for Healthy Aging, co-hosted by the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative and the Executive Office of Aging & Independence on May 8th from 10:00 to 11:30 to to learn and share updates on best practices as well as funding and partnership opportunities regarding digital equity and older adults.
Presentations will feature Greenfield Community College and their partnership with CyberSeniors and their local council on aging. Attendees will also hear about advocacy updates on legislation that would promote affordable internet options and digital navigation support from Mass Law Reform Institute and the Alliance for Digital Equity.
Registration is available here.
- Harnessing the Power of Technology to Change the Way We Age, hosted by MassAITC (4/22 from 4:00-5:00 PM)
Our society is aging alongside a rapid increase in the evolution and advancement of technology that mediates daily life. The use and adoption of technology by older adults has increased in the recent past, but differences remain with their younger counterparts and the effects of digital disconnection in later life are more acute. This session will present recent technology adoption and use trends among older adults as well as accompanying solutions that can aid in the adoption of technology by older adults, including future directions and expected developments.
The webinar will feature Alex Glazebrook, Vice President, Programs, Older Adults Technology Service from AARP. This session will present recent technology adoption and use trends among older adults as well as accompanying solutions that can aid in the adoption of technology by older adults, including future directions and expected developments.
More information and registration are available here.