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Community voices inform annual report
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Administration for Community Living (ACL) supports community-based organizations in New England
Congratulations to Hebrew Senior Life, the RI Department of Health and Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging. They were selected by ACL to pilot innovative strategies empowering thousands of older people and adults with disabilities to better manage their chronic conditions.
ACL selected a total of 15 new grantees who will reach about 38,000 older people and adults with disabilities with evidence-based self-management programs and more than 24,000 with falls prevention programs.
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Tufts Health Plan among top 20 givers in Massachusetts
The
Boston Business Journal named Tufts Health Plan the 18th most charitable company in Massachusetts during an event at Fenway Park last month. The ranking is based on total cash contributions paid to Massachusetts-based charitable organizations in 2016.
The 94 companies on the BBJ list all met the threshold of at least $100,000 in philanthropic support to Bay State nonprofits, combined for an approximate total of $273 million in charitable giving in 2016.
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Foundation wins award for commitment to diversity
Grantmakers In Aging, a national organization of funders and philanthropies dedicated to improving the experience of aging, will recognize the Foundation with the GIA Diversity Award later this month.
The award was established to honor individuals and organizations that embrace diversity as a fundamental element in all levels of their work in aging. The Foundation will accept the award at the GIA conference in Boston.
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Work begins on New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report; Massachusetts report to be updated
The UMass Boston gerontology research team is working with community partners in New Hampshire to develop the state's first comprehensive report on healthy aging.
Designed to help residents, agencies, providers and municipalities understand the older people who live in their cities and towns, the report is funded by a two-year grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.
"These reports are key tools for state and local policymakers addressing a new demographic reality," said Elizabeth Dugan, PhD, the principal investigator. "Information focused on healthy aging has informed resource allocation, service delivery and planning efforts. The reports also help advocates better understand the needs and resources in their communities."
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What does it mean to be an age-friendly employer?
The piece challenges the usual narrative about older workers, noting that for many older adults work provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Older workers deliver business benefits.
- Advantages of workers age 50-plus include experience, professionalism, work ethic, lower turnover and knowledge
- Contrary to common perception, workers age 50-plus do not cost significantly more than younger workers
To take advantage of this powerful demographic, Greene recommends employers adopt age-friendly policies. "Age-friendly employers provide telecommuting options, flexible schedules, paid time off and leave-of-absence programs. They offer workplace wellness, ergonomic programs and insurance benefits that encourage healthy behavior.. . .Not surprisingly, these age-friendly perks and benefits attract the best and brightest employees of all ages."
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Highlights from our community partners
Age-friendly leaders share insights at global collective impact convening
Two Foundation grantees, Kathi Bailey from Age-Friendly Yarmouth and Bobbie Orsi from Age-Friendly Berkshires, joined Foundation President Nora Moreno Cargie for a panel presentation at the Collective Impact Convening in Boston. The event, attended by 500+ practitioners from around the world, offered workshops and presentations to support those using collective impact to address complex community issues.
WalkBoston showcased its work during Grantmakers in Health event
WalkBoston, a Foundation grantee, hosted a site visit for more than 40 health philanthropists during the Grantmakers in Health conference. Participants completed "Pedestrian Advocacy 101" and met community members and staff to learn what it takes to transform neighborhoods into age-friendly environments.
Jan Mutchler honored by Boston Globe
For her work on the Age-Friendly Boston initiative, UMass Boston Professor Jan Mutchler was honored as a
"Game Changer" by the
Boston Globe. The Globe cited her leadership in the "movement to make cities more conducive to healthy aging" and the Foundation for supporting this work. Jan provides technical support to the Age-Friendly Boston initiative through a grant supported by the Foundation.
Foundation-funded initiatives highlighted at senior housing event in Rhode Island
Marianne Raimondo represented Age-Friendly Rhode Island and Roberta Merkle St. Elizabeth Community during a forum hosted by Rhode Island Housing, LeadingAge RI and HousingWorks RI. The event spurred conversations around senior health and housing.
Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC) is taking action to advance diversity and access within the age- and dementia-friendly movements. The executive committee includes two new members: Barbara Salisbury, the chief executive officer for MAB Community Services (formerly Massachusetts Association for the Blind), and Bill Henning, executive director of the Boston Center for Independent Living. MHAC is also establishing an advisory committee to deepen its work on access, equity and cultural inclusion. "Our goal is to create livable and inclusive communities that support and engage older adults and those living with dementia," said James Fuccione, senior director of MHAC.
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Boston charts age-friendly course
T
he
Age-Friendly Boston Action Plan
is a blueprint to make Boston the best city and place to live for older adults
within three years
. Launched in April by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston's Elderly Commission, the 75-point plan addresses specific actions the city can take to become more age-friendly.
Development of the plan was supported by a grant from the Foundation and led by a team from the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston.
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Governor's Council hosts listening sessions
The Governor's Council to Address Aging In Massachusetts held four listening sessions during the summer. At the Barnstable and Pittsfield meetings, standing-room only crowds of older adults, caregivers and community-based organizations working with older adults shared their perspectives and insights into the issues facing their respective communities.
A number of Foundation grantees participated in the meetings, including Age-Friendly Yarmouth's Jan Hively, Coastline Elderly Services' Christine Sullivan, James Fuccione from the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative and many representatives from Age-Friendly Berkshires. Foundation President Nora Moreno Cargie serves on the council.
Several themes emerged throughout the hearings: transportation and housing; access to health care, especially for those with sight and hearing disabilities; social isolation; concern over repealing ACA; and the need to prioritize increasing awareness of issues facing older adults, including ageism. The council will use the information gathered at these meetings to guide its work.
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SAVE THE DATE: Information session set for November 30
To answer your questions about how we fund, we're hosting another interactive session on the Foundation's grant application process and the impact we want to make with our investments.
During this session, we will talk about our over-arching strategy with specific information on Systems and Best Practices, our largest focus area. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet with our staff and share feedback in smaller groups. Those who attended previous sessions tell us they found it helpful to connect with other potential grantees and discuss issues of common interest.
Date: Thursday, November 30
Time: 2:30- 4 p.m. (Registration opens at 2 p.m.)
Location: Tufts Health Plan Foundation, 705 Mt. Auburn St, Watertown, MA or via webinar
Registration will open in early November. Watch your email for link to register online.
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Report details
dementia-friendly activities across the Commonwealth
The Report on Demographics, Programs, and Services for an Age- and Dementia-Friendly Commonwealth: What We Have and What We Need provides a comprehensive look at the current activities and resources in place to support populations over 65 years old and those living with dementia and their caregivers.
Key recommendations include:
- Increasing awareness of the dementia prevalence rates and trends.
- Developing and disseminating toolkits and resources on building age- and dementia-friendly communities.
- Targeting underserved communities to help build their capacity for dementia-friendly work.
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