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April 2, 2019
New report offers resources for N.H. communities working to become great places to grow up and grow old

The first-ever New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report was released this morning at a legislative breakfast at the State House. This comprehensive examination of the health of older people in the Granite State offers detailed profiles of 244 cities, towns and neighborhoods--plus maps and other tools to understand healthy aging trends and disparities throughout the state.  
   
More than 164 statewide health indicator maps show the distribution of disease, health behaviors and the extent to which health varies by zip code across the state. Prepared by a research team at the Gerontology Institute at the John W. McCormack Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts Boston, the work was funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

View infographic and read report
Massachusetts reimagines aging

More than 200 Massachusetts cities and towns are exploring ways to become more age- and dementia-friendly. Now, the state has a plan to create a welcoming and livable Commonwealth.   
 
"The United States needs to think differently about aging, and in Massachusetts we are doing just that," said Governor Charlie Baker in a recent article in AARP International. "We are focused on ensuring that those who raised families here and strengthened our communities continue to contribute their energy, experience, and talents where they live, to make Massachusetts the most age-friendly state."
 
A key milestone in this effort is Reimagine Aging, the Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan submitted to AARP. The plan reflects input from older people across the Commonwealth.   The Governor's Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts played an important role in developing the plan.  
Updated plan to address Alzheimer's in R.I.

Rhode Island has an updated roadmap to help the state address the growing number of people living with Alzheimer's. The state Alzheimer's plan was released at a press conference in the State Library. Lt. Governor Dan McKee and Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Barrington) officially unveiled the plan.  

To inform the plan, a team--including the Lt. Governor, the Alzheimer's Association of Rhode Island and the state's Division of Elderly Affairs--held 23 town hall meetings, conducted 45 expert interviews and surveyed (in English and Spanish) more than 200 Rhode Islanders impacted by Alzheimer's. This plan was made possible through joint funding from Tufts Health Plan Foundation and the Rhode Island Foundation.

In New Bedford, aging a good thing

Foundation President Nora Moreno Cargie greeted a crowd of supporters at the Age-Friendly New Bedford legislative breakfast by observing that aging is a good thing.

The event, attended by the district attorney, state lawmakers and city councilors, was hosted by Coastline Elderly Services, a Foundation grantee since 2014.

Breakfast speakers highlighted several ways the community is working to become a great place to grow up and grow old. New health and wellness programs include dementia trainings and expanded evidence-based programs. City planners are improving access to public parks. Transportation initiatives, including a web-based interactive map and large-print schedules, will make riding the bus easier for everyone.

All these programs helped the city earn the Age-Friendly Community designation last summer.

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Tufts Health Plan's spirit of giving featured in new report

Tufts Health Plan was one of 41 companies profiled in Massachusetts Business Roundtable's
#BusinessIsGood report.  
 
The piece focuses on the Foundation's community investments, our growing community engagement and the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion.  

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New name for commission shows Boston values older people

Mayor Marty Walsh announced the launch of the Age Strong Commission during his State of the City address. The commission will continue the work to make Boston inclusive, accessible and positive for people as they age.

The new name comes less than two years into the Commission's Age-Friendly action planning, funded by the Foundation. To date, the city has launched the first pilot  Senior Civic Academy; an interactive  public restrooms map;  age- and dementia-friendly business designations; an employment guide for people over 50; and staff training to educate employees on the needs of older people in Boston.

"This new name 'Age Strong' acknowledges the strength of Boston's human resources: the value, diversity and passion of its older people. Older Bostonians are an asset for this city. Their accumulated wisdom, skills and experience are examples of how we can all age strong," said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president for corporate citizenship at Tufts Health Plan. "The name is also a call to action reflecting the critical and important work of the commission."

Multicultural Coalition on Aging now part of Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative

The Multicultural Coalition on Aging (MCA) has worked to reduce linguistic and cultural barriers for more than 20 years. The group is now part of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC), where they will continue to promote access, equity and cultural inclusion.

Visit the MHAC website to learn more.
Age-friendly community conferences for Mass. and R.I.

As the age-friendly movement continues to grow, communities are interested in coming together to share emerging and best practices and learn from each other.

The Foundation is working with AARP, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative to organize a day-long summit on Wednesday, June 26, at Holy Cross College in Worcester.

Age-Friendly Rhode Island is planning a convening on Thursday, June 20, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick.

Watch for more information in the coming weeks.
In the news

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