MCOA Aging Matters News

September 17, 2024 | Issue 39

Get ready to ride the wave of excitement at the MCOA Fall Conference!

We’re thrilled to announce our Conference Tracks & Workshops—packed with innovative ideas, expert speakers, and hands-on sessions that you won’t want to miss. Whether you're diving into MySeniorCenter training or exploring AARP’s latest offerings, there's something for everyone.

📅 Don’t miss the boat—this year, we’re taking it to the next level at the stunning Sea Crest Beach Hotel & Resort in Falmouth, MA. It’s the perfect blend of learning and leisure, right by the ocean!

👉 Sign up now and secure your spot at the premier conference for Council on Aging professionals

Already have your ticket? The APP with workshops, speakers tracks and times are loaded - use your email address you registered for the conferenc eand follow the connection prompt email!

Let’s make waves together! 🌟

Already Registered? Get the APP and browse workshops, plan your conference schedule, meet the presenters and browse work

🌊 Don’t Miss Out—Book Your Sea Crest Resort Room Today!

Ready to learn and grow at the 2024 Fall Conference in a stunning seaside setting? Take advantage of discounted resort rooms at Sea Crest Beach Hotel!

Be sure to book before September 20th to lock in your savings and enjoy a rejuvenating stay right by the ocean. This is the perfect chance to mix professional development with relaxation—so don’t wait!

Click here to reserve your room now, and we’ll see you at the beach! 🌞

DFM Survey

Whether your community is designated as dementia-friendly or you are curious about the process and want to learn more, we'd love to hear from you! This is a great opportunity to share insights about the successes and challenges you are experiencing in providing support and programs to people living with dementia and their caregivers.

The survey is available through September 30.

If you are interested in becoming a designated Dementia Friendly Massachusetts community or have any questions on the process, please reach out to Maddie Noonan at madeline@mcoaonline.org/413-326-6479 or Hayley Wood hayley@mcoaonline.org/413-923-1939.

Thank you! MCOA

Dementia Friendly MA Quarterly Meeting

Join others in the Dementia Friendly Massachusetts network to learn about new resources that MCOA has to offer in service of greater connectivity, peer-to-peer learning, and idea-sharing!

At this meeting, MCOA staff members will introduce a new DFM website, blog, and opportunities to highlight work being done in Massachusetts communities.

Wednesday, October 9, 1:00

Register here

A Word From Our Sponsor:

Medicare Education Presentations – Schedule Now!

We are offering Medicare education presentations to help your community prepare for the Medicare Annual Election Period (Oct 15–Dec 7). Each COA has a dedicated outreach representative to assist with Medicare-related questions and support. If you don’t know your rep or haven’t scheduled yet, email Susan Flanagan at susan.flanagan@bcbsma.comfor assistance.

We’ve already scheduled 75 COAs but still have a few slots left. Below are the available presentations:

• Medicare Health Plan Options (45 minutes)

This presentation covers key Medicare options, the differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage, and when enrollees can switch plans. All are welcome, regardless of insurance coverage. (No product information included.)

• Medicare Supplement or Advantage Plans? (45 minutes)

Ideal for those new to Medicare or reevaluating their plan. It explains the differences between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans and the importance of prescription drug coverage.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Plans (60-90 minutes)

For Blue Cross members or those exploring options, this session covers 2025 plan changes and benefit.

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting the MCOA Fall Conference and contributing to professional development throughout the year. Your dedication empowers us to grow, learn, and better serve our communities. We truly appreciate your ongoing partnership!

EDUCATION & TRAINING | Behavioral Health

Lunch & Learn Connecting Generations: Effective Communication for your Community 

Discover the secrets to bridging the communication gap with older adults. Whether they're tech enthusiasts or pen-and-paper purists, we've got you covered! Grab a sandwich and a bag of chips and meet Paula Hersey for this Lunch & Learn.

WHEN: September, 24 | 11:30am -12:30pm and take your marketing and communications strategy to the next level!

In-Person Behavioral Health Training

**Updated with all dates/locations**

The Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) and McLean Hospital, a leader in mental health, are proud to offer an in-person behavioral health training program designed for professionals working with older adults.

This in-person training is being offered in response to the overwhelming demand for behavioral health resources, as identified as the #1 topic of interest in MCOA's Training and Education survey.

This will be the first of three trainings. Learn more about it by attending the September Membership Meeting!

Don't miss this valuable in-person opportunity to enhance your knowledge and better serve your clients.

Topsfield - Monday, 10/28, 1p - 4p

Barnstable - Wednesday, 11/6, 1p - 4p

Braintree - Wednesday, 11/13, 1p - 4p

Easthampton - Monday, 11/18, 1p - 4p

Space is limited. Secure your spot now!

MyMCOA Infohub account required for registration. Contact Kelly Burke, Member Services Kelly@Mcoaonline.org or Paula Hersey paula@mcoaonline.org for a COA Director account or how to add staff to your organization account.

MCOA Member Services

Important Announcement: We're Moving to New Forums!

We’re excited to transition to a brand-new platform: the MyMCOA InfoHub! 🎉 This current forum space and Daily Digest will be retired, and COA Directors and Staff Members will need to create new accounts on the new Infohub. It’s as easy as 1-2-3, and we’ve attached a Quickstart Guide to help you get started!

A huge thank you to the COA Directors and staff who have already joined us—you’re helping build a stronger, more connected community!

Reminder for COA Directors: COA Directors, contact kelly@mcoaonline.org for your Login Link if you currently don't have an Account on the NEW Infohub. Remember to add your staff to the InfoHub and keep their profiles updated to ensure everyone is fully engaged and able to access the amazing resources!

Why Transition to the New MyMCOA InfoHub?

• Peer-to-Peer Networking & Discussion with fellow members.
• Easy Event Registration and payment options.
• Post Jobs or browse for a new opportunity.
• Access Vital Resources to support your organization.

Transition Deadline: October 9th

Make the switch today and keep the conversation going! Don’t miss out on these amazing features.

PS Training is available on Zoom as well!

COA Directors & Staff

Join us for a brief tour & training of the NEW MyMCOA Communication Hub.

Don't Miss the Boat to a new port for a centralized MyMCOA experience!

Learn how to add staff, register for events, engage on the new discussion boards, create a Public Directory listing and submit a open position to the Job Board and more!

MCOA Members can register through MyMCOA Infohub or at the direct link above.

NOTE: Access to the current Discussion Boards (Daily Digest) will be removed on October 9th and permanently closed. Get your NEW Account today!

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

MCOA and Dementia Friendly Massachusetts are co-sponsoring “Let’s Talk about Dementia and Culture 2024.”

This virtual symposium is brought to you by Dementia Friends Massachusetts, and will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Zoom.

This year’s theme is: Brain Health for All Communities.

Join researchers, advocates living with dementia, public health leaders, and community-based dementia educators as we explore current evidence-based tips for brain health, how these link to the structural and social determinants of health, and what research and life experience tell us about continuing to live well with a dementia diagnosis.

Register in advance on Zoom here. Attendance is free. CEUs will be available for a fee – check here for updates. Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, and captions in English and most other languages available.

Contact Beth at bsoltzberg@jfcsboston.orgwith questions.

In collaboration with community partners, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs is in the process of collecting community feedback. We want to capture your ideas on how to strengthen Massachusetts’ age- and dementia-friendly actions and uncover new opportunities to meet the challenges of the future. 

Your feedback will be used to update and refresh the Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan. The Plan will serve as the state’s strategy and commitment to make the Commonwealth more age- and dementia-friendly over the next 5-10 years (explore the previous plan here).

Feedback will be collected through the September 30, 2024. Please share this with your networks. Click the button below to share your feedback today!

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood; a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine; could you be mine? “ -Fred Rogers

We are thrilled to announce that the office of Governor Maura Healey has officially proclaimed September 28, 2024, “Good Neighbor Day” across the Commonwealth. As the proclamation notes, “all residents are encouraged to join in this celebration by reaching out to their neighbors, extending acts of kindness and goodwill, and fostering strong bonds within our communities.” Please see the attached news release for more information. 

In honor of this important day, the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness has launched a movement to encourage communities to connect, and build a culture of kindness, caring, and respect. For a Good Neighbor Day of Action Toolkit, along with a reporting form to share community plans with the Coalition, visit our website here.

If you have any questions, please contact Innessa Manning at manninin@bc.edu

Economic Security & Outreach

NEXT WEEK is National Employ Older Adults Week!

The number of workers aged 55 and up is on the rise in Massachusetts.

Senior Centers can support older workers and job seekers with information about age-friendly employers in the state. AARP runs the Employer Pledge Program; employers that sign it commit to promoting equal opportunity for all workers regardless of age. There are currently 125 AARP Employer Pledge signers in MA. 

Search for them by company, location, or industry!

Healthy Aging

The Healthy Aging blog update reminds you to submit your ActiveAgers data, learn recent food insecurity data and access important tools for upcoming awareness weeks. 

A Collective Approach to Wellness

ActiveAgers is more than just a fitness program; it is a collective movement that recognizes and rewards participation, welcomes individuals of all abilities, and celebrates the efforts of COAs and their participants. 

The initiative is built on the existing work of COAs, enhancing and expanding their physical activity offerings.

The Aging Services Network DEI Steering Committee is seeking to establish what the path forward might look like as a group in terms of scope, focus, and structure and would very much like interested COAs to be engaged.

If you are interested in joining the next discussion about this topic, please provide your information via this link, https://forms.office.com/r/j5JHivntSM, to be added to their email distribution list, and note that the next DEI meeting will be 9/20 at 1PM.

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