Feb. Advances: Researchers assist with Boston mini-grants to build social connection

GERONTOLOGY NEWS FROM UMASS BOSTON

February 2023

Razak Alamuto, president of the Nigerian Islamic Society of Massachusetts, shares a meal with other participants at an Africa Chop & Connect event organized by the Nigerian-American Multi-Service Association at the Masjid Ar-Rahman mosque in Dorchester. The program is one of 16 funded by grants from Boston's Age Strong Commission.

Researchers measure impact of grassroots work in Boston to build social connections

Boston's Age Strong Commission decided to award grants to grassroots organizations working to build social connections, so they turned to Caitlin Coyle, PhD, director of the Gerontology Institute's Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging, for guidance in shaping the grants and evaluating the programs. But determining the best way to measure progress on concepts such as loneliness and isolation is complicated, Coyle says.

Sample screenshots from the Generation Connect app, which encourages extended family to interact

with loved ones with dementia.

Debby Dodds, MAS ’14, pioneers use of technology to improve dementia care

Debby Dodds turned her capstone project in the Management of Aging Services master's program at UMass Boston into a thriving enterprise, Generation Connect. The company developed and continues to refine a mobile application that prompts family and paid caregivers to explore behavioral interventions for dementia clients, from reminiscing with personalized music, family photos, and videos to providing cognitive stimulation and physical activities. Dodds is teaching the Technology & Aging class for the MAS program this semester.

BEACON DISCUSSION SERIES

Engaged Aging

Join UMass Boston gerontology faculty and

an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute board member

for a panel discussion on the benefits of staying socially connected

and engaged as we age, and tips on how to do so.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

4–5 p.m. | via Zoom

Sponsored by the UMass Boston Office of Alumni Engagement

A portion of registration fees will support OLLI programs at UMass Boston

Text Link

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

CSDRA Director Caitlin Coyle (left) and Sandra Harris (right), president of AARP Massachusetts, in the WBUR studio to talk about their work on loneliness and community

with reporter Yasmin Amer.

UMASS BOSTON GERONTOLOGY IN THE NEWS

"Local task force is studying why people are lonely and how to help them feel less isolated," WBUR radio talks with Caitlin Coyle on her work as co-chair of Massachusetts Task Force to End Loneliness & Build Community, February 7, 2023

"Viewpoint: How can we better harness the energy and talents of older people in our communities?," Caitlin Coyle writes opinion piece for the Boston Globe, February 3, 2023

"For older Boston adults, OLLI courses at UMass Boston are free and on Zoom," Jim Hermelbracht and Jeff Burr talk with the Dorchester Reporter about OLLI winter programs, January 26, 2023

"Healthcare and housing sites partner to benefit elderly adults," Marc Cohen talks with Mirage News about the evaluation he conducted with UMass Boston colleagues on Hebrew SeniorLife's Right Care, Right Place, Right Time initiative, January 20, 2023

"Rebooting retirement," author and retirement expert Mark Miller mentions the Institute's Elder Index in "The Long View" podcast episode, January 18, 2023.

"Nursing homes plead for financial help as closures, staffing shortages endanger care," Marc Cohen talks about the state of the nursing home sector with reporter Corey Jones of Lee Enterprises, January 17, 2023