UMASS BOSTON GERONTOLOGY NEWS

MARCH 2026

Just How Engaged Is Engaged Research? A New Tool Allows Researchers to Assess Engagement Quality

Engaged research is a collaborative approach where researchers and community partners work together throughout the entire research process. Until recently, however, there hasn’t been a validated way to assess the strength of engagement methods. Researchers from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, Collective Insight, and Boston College developed a tool to do just that: the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Engagement Measure (PCOR-EM).

“Communities bring expertise that researchers don’t always have: lived experience, cultural knowledge, and practical insight into how systems actually work. The PCOR-EM tool helps move engagement from something aspirational to something we can systematically study and improve,” says Alexa Fleet, a researcher on the PCOR-EM project and a PhD student in the UMass Boston Gerontology program.

New Research Reveals the Devastating Effects of Hitting the Medicare Cliff

Each year, 280,000 older adults hit the Medicare cliff – in other words, they lose their Medicaid coverage and must rely on Medicare alone. What does this mean for their physical and financial health? Is Medicare enough?

A new study in the Milbank Quarterly shows that often, Medicare isn’t enough. When people permanently lose their Medicaid coverage, they experience poorer health outcomes, higher mortality, and greater out-of-pocket costs. The study was a collaboration between researchers at UMass Boston Gerontology and the National Council on Aging. Maryssa Pallis, the lead author of the paper, is a PhD student in gerontology at UMass Boston.

Registration is Open: Summer MAS Courses

Summer is closer than you think, and it’s the perfect time to consider registering for Management of Aging Services (MAS) programs at UMass Boston. The short summer term is ideal for:

• Professionals working in aging services, LTSS, health care, housing, or human services
• Those considering the MAS Certificate or MS and who want to try a course first
• Students already enrolled who want to lighten their fall course load
• Professionals in related fields looking to add aging expertise to their toolkit

Want to learn more? Contact Rebecca Tolman, Graduate Program Director, at rebecca.tolman@umb.edu or 603-581-8038.

UMass Boston Gerontology in the News

It's Time to Rethink What Aging Well Means
Kiplinger
Are the prevailing ideas of "aging well" too exclusionary? Do they focus mainly on people who are in good physical and financial health? This story, which cites Michelle Putnam, explores what (and who) gets left out when ageist ideas infuse popular opinions.

A ‘Zoomer-to-Boomer’ Pay Phone Hotline Gets Two Generations Chatting

New York Times

Can a special payphone create connections between the two most lonely demographics? Caitlin Coyle discusses the importance of this experiment: “This pay phone is creating the space for this kind of connection to be established and can serve as a good reminder to all of us how important these kind of shared, visible and low-barrier opportunities for interaction are to maintaining a sense of belonging.”

New Medicaid Work Rules Likely to Hit Middle-Aged Adults Hard
KFF News
Women aged 50 to 64 are likely to face disproportionate impact by the new work requirement for Medicaid coverage. “We’re talking about saving money at the expense of people’s lives. The work requirement is just a tool to do that,” said Jane Tavares.

Robyn Stone Retires after 50-Year Career in Aging
LTSS Center @UMass Boston

The LTSS Center @UMass Boston pens a tribute to Robyn Stone, its co-director, for her distinguished career in aging. Stone has spent decades helping providers strengthen the workforce, support family caregivers, and enhance service-enriched housing.

Unfounded Fraud Allegations Threaten Vital Medicaid Home And Community-Based Services

Health Affairs Forefront

In this piece—authors include Jane Tavares and Marc Cohen of LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston—explores how older adults and people with disabilities face risks to their care due to a recent CMS fraud crackdown.

Higher Medicaid Rates Boost Chances of 4- and 5-Star Ratings for Nursing Homes, JAMDA Study Finds
Skilled Nursing News
Higher payment rates have a connection to higher Care Compare ratings, according to recent research from Edward Alan Miller, Elizabeth Simpson, and Marc Cohen. “Collectively, these additional investments – in more qualified staff, enhanced training, and quality improvement initiatives – translate to higher overall star ratings,” the study stated.

Retirement Savings 'Lost and Found' Helps Retirees Track Down Old 401(k)s, Pensions
CNBC
A federal database helps people track down old 401(k)s, and the Pension Action Center helps many people recover them. But currently, that database is only available for people 65 or older. Tyler Compton talks about the benefits of expanded access.

Brookline’s ‘Age-Friendly Businesses’ Campaign Makes Older Residents’ Needs a Priority

Brookline News
Brookline's Age-Friendly Business designation helps older adults find local companies that use age-friendly practices like wheelchair accessibility, seating, and willingness of staff to accommodate older adults' needs. This program was founded by Frank Caro, a former director of the UMass Boston Gerontology Institute, and it continues to be run by his wife, Carol Caro, who's expanded the program to 200 more businesses.

Medway, Millis Learn Results of UMass Elder Study
Franklin Observer
Two towns in Massachusetts are studying the results of a community, age-friendly assessment, led by the Center for Social and Demographic Research in Aging.

With New Survey, Town Seeks to Find Out What Seniors Need
Brookline News

Brookline released a townwide survey to assess the needs of seniors to improve town resources and programs for its older population. The survey was made possible through a collaboration with the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston.

You're Invited: Food Safety for Seniors Webinar


A Public Health Week Event Sponsored by UMass Boston Urban Health and Gerontology

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - 6:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public

Register to attend via Zoom

Older adults are at higher risk for food-borne illness due to changes in immune function, chronic conditions, and medication interactions. This session explores strategies to protect older adults at home or in community settings. Learn more event details.

Congratulations, Michelle Putnam!

Congratulations to Michelle Putnam, director of the Gerontology Institute, for receiving the 2026 Cottrell Distinguished Alumni Award from Miami University! The Scripps Gerontology Center awarded Putnam the award for her demonstration of outstanding scholarship, leadership, and mentorship in the field of aging.

"Throughout her academic career, Putnam has balanced research, teaching, editorial leadership, and administrative responsibilities. Grounded in applied scholarship, she emphasizes ensuring that research informs real-world policy and practice. 'There’s always been an anchor to what’s happening in the real world,' she said. 'Research should feed into teaching and policy, and that loop should keep moving.'"