MCOA Aging Matters News
(formerly The Brief)
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"The care of human life and happiness,
and not their destruction,
is the first and only object of good government.”
Thomas Jefferson | |
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Calling all MCOA members!
Join us for our Quarterly Membership Meeting, packed with informative sessions and important discussions. {AGENDA & BYLAW CHANGE}
Learn about:
- Engaging opportunities with Blue Cross Blue Shield
- MCOA's latest training and education initiatives
- Strategies for combating cybercrime and scams
- Voting rights and how to empower your community
- MCOA's new series tackling hoarding challenges
- MCOA's business meeting, including legislative updates, board nominations, and a crucial bylaw amendment vote
Your participation is important and a quorum is required to conduct business and ensure our organization continues to thrive.
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Pension Action Center Summit to Fight Fraud
Join us for an important and timely program addressing all aspects of fraud and scams prevention for older people, including best practices to keep your assets safe.
This program is targeted for seniors, people serving the aging community, and the general public – anyone with an interest in fraud prevention is welcome to attend!
- Topics:Trends in Scams
- Recognizing Scams
- Safeguarding Assets
- Reporting Fraud
Expert speakers and panelists
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Don't miss the Transportation and Mobility Coordinators Meeting on March 15 at 10:00 AM!
Following our January discussion on Transportation Options, Maria Foster from Brookline COA and Jane Gould, PhD, author of "Aging in Suburbia,” will showcase their videos and training for older adults.
These experts are actively training Massachusetts communities' older adults.
Join us to provide feedback and insights.
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Workshops & Programs
MCOA is excited to kick off its strategic initiative to Strengthen End-of-Life Conversations with a series of programming and training sessions led by end-of-life educator and family support specialist Cheryl Botieri, MS.
The first IN PERSON training session will be: Wednesday, March 20th
This training session will teach you how to:
- Facilitate Let's Talk About It! workshops and programs
- Start conversations about end-of-life care
- Help people make informed decisions about their care
SESSION INFORMATION & REGISTER
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As we celebrate National Social Work Month, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to all the dedicated social workers in our aging network.
Your unwavering commitment, compassion, and tireless efforts make an immeasurable difference in the lives of seniors and their families every single day.
You are the backbone of our community, providing vital support, advocacy, and guidance to those navigating the complexities of aging. Your empathy, expertise, and unwavering dedication shine brightly, bringing comfort and hope to those in need.
On behalf of MCOA, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you.
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Advancing Behavioral Health Programs for Older Adults
- Learn more about evidence-based programs focused on addressing behavioral health as we age.
- Find examples of community-based organizations using evidence-based health promotion programs through Administration for Community Living grants.
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You asked for it….
We’ve got it!
Grant Writing Training
- Virtual Grant Writing Training: Delve into the art of grant writing with Becky Scheuller in an immersive virtual session.
Registration Details: Secure your spot by registering on MyMCOA.
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Do you know someone...
- retired, but unfulfilled in the retired lifestyle
- retired, but not able to afford to be fully retired and need to work
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Are you a MCOA member and need access to MyMCOA?
Email [email protected] and include your Full Name, Town and your COA position.
Don't miss the networking & conversation, events, announcements and resources!
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| Economic Security & Outreach | | |
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Active March 1: No Asset Limit for Medicare Savings Plan Eligibility
The Medicare Savings Plan, also known as MassHealth Buy-In, is a cost-savings program for Medicare enrollees that eliminates the need to pay the monthly Medicare Part B premium ($174.70 per month) and provides premium-free access to prescription drug plans as well as other benefits.
Thanks in part to the energetic advocacy of the MA Senior Action Council, applicants face no asset limit for eligibility!
Newly published gross monthly income limits are:
Individual
$2,824 per month
Married Couple
$3,833 per month
Application (available in multiple languages and large print)
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Train to become a SHINE Counselor!
MA regional SHINE programs are recruiting for spring counselor training, an opportunity that will expand any Outreach Coordinator’s knowledge of health insurance options for clients on Medicare. SHINE training, while focused on the nuances of Medicare, also covers MassHealth programs. The training offers 40 Continuing Education Units to Social Workers.
Interested?
Waste no time and call your regional SHINE program director to learn when their next training is scheduled! If you don’t know where your closest SHINE director is located, call the MassOptions program at 800-243-4646 to find out!
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| Healthy Aging & Nutrition | | |
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Celebrate
March is National Nutrition Month® and this year's theme is 'Beyond the Table'. You can find NNM® resources in seven languages including Eating Right Tips for Older Adults. Since malnutrition prevention (and nutrition education) occurs year-round, we created a library of nutrition information you can use in newsletters, on social media, and to generate programming. The text, recipes and photos are for you to use as you like.
Educate
Advocate
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)'s hearing for Thursday, March 7, at 11am: The Older Americans Act: Supporting Efforts to Meet the Needs of Seniors. This committee is overseeing the 2024 reauthorization of The Older Americans Act, which affects the Nutrition Program, such as home delivered and congregate meals, meal program sites, senior centers and other related services for the next five years.
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Sharpen Your Mind & Engage Your Community: UCLA Master Memory Training Certification
Get certified to deliver the in-demand evidence-based UCLA Memory Training class at your COA! This program covers memory basics & brain-boosting exercises, attracting “younger” older adults. Following the 3-hour training, participants should be prepared to offer the course in a COA – (four, 2 hr. sessions.)
Refresh or get started – March 12th | 9:00 am
Space is limited - Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Materials will be mailed to you in advance of the course. Questions? Contact [email protected].
News from the MGA Board of Directors
2024 will be a banner year for the MA Gerontological Association offering at least one event each month! Many will be lunchtime Zooms on different topics and some will be centered around networking. We are also hosting an in-person 50th Anniversary Celebration in the Fall!
This e-notice will outline what we have planned for February and March. We expect April and May to feature educational lunchtime Zooms, followed by a statewide virtual networking event in June, before taking a break for July and August. More notices will follow with additional dates and topics. Please click the link below for details.
March 28th Thurs 12:30p - 1:30p Zoom
Dynamic Careers in Aging Virtual Panelist Event - Event Registration Link
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GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES | |
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T-Mobile Hometown Grants
Get up to $50,000 to bring your community project idea to life.
The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program funds projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town. Projects should be shovel-ready, physical builds or improvements that can be completed within 12 months of receiving Hometown Grants funding.
Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to: adaptive uses of older and historic buildings into community gathering spaces, improvements to outdoor parks or trails, and technology projects for the public library.
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Massachusetts Community Health & Healthy Aging Funds
Request for Proposal (RFP) January 2024
2024 Funding Cycle is opening for applications!
Request for Proposal (RFP) | Please review the RFP for eligibility, funding priorities, and more.
Application Due Date: March 29, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST
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Looking for a new career opportunity? | |
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