MCOA Fall Conference 2025: Call for Presentations
Share Your Expertise!
The Massachusetts Councils on Aging is seeking passionate and knowledgeable professionals to present at our 2025 Fall Conference. This year’s conference promises to be a dynamic exchange of ideas and best practices, attracting hundreds of attendees from across the state.
The theme for the 2025 conference is Facing the Future Together: Collaborating Toward Opportunities and Success!
Submit your proposal by May 19th!
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Aging Matters Newsletter & Blog
The Importance of Community Connection
On a showery and windswept day last fall, while on vacation in Ireland, I had the privilege to meet Paddy, Sean and Seamus and was invited into their Men’s Shed on Achill Island in County Mayo. This was on my “Bucket List”, and you may...
Hayley Wood: Championing the Well-being of Older Adults
In a world often focused on challenges, it's refreshing to hear stories of dedication, compassion, and the profound rewards of serving others. Hayley Wood, MCOA's Economic Security and Outreach Manager, offers a unique perspective, shaped...
The Heartbeat of Community: Uplifting Lives Through Council on Aging Social Services
In the bustling heart of any community, there lies a network of support, a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of aging and life's challenges. At the Council on Aging (COA), social services play a pivotal role, weaving together...
From Corporate Calls to Community Champion: Randy’s Second Act
In the heart of Framingham, Massachusetts, amidst the bustling activity of the Callahan Center, a story of transformation unfolded. Randy Aylsworth, a seasoned professional with a background in the corporate world, found himself drawn to...
Bridging Theory and Practice: How Social Work Interns Make a Difference at the COA
For Andrew Sylvia, an advanced standing Master of Social Work Student at Bridgewater State, the path to social work felt like a "calling." His experiences working with children with behavioral disorders and his close relationship with his...
From Garden to Table: Cultivating Community and Healthy Aging at the Chicopee River Mills Senior Center
At the Chicopee River Mills Senior Center, food is more than just sustenance; it's a catalyst for connection, a tool for empowerment, and a cornerstone of healthy aging. Sherry Manyak, the center's director, and her staff have cultivated...
Discovering Healthy Aging at MCOA: Empowering Older Adults in Massachusetts
Want to know the secret to a thriving community of older adults? In Massachusetts, the answer lies in empowerment. The Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) is dedicated to equipping local Councils on Aging (COAs) with everything they...
Building an Age and Dementia Friendly Community: It Takes a Village (and a Region!)
A Conversation with James Fuccione of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative When it comes to creating communities where older adults can thrive, James Fuccione, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative,...
Finding Calm in Chaos: How Mindfulness is Helping Older Adults in Boston
In the heart of bustling Boston, amidst the challenges of aging in a fast-paced world, a quiet revolution is taking place. Bob Linscott, the Wellness Manager for the Age Strong Commission, is on a mission to bring mindfulness and...
Finding Balance: How Bellingham COA Expanded Yoga Offerings to Embrace All Abilities
At the Bellingham Council on Aging (COA), warmth and laughter are as much a part of the atmosphere as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Josie Dutil, the COA's energetic director, is passionate about healthy aging and has fostered a...
MCOA Leads Dementia Friendly MA, Offering Resources and Grants
MCOA is the state lead for the Dementia Friendly Massachusetts (DFM) initiative, a community-based, grassroots movement to grow awareness, services, and infrastructure to support the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers. Communities often choose to merge DFM goals with corresponding and overlapping goals for network membership in the Age-Friendly Massachusetts movement, which is steered by AARP-MA.
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Building an Age and Dementia Friendly Community: It Takes a Village (and a Region!)
A Conversation with James Fuccione of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative When it comes to creating communities where older adults can thrive, James Fuccione, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, emphasizes one key ingredient:...