Dear Healthy Aging Readers,
Spring is here, our days are growing longer, and optimism is in the air. It is an exciting time as COVID vaccines are becoming available, and we are able to dream about connecting in-person with loved ones and getting “out-and-about” in ways we haven’t been able to do so for the past year.
Since the beginning of 2021, throughout the long winter days, Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard (HAMV) has been hard at work. We started the year with a zoom retreat with our Executive Board, elected a new Board chair, and worked together to define our priorities and focus areas for 2021 and beyond. Paddy Moore, our founder, has stepped down as Chair and will continue to be on the board. We are deeply thankful for her leadership and vision over the past ten years.
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"Collaboration and consensus-building to serve island elders and their families is the bedrock principle of Healthy Aging. Come join us in this work!" - Paddy Moore (left)
Cindy Doyle, a well-known consumer activist here on Martha’s Vineyard, has moved into the Chair role as of February, 2021. We look forward to working with her to continue the mission of “making Martha’s Vineyard an Aging-Friendly Island”.
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"My gray hair is my ticket to ride! The senior bus has left the garage and is on it’s way . I invite others to jump on board as we make our way to creating an age friendly Island." - Cindy Doyle (right)
You can learn more about our board members on our website https://www.hamv.org/board-members.
Read on to hear more about what HAMV is doing and other notable activities on the island. Please share your thoughts and opinions with us - we are ready to listen!
Best,
Cindy
Executive Director
Healthy Aging Martha's Vineyard
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HAMV's Call-to-Action 2021
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Who we are and what we do
HAMV will continue to plan, advocate, and build momentum in our community to ensure that the infrastructure and services necessary for an aging-friendly island are here as we need them, and as importantly, to celebrate the contribution that our Older Adults make every day to our island.
We will maximize our effectiveness by “building bridges” with a broad and diverse array of island stakeholders and seek, whenever possible, to support the development of an integrated, island-wide perspective to optimize our collective energy and financial investment.
In order to educate, build awareness, and activate we will:
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1. Convene coalitions of island organizations/consumer activists to focus on key priority areas
2. Identify evidence-based programs/services to address service gaps, secure seed funding, and create pilot programs
3. Disseminate 2020 survey data to stimulate conversation, support decision making and create a long term, shared vision on priorities
4. Sponsor educational/awareness seminars/communications campaigns
5. Address ad-hoc needs of our older adults and the agencies that serve them
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Coalitions - Working Together to Make Change
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Creating an island-wide integrated vision to address Older Adult Transportation needs was the motivation to begin this coalition, which is co-sponsored by HAMV, Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC), and the Marth’s Vineyard Community Foundation (MVCF).
The 2020 Older Adult HAMV survey results reveal that “Our Cars are our lifelines”, not atypical to the habits of typical Americans of all ages.
- 9 in 10 island Older Adults report that they “often” drive themselves and continue to do so as they age.
- It isn’t until 85+ that the percentage of Older Adults who “never drive myself” begins to increase (and rely on others to drive them).
- By 95+, a minority are still driving themselves “often”.
We are fortunate on our island to have alternative modes of transportation including the VTA, taxi and car services as well as walking (1 in 2 older adults report that they “often” walk, and when those who walk “some of the time” it increases to 8 out of 10) and for some, bicycling. However, we recognize that, as our Older Adult population increases and ages, the need for additional on- and off-island transportation options which are accessible and affordable will increase.
Members of the coalition include Center4Living, Edgartown Council on Aging, Island Elderly Housing, Island Grown Initiative (IGI), Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS), Martha's Vineyard Hospital, Oak Bluffs Council on Aging, Tisbury Council on Aging, Up-Island Council on Aging, Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA), Vineyard Village at Home, and the YMCA .
Our Coalition members will work together to identify priorities and island-wide on-demand solutions, learning from what other rural communities have done. Our goal is to identify initial funding sources for new solutions during this year and move forward with a pilot program.
Stay tuned for more information!
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Program Identification, Seed Funding,
and Getting Pilot Programs off the Ground!
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Home Safety Modification Program Update
The Home Safety Modification Program was created as a pilot in 2020 (as an outcome of the Falls Prevention Coalition) to provide high-impact, low-cost modifications (such as installing grab bars, traction strips, easy-use fixtures, and stairwell handrails) to allow Older Adults to live more safely in their homes. The program has been designed so that it is easy for our Older Adults to participate and fills a gap in our current service offerings as there was no “one-stop-shop model” for these minor modifications. The program got off the ground in 2020 and there are now 15+ participants who live across the Island. These Older Adults range in age from 65 – 93 and their homes, 23 -154 years old. This pilot program will continue through 2021 and we anticipate a significant increase in participants.
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2020 HAMV Island-Wide
OlderAdult Survey
We are delighted to share with you that our 2020 survey was completed by almost 2,500 islanders. Thank you to all of you who participated and those “ambassadors” who helped to get the word out! Over the next several months, we will be sharing the survey results in work sessions with all who are interested.
Stay tuned for a calendar of sessions and a link to survey findings.
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Upcoming "State-of-the-Island" Older Adult Employment educational seminars - Don't miss it!
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As part of HAMV’s 2021 call-to-action, we will be co-hosting two zoom sessions on State-of-the-Island Older Adult Employment opportunities. Read on to learn more and join us for a productive discussion.
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Mark your Calendar - Happenings of Interest!
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Dental Cleaning for Adults thanks to Vineyard Smiles, A program of the Vineyard Health Care Access Program/Dukes County
The clinic will be held on Monday – Friday, April 19 – 23, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Anchors/Edgartown Council on Aging, 10 Daggett Street, Edgartown.
Vineyard Smiles is offering free dental care to adults (20 years and older) who lack regular access to dental care and who qualify based on income.
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The income limit is $28,700 for 1 person or $38,700 for 2. Vineyard Smiles is a mobile dental program of the Vineyard Health Care Access Program, a program of Dukes County and the Towns of Martha’s Vineyard. This service is sponsored by the Island Boards of Health of all 6 Island Towns.
If you qualify based on your income, you must fill out the CDC COVID screening form and the Polished registration form by Monday, April 12. Forms available by calling (508) 696-0020 x101 or by emailing info@mvhealthcareaccess.org You will get a phone call to schedule your appointment and review the appointment instructions for COVID safety.
Services are provided by licensed professional dental hygienists from Polished LLC, a Cape Cod based group that offers services to Island seniors and children. Whether you have some or all of your teeth, you will receive an oral exam, cleaning and fluoride treatment. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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