Boston Seniority CELEBRATING OLDER AMERICANS - MONTH p. 14-21 - Boston.gov
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Boston Seniority City of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh
CELEBRATING
OLDER AMERICANS
MONTH p. 14-21
May 2019
Issue 5
Vol. 43
Free Publication Mayor's Letter Mental Health Upcoming Events
p. 4 p. 6 p. 12
SENIORITY | May 2019 1
On the Cover: Boston
CONTENTS Our cover stars Irene, 103, and Kay, 100, became
fast friends at our colorful photoshoot for Older
Seniority
Americans Month at Happy Place in Boston. Happy Published by the City of
4 14-21 Place is a temporary Boston's Age Strong
MAYOR'S LETTER BETTER WITH AGE! pop-up experience Commission
Age Strong at every decade. running until June
5 Martin J. Walsh
READER 2nd, filled with larger
than life installations Mayor
SUBMISSION 22
COMMISSION INFO and multi-sensory, Emily K. Shea
Poetry about the Boston Common
immersive rooms in Commissioner
How the City can help you. the Back Bay. For
6 more information, Cassandra Baptista
MENTAL HEALTH 24 visit www. Director of Communications
INFOGRAPHIC THE BUZZ happyplace.me or Editor and Photographer
Tips to maintain positive Find out what this month's buzz call 1-888-718-4253
mental health. is all about. opt. 1. Martha Rios
Editor and Photographer
8 26 Andrew Higginbottom
LANGUAGE ACCESS SEEN AROUND Staff Assistant
How it strengthens our city. TOWN Writer and Photographer
See if we saw you! A photo
series from social outings around City Hall Plaza-Room 271
10 the city. Boston, MA 02201
CITY NEWS
Printed by Flagship Press, Inc.
New funding for affordable
housing. Boston Seniority is supported in
part by The Executive Office
12 of Elder Affairs.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Although all material accepted is
Here are some ways to fill your expected to conform to professional
calendar this month. standards, acceptance does not imply
endorsement by the City of Boston.
Stay Connected Facebook: @AgeStrongBos Do you have a story to share?
Main number: (617) 635-4366
We want to hear from you!
with the Age Strong
Email us at
Commission: Website: www.boston.gov/age-strong Twitter: @AgeStrongBos Bostonseniority@boston.gov
2 SENIORITY | May 2019 S E N I O R I T Y | M a y 2 30 1Seniority
9 3
Reader Poetry Submission
From the Mayor's Desk
Celebrating Older Bostonians
Every Day
May is National Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, “Connect,
Create, Contribute,” emphasizes the importance of connection, Boston's
creativity and contribution in the daily lives of older Americans. (See
pages 14-21 for ways you can connect, create, and contribute in the
City of Boston).
Common
Submitted by: Mike A. Coppola, 83, Roslindale
In Boston, older adults are one of our fastest growing populations.
The American Community Survey estimates that in 2017, there In the spring the Common's green,
were 105,000 people over the age of 60 living in the City of Boston, People come to view the scene.
compared to 88,000 in 2010. While much of the growth is aging baby They also come to have some fun,
boomers, more than 10,000 of our residents are over the age of 85. Play baseball, tennis or just run.
They come to watch a fountain shower,
This is a very exciting time for the City of Boston. We are growing
To lie in the sun for just an hour.
and expanding in many ways. Our economy is thriving and technology
is advancing. These factors present us with limitless opportunities There are those that come to articulate,
for our future. Above all, we share a responsibility to ensure these At every bench there's a great debate.
opportunities reach everyone in our city, across all ages and abilities. It's the city's orators rallying spot,
To argue their arguments or share a thought.
You’ve heard me say it before: Older Bostonians built our city. We The Common's a place that's here for all,
want you, our older residents, to continue to live and thrive here
To think deep thoughts or have a ball.
because you make our communities stronger. That’s why we celebrate
you, not just in May, but every day. It's Boston's hub 'round which she turns,
Where Liberty's torch was lit and still burns.
Sincerely,
-Mayor Martin J. Walsh
4 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 5
Infographic
Did you know?
Maintaining Positive Mental Health May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / Boston Public Health Commission
It is estimated that one in five people Tips to Maintain Positive Mental Health
age 55 years or older experience some
type of mental health condition, the most How do you
common being anxiety, severe cognitive
impairment, and mood disorders,
Tip 1 Tip 4 get help?
according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Connect Help others
with others Many people with
Many factors can contribute to mental mental health problems
health problems, including genes, brain can get better. There
chemistry, family history, personal is help available. The
relationships, violence, abuse, substance Boston Public Health
use, finances, living situations and Commission is involved
overall health. If you or someone you in a variety of efforts
know is living with mental health Tip 2 Tip 5 to remove the stigma
problems, you may notice some changes. associated with mental
health and to provide
Here are some warning signs Be physically Get enough
services and resources to
when mental health is affecting active sleep improve the social and
someone’s life: emotional wellness of
● Pulling away from people everyone in Boston.
● Stopping usual activities
● Diet or sleeping changes To read more about the
services available to
● Severe mood swings
● The inability to perform daily tasks Tip 3 Tip 6 individuals and families
in Boston, contact:
Mental health includes our emotional, Get professional Develop
psychological and social well-being. It Boston Public Health
help if needed coping skills Commission
affects how we think, feel and act and
can determine how we make choices, 617-534-5395
relate to others and even how we handle Bphc.org
stress. See our infographic for tips.
6 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 7
City Initiatives
How can the Office of Language and
Communications Access help you?
Provided by the City's Language and Communications Access Program
In 2016, Mayor Martin J. Walsh signed to provide interpretation and translation
a city ordinance called “Establishing requests in any language. These
Language and Communications Access services are provided at no charge to the
for City Services.” We are excited to share constituent.
with you the progress that has been made
in this monthly blog series. We hope you The ordinance also helped create the
will support us in making Boston a more Office of Language and Communications
accessible place to live, work, and play. Access (LCA). Our office works to build
the capacity of all 48+ City departments
In February 2016, Mayor Walsh signed around language and communications
City Ordinance 2016 Chapter 13 which access. Our four main areas of We partner with community groups in anyway we can. Whether you are a
established language and communications responsibility are: and organizations so more people can community member, organization, or city
access in the City of Boston. This learn about these services. We created employee, we look forward to working
ordinance strengthens the Mayor’s vision We provide support. We help City a feedback form and a website to open together to make our city a welcoming
to make Boston a more inclusive and departments make their services and direct lines of communications with place for all.
equitable city. It ensures that people information more accessible to all. We constituents.
The Office of Language and
who use languages other than English provide regular training on guidelines
(LOTE) and people with disabilities have and best practices. We act as the point We organize resources. We compile Communication Access works to
resources that we think will be valuable strengthen the City of Boston so that
meaningful access to City information and of contact for any and all inquiries about
to both city staff and constituents. We services, programs and activities
services. language and communications access.
maintain and lend out assistive technology are meaningfully accessible to all
equipment like assistive listening constituents. To learn more, visit the
The ordinance is an advancement of an We collect data. We collect data
devices and interpretation equipment. Language and Communications Access
executive order from 2008. This order about people’s experiences regarding
We recruit for the Volunteer Language website at boston.gov/LCA.
created the baseline practice of providing greater accessibility in the City. We
interpretation services for residents measure the City’s capacity in providing Pool that draws on the skills of generous
appearing before boards or commissions. these specific accommodations. We use multilingual volunteers. We create reports The Office of Language and
Mayor Walsh’s ordinance extends this information to improve our practice like the Demographic Data report that Communication Access works to
this practice to include interpretation, and help the City create more meaningful capture the diversity of the City. strengthen the City of Boston so that
translation, and assistive technology services. services, programs and activities are
support for all City services and So how can we help you? We are happy meaningfully accessible to Bostonians.
programs. Furthermore, the City strives We partner with communities. to answer your questions and assist
8 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 9
with some set aside for formerly homeless 3 Senior Housing
City of Boston News households, seniors, and artists.
Investments Included
To ensure that all units receiving City
funding will remain affordable, they will
all be deed restricted permanently or for
50 years. In all cases, the projects have East Boston
been carefully underwritten to leverage
alternative sources to minimize City Grace Apartments
funding. Developer: East Boston Community
Development Corporation
For the homeownership opportunities,
first-time homebuyers earning between The developer will create 42 units
70-100 percent of AMI will receive down of low-income elderly housing,
payment assistance, the opportunity to including five units of housing for
take a home buying class, and financial the homeless in Maverick Square.
and real estate counseling.
Mayor Walsh Announces More Than $26 million “DND is excited that we were able to
fund projects with such deep affordability, North End
in New Funding for Affordable Housing in Boston ranging from 50 percent of the Area
Median Income to homeless individuals Knights Senior Housing
Building on his commitment to create for working families in our City. This and the elderly,” said Chief of Housing Developer: East Boston Community
and preserve affordable housing announcement is a great example of how Sheila Dillon.” Development Corporation
in Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh we’re building strong partnerships in
announced more than $26 million in the housing community to create more Funds to create and preserve these East Boston CDC will create 23
new and recommended funding from affordable housing options across all of units will be awarded from three affordable apartments for seniors,
the Department of Neighborhood our neighborhoods.” sources: the first, of approximately $4.4 including three units of housing
Development, the Neighborhood million, consists of funds administered for homeless seniors, and a
Housing Trust, and the Community The new funding will create 459 new by the Department of Neighborhood neighborhood meeting space, in the
Preservation Fund, to create and preserve units and preserve 56 units of housing. Development. The second source, of Knights of Columbus headquarters.
515 units of housing in Brighton, East As a result of requesting proposals with approximately $3.6 million, utilizes
Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan, Mission a focus on creating affordable units, 290 funds from the Neighborhood Housing
Hill, North End, and Roxbury. The units that will be created or preserved Trust (NHT), which are collected through Roxbury
new funding will also contribute to will be restricted to households with low, the City’s Linkage policy, extracting
affordable housing programming like the moderate, and middle income. affordable housing funds from developers Bartlett Station Lot D
Acquisition Opportunity Program and the of large commercial projects. Developer: Preservation of
Boston Home Center. The majority of these units will be Affordable Housing (POAH)
accessible to households with incomes up The third source is from the Community
“As Boston continues to grow, we want to 60 percent of the Area Median Income Preservation Fund, of approximately $18 The developer proposes to create 52
to make sure everyone has a place to (AMI), which amounts to $65,000 or less million, which are collected through the units of housing, including 42 units
call home, no matter their income,” for a family of four. CPA’s one percent property tax surcharge restricted to Bostonians over the age
said Mayor Walsh. “It’s important now adopted by Boston voters in 2016 to of 55 who earn at or below 80% of
more than ever that we use every tool The new units are a combination of invest in affordable housing, historic AMI, or $69,000 for a two person
in our toolbox to build more housing homeownership and rental opportunities preservation, and open space. household.
10 SENIORITY | May 2019 S E N I O R I T Y | M a y 2 0 1 9 11
Events + Activities
Memorial Day Flag Garden
May Happenings: For Memorial Day weekend on the Boston Common, volunteers plant over
37,000 flags at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Each flag represents every
Ways to Fill Your Calendar brave MA service member since the Revolutionary War who gave his or her
life defending our country.
* Please note not all events are free and are subject to change
This Month ...
Community Reading Event Color Me Calm Yoga for Seniors
with Mimi Jones Time: All Day Time: 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm Mayor Martin J. Walsh's
14 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm 17 Location: BPL - Codman Square 21 Location: BPL - West End
Branch, 151 Cambridge St.
Neighborhood Coffee Hours
Location: First Church in Branch, 690 Washington St. 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Roxbury, 10 Putnam St., Contact Info: aeneh@bpl.org Contact Info: 617-523-3957
John Eliot Square Tuesday, May 14
Contact Info: 617-318-6010 Fenway, Symphony Park
Franklin Park Bird Walk Walking Tour Of Sumner Hill Free Gentle Yoga Monday, May 20
Time: 7:00 am - 8:30 am Time: 11:00 am -12:00 pm Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Mattapan, Walker Playground
15 Location: Franklin Park - 18 Location: Loring-Greenough 23 Location: BPL - Mattapan
Branch, 1350 Blue Hill Ave Wednesday, May 22
Meet at the Shattuck picnic area House, 12 South St., Jamaica
and Franklin Park tennis courts Plain Contact Info: Contact Info: 617-298-9218 South Boston, Joseph Moakley Park
by the Shattuck Hospital Info@JPHS.org
Contact Info: 617-442-4141 Thursday, May 23 (9:15 am)
*Bring binoculars Back Bay / Beacon Hill,
Commonweatlh Ave Mall
Adult Sewing Classes Senior Social Club - Beginning Internet Class
Time: 10:30 am -1:00 pm Part of Never Too Late Group Time: 11:00 am- 12:00 pm Tuesday, May 28
16 Location: BPL - Honan-Allston 20 Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 29 Location: BPL - Brighton Roxbury, Marcella Park
Branch, 300 North Harvard Location: BPL - East Boston Branch, 40 Academy Hill Rd
St. Contact Info: Registration Branch, 365 Bremen St. Contact Info: Call for an *Dates and times are subject to change
Required - Please email Carin Contact Info: 617-569-0271 appointment and ask for Alan
at coconnor@bpl.org at 617-782-6032. Consult social media for weather
617-787-6313 cancellations:
Facebook: @bostonparksdepartment
Twitter: @bostonparksdept
617-635-4505
ww.boston.gov/parks
12 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 13
BETTER
WITH Kay Wilson,
AGE!
100, from
Dorchester!
It is not every day you get to spend
a morning with two centenarians,
running around a pop-up exhibit
intended for teenagers taking selfies.
It is a beautiful and important reminder
that aging can mean many things.
Aging can be freeing. Freedom from
judgment and our own expectations.
It can liberate us from the things that
held us back when we were younger.
Aging can be playful. It can allow us
to appreciate silly, joyful moments, Irene Murray,
and find humor in unlikely places.
103, from
Aging can be fulfilling. It can reveal Charlestown!
opportunities and open new paths of
understanding about ourselves and the
world around us.
Like with most things, aging can be
what you make it.
-Your Editors
14 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 15
Snapshot of
Ways to Engage During Age Strong
Older Americans Month Programming
& Throughout the Year Create Aging Mastery
The Aging Mastery Program®
by engaging in core curriculum combines
activities that promote evidence-informed knowledge
learning, health, and sharing with goal-setting and
personal enrichment. feedback routines, daily practices,
peer support, and small rewards.
Yoga-lates on the Greenway
Yoga-lates fitness class series
Connect Contribute offers an age-friendly fusion of
yoga and pilates.
with friends, family, time, talent, and life Memory Cafés
and services that experience to A Memory Café is a place where
support participation. benefit others. individuals with memory loss and
their caregivers can get together
in a safe, supportive and engaging
environment.
Say Your Age with Karen Young
We explore the challenges and
triumphs of growing older through
drumming and facilitated dialogue.
There are so many ways to
Connect by attending one of our create and engage with the Boston needs your strong skills Tai Chi
We can connect
community eventsyou to
specifically This free evidence-based
Age Strong Commission in the and experience. Contribute by
programs and
coordinated outings
for older that
Bostonians workshop focuses on preventing
City of Boston. Some of our volunteering. We can connect
enrich
that yourthroughout
are held life in Boston.
the falls and improving balance.
new programs include Tai Chi, you to a variety of volunteer
For the most up-to-date
city. Our biggest events include which helps improve balance, opportunities based on your
programming
our annual Mayor’sdetails, call50th
Walk, us What Unites Us
and What Unites Us, which interests, location, and preferred
at: 617-635-4366.
Anniversary Celebration, and A program to celebrate Boston’s
offers cultural cooking classes time commitment. immigrants by learning how to
Senior First Night. You can that celebrate Boston's diversity. prepare cuisine from all over the
also connect with caregivers and For more details about our
Interested in learning more? volunteer opportunities, contact world and promote healthy living.
those with dementia through our
View our side bar for a quick Age Strong at 617-635-4366.
Memory Cafés. You can learn For more ways to engage and the
how to age strong and participate snapshot of some of our
programming. most up-to-date programming,
in our Aging Mastery classes. call us at: 617-635-4366.
16 SENIORITY | May 2019 S E N I O R I T Y | M a y 2 0 1 9 17
A ge S trong at every decade in B oston
50's 60's 70's 80's 90's 100's
Brian Higginbottom, 58 Mangla Fash, 62 Rachel Tate, 75 Juan Viteri, 83 Edith Deas, 90 Irene, 103, and Kay, 100
“When I was in my 30s and "Wake up and enjoy your "Enjoy life. Live life to the “I cook my own food. I “I’m always learning about “Love is the best thing
40s, I took life much more life every second. Be happy fullest. Exercise, be very still exercise, avoid eating different organizations you can give to anyone.
seriously. I put so much cheerful and kind to each active, be involved, and grease, and no drugs, alcohol and events that keep me Learn from yesterday, live
focus in work and forgot other. Say hello and make learn about what's going on. or cigarettes. I go to the club active. It’s so important to for today, and hope for
about relaxing. Now, as I’m friends. Happiness makes a I help bring other people and dance to all types of get involved in the church tomorrow.” - Irene
in my 50s, I realize how healthy life. The more kind information." music. Just have fun. I still and surround yourself with
important my time is and you are to others the happier dance pretty well.” positive people. It helps you “If someone suggests
that I should spend it how you'll be. Exercise is very stay young.” something to you, before
I want to spend it. Now, I important and diet." you take any action, confer
spend much more time with with someone and listen. It is
my family and friends.... so important to listen.”- Kay
It’s okay to take time off
and chill.”
18 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 19“Just because you’re old doesn’t
“I give my problems to God
mean you can’t be active.”
and ask him to help me.”
What is the most "I can’t just wear one bracelet.
amazing thing you I have to wear them all.
have experienced “You want to be happy? Then be happy. I
in your life? tell people, ‘If you’re gonna be a grouch,
That I'm still here at
100 years old! don’t sit on my couch!”- Irene
20 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 21In Boston, we Age Strong.
As part of the Health and Human Services cabinet, our mission at
the Age Strong Commission is to enhance your life with meaningful
programs, resources, and connections so together we can live and
age strong in Boston.
We can help with: Call us for more details at 617-635-4366.
Information + Referral: Volunteer Opportunities:
Our helpful Advocacy Representatives can connect you Boston needs your strong skills and experience. We
to resources, benefits, and information, including health can connect you to a variety of volunteer opportunities
insurance counseling, applications for SNAP (food), based on your interests, location, and preferred time
referrals to protective services, and more. commitment.
Events + Engagement: Housing:
Staying active and engaged in your community is an Our housing team has the expertise and compassion
important part of aging strong in the City. to solve problems with you, including housing search,
landlord/tenant advocacy, applications for fuel assistance,
and much more.
Transportation: Caregiver Support:
Being able to travel around Boston is an important part We are here to help with questions, offer support, and
of leading an independent life. We offer free, wheelchair- connect caregivers to helpful resources. We provide referrals,
accessible shuttles that provide door-to-door service for offer workshops,and host Memory Cafes.
non-emergency medical appointments. Call
617-635-3000 to schedule your ride.
22 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 23The Buzz Seen on Social Media
Find us on Facebook and Twitter: @AgeStrongBos
Seniority On social media, we post inspirational quotes for a dose of #WednesdayWisdom.
Here are a few!
Around
the World
Boston Seniority magazine was
spotted in New Orleans, Louisiana
with Cassandra Baptista, our Age
Strong Communications Director
and one of our Seniority editors.
Boston Crate Giveaway!
In honor of Older Americans Month, let us
know how you connect, create and contribute
for a chance to win.
The Flashback
Emails us at bostonseniority@boston.gov
by June 1st with:
● your name
● age Last month's answer:
● neighborhood Guild Row, Roxbury
● phone number
*Congratulations to Roxbury resident
Etta Moore for contacting us with the
Senior Spotlight correct answer.
Forty years after her historic Boston marathon victory, Can you guess?
61-year-old Joan Benoit Samuelson returned to the course
and finished the 2019 marathon only 30 minutes within her
winning time. The talented runner hoped to come within 40 Hint:
minutes of her 1979 victory, and she fulfilled those wishes This was taken on November 1905.
after completing the race in just over 3 hours.
©Kevin Morris
24 SENIORITY | May 2019 SENIORITY | May 2019 25Seen Around Town
©Isabel Leon
©Isabel Leon ©Isabel Leon
©Isabel Leon
26 SENIORITY | May 2019
©Isabel Leon SENIORITY | May 2019 27@AgeStrongBOS
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
28 SENIORITY | May 2019You can also read
