August 5, 2026
Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
James will begin by sharing an overview of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative's work advancing healthy, equitable, age- and dementia-friendly communities across Massachusetts. Together, James and Caitlin will then share examples of how they have partnered with older adults, particularly "super users" of services, to inform research, shape advocacy, and develop community ambassadors who help ensure programs, policies, and initiatives are grounded in the lived experiences of those they are designed to serve.
They will also discuss how this work addresses information equity, recognizing that while many valuable programs, services, and resources exist for older adults, awareness of and access to them often do not. By empowering trusted community ambassadors and engaging older adults as partners, they are helping bridge gaps in knowledge, improve access to resources, and ensure information reaches those who need it most.
