Published: 1/19/2022 5:51:29 PM
AMHERST — Amherst officials are kicking off a project that aims to improve opportunities and outcomes for older adults and people with dementia.
As the town strives to become an Age and Dementia Friendly Community, a working group holds its first virtual meeting, via Zoom, on Thursday afternoon.
Communications manager Brianna Sunryd said the working group will be assisted by staff from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in developing a community assessment and action plan later this year. Both the Senior Center and Planning Department are also involved with the project.
The initial meeting can be joined starting at 1 p.m. by going to https://bit.ly/3FNqOLM or by calling 312-626-6799 and entering webinar ID 837 5917 9568 and passcode 504711.
During the several-month project, a “livable Amherst” community survey will be distributed to older adults and caregivers as a way to learn about the challenges facing senior citizens and others. There will be virtual listening sessions, and possibly in-person listening sessions at some point, and public forums with guidance developed by the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative.
Sunryd said more information about the project will be posted on the town’s Engage Amherst website at engageamherst.org/agefriendly/.
— Scott Merzbach