
Healthy Aging Martha's Vineyard
Making Martha's Vineyard an Aging-Friendly Island
Our Accomplishments
2021
HAMV accomplished quite a bit in FY2022!
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We completed our island-wide Older Adult survey (2,500 respondents) and the creation of island-wide and town level analysis of findings. These results were shared with over 20+ stakeholder audiences of service agencies, town governments, etc. Mailing of summary findings to 6,000+ Older Adult households.
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Began the development of a 5 year community plan, informed by survey and other data sources working with the MA Healthy Aging Collaborative. Explored and committed to working with service agencies, led by C4L, to obtain dementia-friendly designation as well.
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Continued and strengthened our island-wide Home Safety Modification Program. With grants from MVH and MVSBCF, we will continue to fund home renovations for 50+ pilot participants. The pilot program will continue through FY2023 with an objective to identify a long-term island sponsoring agency to scale and continue this program
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Convened and led monthly meeting with the Older Adult Transportation Coalition, consisting of over 15 service agencies, to address the needs for alternative transportation options for Older Adults, both on- and off-island. Launched the GoGoGrandparent Pilot Program to address on-island needs. Exploring models and funding for off-island medical transportation.
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Hosted bi-monthly meetings with the Falls Prevention Coalition and oversaw island-wide efforts for Falls Prevention Month (Sept), developing a host of print and media assets on awareness, education, and empowerment available to all island service agencies.
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Advocated on behalf of other island agencies to raise awareness of Older Adult needs and to obtain funding and demonstrate legislative support for key initiatives.
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Continued to educate and provide educational seminars for Advance Care Planning, strengthening our partnership with MVH and other health care providers, raising the percentage of Older Adults who have completed Health Care Proxies by over 3% in the last 6 months. 75% of those who attended educational seminars led by HAMV went on to complete a Health Care proxy.
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Collaborated with the COAs, Food Equity Network, Food Pantry, IGI, and churches to assure isolated Older Adults had access to food and medication during the pandemic.
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Submitted numerous proposals for funding to support these initiatives to Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Tufts Foundation, Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Farm Neck Foundation, ARPA funding (via the county) and Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation.
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Participated in “Project Happiness 2.0” in partnership with IGI to bring gardening projects to isolated Older Adults via the COAs.
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Published our newsletter to over 1,400 subscribers raising awareness of island programs serving Older Adults, sharing information on aging research and trends, and providing information on local resources.
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Supported the development of the Green House model nursing home, working with MVH and Navigator Homes to bring this 10 year journey to completion, resulting in a 70 bed skilled nursinghome facility on-island that is available to residents at all income levels.
We greatly appreciate the financial support that each town has provided to HAMV in past years. We could not have done it without you.
Fiscal Year 2022
Fiscal Year 2021 was a great year for HAMV.
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We launched a pilot project for an island-wide Home Safety Modification Program working with Martha’s Vineyard Builders Association and a group of volunteers. So far we have served 65+ homeowners!! For more information on the program, click here.
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Completed a collaboration with Boston University, to conduct an Island-wide Older Adult Survey (60+ full-time and seasonal residents) which provided a comprehensive understanding of short and longer-term needs, how Older Adults feel about aging on the island, and how they wish to contribute. To learn more about the contents of the survey, click here.
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Cosponsored Advance Care Planning (ACP) workshops for all island residents (not just those 65+). Click here to learn more!
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Collaborated with the COAs, Food Equity Network, Food Pantry, IGI, and churches to assure isolated seniors have food and medication during the pandemic.
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Provided island-wide Falls Prevention education. Click here for more information!
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Participated in “Project Happiness” in partnership with IGI to bring gardening projects to isolated Older Adults.
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Supported the development of the Green House model nursing home, working with MVH and Navigator Homes to bring this 9 year journey to completion, resulting in a 70 bed skilled nursing home facility on-island that is available to residents at all income levels. Click here to go to the Navigator homes website!