Brewster COA Board Participates In Regional Ageism Training

BARNSTABLE – For many, aging can be a taboo topic. That’s why Healthy Aging Cape Cod, the Barnstable County umbrella organization that includes all the councils on aging around the Cape, hosted a recent training centered on “reframing aging.” 

Healthy Aging Cape Cod is a collaborative effort among organizations and stakeholders in Barnstable County to align existing services to better enable residents to age in place successfully, regardless of income. 

Hannah Albers, program director at the National Center To Reframe Aging, led the training on June 10, focused on spreading awareness of implicit bias toward older people. The center is dedicated to ending ageism by advancing an equitable and complete story about aging in America. In addition, officials at the center are on a mission to influence policies and programs that benefit all aging Americans. 

The training was facilitated by a grant from Cape Cod Healthcare. 

“The statement that age-friendly communities add 7.5 years to life is related to research on the impact of positive attitudes towards aging on lifespan,” Albers said as part of the training. “Specifically, studies have found that individuals with more positive attitudes towards their own aging tend to live longer. This finding is often cited in discussions about the benefits of age-friendly communities, as these communities can foster positive attitudes and engagement, potentially leading to increased longevity.”

For more information on the reframe aging program, visit reframingaging.org.