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Upham’s PACE, in Boston, MA, has been designated “Age-Friendly” by the city after staff conducted walk-through visits at two centers of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). During the visits, city staff assessed if the centers promote age- and dementia-friendly features and services, such as bright lighting, unobstructed walkways, accessible bathrooms, door-through-door transportation, and trained staff.

In the photo at right, manager Maria Amado-Cardoso and aide Theresa Simmons of the Dorchester PACE Center display the Age-Friendly Certificate.

The Boston Age-Friendly Project is a collaborative effort to make the city a better place to live and age. Upham’s PACE took the first step to becoming certified as an Age-Friendly organization last spring when staff participated in Age-Friendly Certification Training, led by the city’s Age Strong Commission. The training provided an overview of the 75-step action plan the city is implementing to make Boston an “Age-Friendly City.”

Age-Friendly Boston is a partnership with AARP, the University of Massachusetts Boston Gerontology Institute, community organizations, and Boston residents over age 50.