Tips and resources to help you navigate the joys and challenges of aging, from Boston's trusted expert in senior care.
$3M Grant Supports Study of Probiotic/Prebiotic (Synbiotic) Medical Food on Bone Health of Older Women
The study will support an 18-month clinical trial of a synbiotic medical food in 220 older women to test whether it maintains lumbar spine bone mineral density with aging.
The NIH/National Institute on Aging has awarded an R01 $3M grant to study the impact of a probiotic/prebiotic (synbiotic) medical food developed by Solarea Bio on maintaining bone health of older women.
The study will support an 18-month clinical trial of a synbiotic medical food in 220 older women to test whether it maintains lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) with aging.
“There is an unmet need for safe and effective dietary interventions for the metabolic processes underlying bone loss,” said Dr. Shivani Sahni, PhD, who is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, associate scientist at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, and director of the Nutrition Program at the Marcus Institute. “Currently recommended strategies for maintenance of healthy bone mass are limited to consuming a diet rich in vitamins and minerals and performing weight bearing activity.”
“Osteoporotic fractures can have devastating health and economic consequences. Thirty percent of women will not survive the first year following a hip fracture, and in the United States 1.5 million fractures costs the healthcare system $17 billion annually,” said Dr. Clifford J. Rosen, MD, Maine Medical Center Research Institute. “As our population ages and life expectancy increases, the burden of osteoporotic fractures will continue to rise without specific, safe, and effective ways to maintain bone mass with age.”
“The proposed study is significant because it will test the efficacy of the synbiotic medical food, SBD111, to maintain bone density with age,” said Dr. Eric Schott, co-founder and COO, Solarea Bio. “It also will provide the mechanistic insights leading to strategies for the dietary management of the metabolic processes underlying osteopenia and osteoporosis.”
“Osteoporotic fractures result in more hospitalizations than heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer combined and cause severe pain, long-term disability, and early death,” said Douglas P. Kiel, M.D., MPH, director of the Musculoskeletal Research Center at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “The projected increase in age-related osteoporotic fractures is estimated to be more than 48% between 2005 to 2025 with direct costs exceeding $25 billion in 2025.”
Hebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research investigators are Dr. Shivani Sahni, PhD (PI), Dr. Douglas P. Kiel, M.D. MPH (Co-I), and Dr. Thomas G. Travison (Co-I). Solarea Bio collaborators are Dr. Eric Schott, PhD (PI), and Dr. Gerardo V. Toledo, PhD (Co-I). USDA HNRCA at Tufts University collaborator is Dr. Paul F. Jacques, DSc (PI). Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI) collaborator is Dr. Clifford J. Rosen, M.D. (PI).
About the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research
Scientists at the Marcus Institute seek to transform the human experience of aging by conducting research that will ensure a life of health, dignity, and productivity into advanced age. The Marcus Institute carries out rigorous studies that discover the mechanisms of age-related disease and disability; lead to the prevention, treatment, and cure of disease; advance the standard of care for older people; and inform public decision-making.
About Solarea Bio
Solarea Bio is a clinical stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, MA, mining the untapped microbial diversity of fresh fruits and vegetables to develop novel solutions for managing inflammatory diseases and enabling people to enjoy long, healthy lives. Solarea has built a best-in-class strain catalog of bacteria and fungi, a database of their genomes, and a computational platform to mine them to develop products across a range of categories including supplements, medical foods, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
About the USDA HNRCA
The Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University, located in Boston, MA, is one of six human nutrition research centers supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is a bench-to-bedside research center that generates translational scientific results. It is run by a cooperative agreement between the USDA and Tufts University and is one of the largest research centers in the world studying nutrition and its relationship to healthy aging and physical activity.
About MaineHealth Institute for Research
MaineHealth Institute for Research supports and encourages a broad spectrum of research at MaineHealth ranging from basic laboratory-based research through translational research, which works to apply basic discoveries to medical problems, to clinical research, which studies the direct application of new drugs, devices and treatment protocols to patients, to health services research which seeks to use research methods to help improve and evaluate health care delivery programs and new technologies.
$53.4M Grant to Brown, Hebrew SeniorLife Funds Alzheimer’s Research Effort
Federal grant from the National Institute on Aging will fund a collaborative research incubator to support trials across the nation aimed at improving care for people living with dementia.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has awarded a five-year grant expected to total $53.4 million to Brown University and Boston-based Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL) to lead a nationwide effort to improve health care and quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as their caregivers.
Together, the institutions will create a massive collaborative research incubator to develop trials aimed at evaluating interventions for Alzheimer’s disease or Alzheimer's-related dementia (AD/ADRD).
“This grant will revolutionize the national infrastructure for research into how care is delivered to people living with dementia and their caregivers,” said Vincent Mor, co-leader of the collaboration and a professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown’s School of Public Health. “The key is figuring out how to take an idea that worked in an ideal situation and adapt it so it can be piloted in the messy real-world system of care providers that exists across the U.S.”
The grant from NIA, one of 27 institutes and centers of the National Institutes for Health, will support the incubator for the next five years. For Brown, the grant marks the largest federal award in University history.
The research incubator, called the NIA Imbedded Pragmatic AD/ADRD Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Collaboratory, will take on two primary objectives through eight working groups comprising experts from more than 30 top research institutions. The first objective is to fund and provide expert assistance to up to 40 pilot trials that will test non-drug, care-based interventions for people living with dementia. The second objective is to develop best practices for implementing and evaluating interventions for Alzheimer’s and dementia care and share them with the research community at large.
“The NIA IMPACT Collaboratory will transform the delivery, quality and outcomes of care provided to Americans with dementia and their caregivers by accelerating the testing and adoption of evidence-based interventions within health care systems,” said Dr. Susan Mitchell, co-leader of the collaboration, senior scientist at HSL’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
The 40 pilot projects will be embedded in real-world health care systems and generate the necessary data to inform larger, definitive trials supported with federal funding, the researchers said.
Projects will benefit from guidance from the collaboratory’s community of experts, who will assist with ethical concerns (such as how to secure informed consent from people living with dementia); technical support and generation of data on participant populations; statistics and project design; advice on how to measure patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes; dissemination of results and efforts to maximize the likelihood of implementation; partnering with health care systems interested in conducting trials; project administration; training for junior researchers; inclusion of and applicability to people of all backgrounds and cultures; and best practices to engage people interested in this work, including people living with dementia and their caregivers, health care systems and researchers.
Researchers at Brown and HSL have collaborated on aging research for nearly 40 years. Mor is renowned for his expertise in quality measurement and brings decades of experience running clinical trials focused on older adults within real-world health care systems, including skilled nursing centers. Mitchell, director of Palliative Care Research at the Marcus Institute and co-director of the Interventional Studies in Aging Center, has dedicated her career to research to improve the care of people living with dementia, particularly those in the later stages.
For the past four years, Mor and Mitchell have co-led a trial on the effectiveness of videos that guide patients through planning for care preferences to be employed when they become too incapacitated to make decisions. For that trial, they partnered with two large nursing center corporations.
“It’s time for Alzheimer’s and other dementias to receive the same level of research focus and investment as cancer,” said Louis Woolf, HSL president and CEO. “We’re proud to collaborate with Brown University to address this national epidemic that affects not only patients, but their families and caregivers as well.”
Brown President Christina Paxson said the grant will complement efforts across the University to devise treatments and technologies to address a wide variety of brain-related diseases and injuries.
“Alzheimer’s and dementia remain among the most vexing neurodegenerative diseases both to researchers searching for solutions and to patients and family members,” Paxson said. “This grant will harness the collective power of leading-edge scholars at Brown, Hebrew SeniorLife and across the nation to advance care and make a positive real-world impact on the individuals most directly affected by these illnesses.”
Ideally, the yearlong pilot projects will originate with professionals within the affected health care systems, rather than only academic researchers, Mor and Mitchell said. This goal builds on the mission of the Center for Long-Term Care Quality and Innovation, which will lead administration of the grant and is based at Brown’s School of Public Health. The center focuses on partnering with innovators, including health care providers, to evaluate novel practices to improve the quality of care.
“This new grant harnesses the School of Public Health’s depth of expertise and collaborative strength to investigate pioneering interventions with the potential to transform the lives of those living with dementia, along with the lives of their families and caregivers,” said Bess Marcus, the school’s dean.
Mor said that the $53.4 million grant is one among many examples of how NIA is supporting research in recognition of the urgent and growing public health need to better care for the millions of American families who face Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that while more than 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, the number is expected to double by 2050. The current annual cost of dementia care exceeds $226 million a year in the U.S. alone.
“The national discourse around Alzheimer’s and other dementias is growing louder by the day as the number of Americans suffering with this disease increases exponentially,” said Dr. Lewis Lipsitz, director of the Marcus Institute and chief academic officer. “The NIA IMPACT Collaboratory will provide the research infrastructure and community of experts needed to conduct real-world clinical trials that will meet this challenge head-on.”
The work is supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award No. U54AG063546. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Founded in 1764, Brown University is an independent, coeducational Ivy League institution and the seventh-oldest college in the U.S. Brown is a leading research university where talented students and accomplished faculty collaborate to blend deep content knowledge to address the defining challenges of a complex and changing world. At the heart of the University’s teaching, research and scholarship is a commitment to academic excellence, intellectual freedom and making an impact to better serve people, communities and society.
The Brown University School of Public Health’s Center for Long-Term Care Quality and Innovation was formed with a gift from the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living to rigorously test and disseminate promising interventions to improve care for older adults. For more information, visit brown.edu/go/innovation or follow the center on Twitter @LTC_Innovation.
Hebrew SeniorLife, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, is a national senior services and academic leader uniquely dedicated to investigating, understanding and enhancing the experience of aging. Based in Boston, the nonprofit organization, founded in 1903, provides communities and health care for seniors, research into aging and education for geriatric care providers. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit http://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook or read our blog.
Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research is committed to the conduct of high-quality research that discovers the mechanisms of age-related disease and disability; leads to the prevention, treatment and cure of disease; advances the standard of care for older people; and informs public decision making.
10th Annual EngAGE Features Bill Nye the Science Guy and Grammy Award-Winning Singer Darlene Love
Fundraiser to power Hebrew SeniorLife’s health care, communities, research, and teaching that transform the experience of aging
Hebrew SeniorLife, New England’s largest nonprofit provider of senior health care and living communities, and the only senior care organization affiliated with Harvard Medical School, will host its 10th annual EngAGE event Monday, Oct. 16, at 5:00 p.m. at the Museum of Science, Boston.
The lineup includes: Bill Nye, renowned scientist, inventor, TV personality, and educator, and long-time host of “Bill Nye the Science Guy”; and Darlene Love, Grammy Award-winning singer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and actress. Love, who has sung with Patti LaBelle, Bette Midler, and Bruce Springsteen, was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “20 Feet from Stardom,” and is best known for “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”
EngAGE 2023 will be a mixed-media program with dynamic guest speakers and entertainers followed by dinner. Proceeds from EngAGE 2023 will benefit Hebrew SeniorLife’s health care, communities, research, and teaching that transforms the experience of aging.
Other speakers include Steven H. Landers, M.D., MPH, the new president and CEO of Hebrew SeniorLife, and Board Chair Melissa Bayer Tearney.
Bill Nye will talk with researchers from the organization’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and will host the EngAGE “Science Fair” that will include: Courtney Millar, PhD, assistant scientist, to discuss her research on nutrition and dietary interventions; Brad Manor, PhD, director of the Mobility and Falls Research Center, to highlight the vital role of cognition in balance control; and post-doctoral research fellow Amir Baniassadi, PhD, to demonstrate the impact of home air temperature on the health of older adults.
“EngAGE provides an opportunity to talk about the latest research and advances from Marcus Institute researchers. With Bill Nye, we’ll spark conversations about rethinking how we age. Through EngAGE, our sponsors and attendees raise necessary funding that helps Hebrew SeniorLife address urgent needs of seniors, including research that helps older adults live more vital, meaningful lives,” said Tearney. “It is also an opportunity to introduce our new president and CEO, Dr. Landers, to a wider Hebrew SeniorLife audience.”
In 2021 and 2022, EngAGE raised a combined $2.4 million. Sponsorships and tickets are available now for the 2023 event. For more information, visit the EngAGE website.
Hebrew SeniorLife hosted its 2023 golf tournament on June 5, 2023, at the Belmont Country Club in Belmont, MA, raising $500,000 to help our seniors live with independence, dignity, and joy, regardless of their age or ability.
Almost 200 golfers and guests enjoyed a morning and afternoon shotgun, followed by cocktails and a brief awards program. WS Development was the event sponsor, along with over 60 additional generous sponsors and donors.
WS Development Partner Tom DeSimone honored at the event
Hebrew SeniorLife board member Tom DeSimone was the honoree. Tom, who is a partner at WS Development, and his wife Midge are major supporters of Hebrew SeniorLife. Reese Genser was chair the Golf Committee, which also included Jeffrey Drucker, Todd Finard, Jim Conviser, Jeff Winnick, and Mira Woods.
Proceeds from the event support HSL’s health care, communities, research, and teaching.
Patients, families, colleagues, and supervisors nominated 29 nurses working at four Hebrew SeniorLife campuses and specialties across the Boston area for the 2024 Salute to Nurses special report published in the Boston Globe Magazine. The annual feature recognizes area nurses whose dedication and caring have saved lives, soothed fears, improved the quality of life, and eased the pain of countless patients and their families.
Judy Alcindor, RN, a Brockton resident who works as a staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated twice, including by Tricia Downing, the daughter of one of her patients. Dowing wrote, “In February 2022, my family had the difficult decision of moving my dad with Parkinson’s to a long-term facility at the young age of 72. Heartbroken and unsure of his future, we trusted the staff at NewBridge to help us make this transition. Judy went above and beyond, and we felt so lucky that it instantly put us at ease. On December 31, Dad had to be transported for an emergency surgery. Judy called us, checking in on him, and welcomed him back upon arrival, standing there waiting for him in his room with open arms. We are lucky that she absolutely loves my dad and goes above and beyond for him every day. Our biggest fear of a long-term facility is no longer a fear but a blessing. I appreciate all the staff there who engage with my dad and keep his dignity in such a hard fight.”
Larysa Chou, RN, a Wilmington resident and nurse manager at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, was nominated by Alla Grinberg, the daughter of one of Larysa’s patients, for her “incredible work as a nurse for my mother. She completes each task with thoroughness and empathy, noting each patient's unique needs. She goes to extreme lengths to care for her patients. She manages everything very diligently and is always proactive when issues arise, solving each problem effectively and thoughtfully.”
Monique Denaud, RN, a hospice nurse and resident of West Roxbury, was nominated by Julie Bailey, RN, BSN, CHPN, hospice clinical manager at Hebrew SeniorLife. According to Bailey, “Monique is an exemplary hospice nurse with a long history of excellent patient care. She is able to professionally coordinate the care of her patients and work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to provide the best care possible. Monique has an incredibly calm, compassionate demeanor with which she is able to approach challenging situations, and this is very comforting and reassuring to her patients and families.”
Nadejda Iurii, RN, a charge nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and a Waltham resident, was nominated by Larysa Chou, RN, nurse manager, because “Nadejda exemplifies compassion, clinical competency, excellent communication, trust in care, and advocacy for patients through her consistent and attentive approach. She consistently demonstrates empathy and understanding towards patients' needs and concerns. She takes the time to listen actively to patients, validating their feelings and providing emotional support. Whether holding a patient's hand during a difficult procedure or simply offering a comforting presence, she makes sure patients feel cared for and valued. Additionally, her attention to detail and critical thinking skills allow her to anticipate potential complications and address them proactively, minimizing risks to patients' well-being…and she effectively communicates with patients, their family members, and other members of the health care team, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. By keeping everyone informed and involved in patients' care plans, she promotes transparency and trust, enhancing the overall quality of care. She always prioritizes patients' well-being above all else.”
Alexandr Kleynerman, RN, a staff nurse for more than 14 years at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and a Marlborough resident, received two nominations. Nadya Kopelman, nurse manager at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, said, “One of the most remarkable qualities about Alex is his big heart. He truly invests in his patients' well-being and is genuinely concerned about their physical, emotional, and mental health. Alex takes the time to listen attentively, offering support and empathy, which goes a long way in alleviating patients' fears and anxieties. His genuine concern and dedication leave a lasting impact on both patients and their families.”
Janet L’Heureux, RN, a team leader and charge nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, has been nominated multiple times since 2019 and lives in Roslindale. According to Jana Galvin, community life leader at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, “Janet is very supportive to patients receiving end-of-life care and their families. She makes sure patients have what they need, whether it's a warmer blanket, calming music, or support for a medical need. She is a great model to her team of what a person-centered care champion looks like.”
Nataliya Maychuk, LPN, a Newton resident and a staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, was also nominated by Alla Grinberg because of Nataliya’s “tremendous work as a nurse for my mother. Nataliya works with extreme diligence and care towards her patients and holds extra compassion towards each person. Though it is a very taxing and difficult job, she attends to each patient with individual knowledge, professionalism, and kindness. I have noticed on every occasion that she will take the extra step and go the extra mile for my mother and every patient. Nataliya approaches each patient's situation with intelligence and concern. She is always accurate and timely, not only in her treatment but in her communication with the residents' families and visitors. She is always the first to arrive and ready to work before her shift even begins. In the toughest times of COVID or flu, she is a constant and a source of reliability. I have the utmost regard for Nataliya. I thank and recognize her for her continuous compassion, talent, and support.”
Anna Qiu, RN, Belmont resident and staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated by Lozel Greenwood, RN, nurse manager, because “Anna demonstrates accountability and compassion and is a role model of patient-centered care every day she works. When she arrives at work, she cares about the well-being of her nursing team and ensures that everyone is well-informed about the patients as well as the plan for the day. She is very thorough in her nursing assessment of her patients, especially regarding skin and wound care. As a member of the wound committee, she continually strives to educate staff on how to best care for and prevent further breakdowns, which is appreciated. In regards to caring for patients with dementia, she provides empathy to the families as well as to the staff who are involved with care. Anna does not hesitate to speak up for the staff or advocate for what’s best for patients’ safety and quality of life. Anna delivers nursing care excellence every day she works.”
Delaney Roberson, RN, was a charge nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston when she was nominated by Galvin. An Allston resident, she now works in the Right Care, Right Place, Right Time initiative, an innovative program that integrates wellness teams into senior housing communities such as Center Communities of Brookline. According to Galvin, “Delaney is a kind, patient, and caring charge nurse. She provides her team with great leadership and always gives a helping hand. She is happy to help bring patients to a special activity or the hair salon, knowing this will improve their quality of life. Last summer, Delaney helped during the Pride parade and volunteered to be the nurse on this special trip to provide nursing care to the patients who wanted to attend.”
Klotilda Xhuti, RN, BSN, a staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and a West Roxbury resident, was nominated by Tatyana Arbe, RN, a nurse manager and Needham resident who herself has been recognized by the Globe. Arbe recommended Xhuti for “her constant dedication to helping patients, outstanding compassion, excellent care, and advocacy for her patients. Klotilda is always ready to help not only patients but also her coworkers. She is a great team player who is highly skilled and consistently displays and promotes high ethical standards.”
In addition, the eight nurses who comprise the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center NewBridge Memory Support Team were nominated collectively by Lozel Greenwood, RN, nurse manager, for going “above and beyond when it comes to providing person-centered care to a challenging population. When it comes to exemplifying Hebrew SeniorLife’s cultural beliefs, this team truly fosters collaboration and focuses on succeeding together. These nurses come to work with a lot of compassion, empathy, and patience.”
“This recognition by The Boston Globe celebrates our hard-working nurses, who consistently go above and beyond, providing the highest level of care and support for our patients and their families. Their dedication, compassion, and talent are instrumental in enabling Hebrew SeniorLife to lead the way in new standards of care for seniors and make a difference in so many lives,” said Tammy Retalic, DNP, MS, RN, chief nursing officer and vice president, patient care services, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center.
Hebrew SeniorLife offers many opportunities for nurses to advance their careers through professional development, tuition assistance, and leadership opportunities. It serves as a clinical training site for students seeking RN, LPN, or CNA degrees and trains nursing students in inpatient and outpatient settings from partner schools, including Academy Health Care, Regis College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, MGH institute of Health Professionals, and Labouré College. Hebrew SeniorLife’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program is based at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and offers a five-week, fully paid program that combines classroom time, lab skill training, and supervised time with patients. The organization was recently designated as an Age-Friendly Health System by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. If you are interested in joining our team for a fulfilling career, please visit our careers page.
35 NewBridge on the Charles and Orchard Cove Employees Receive Scholarships
Residents of NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham and Orchard Cove in Canton, have awarded scholarships to their staff members who live in the greater Boston area.
BOSTON – Residents of NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham and Orchard Cove in Canton, both Hebrew SeniorLife senior living communities that offer the full continuum of care, have awarded scholarships to their staff members who live in the greater Boston area.
The Scholarship Funds were created by the residents of NewBridge and Orchard Cove to benefit their employees, many of whom have close relationships with residents. These programs are entirely resident-run and -funded, and all eligible employees are able to apply. Orchard Cove and Newbridge have separate resident committees that raise the scholarship funds and review applications.
"Education took me out of a New York Lower East Side tenement. The young adults at NewBridge deserve to have the same shot at life that many of us had through a good education. They will give back to our society, and they are the future of America,” said Jack Sobel, a NewBridge resident who supports the fund.
This year 21 employees from NewBridge and 14 employees from Orchard Cove were selected for awards. The recipients will attend 25 different institutions and pursue a wide variety of courses of study. They come from more than 20 local area cities and towns including: Bellingham, Boston, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Dedham, Holbrook, Mattapan, Milton, Nashua (NH), North Easton, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Roslindale, South Easton, Stoughton, Taunton, Westford, and Worcester. Many recipients have also received scholarships for several consecutive years.
Orchard Cove resident Nancy Connery added, “It is easy to feel helpless these days by the many overwhelming issues we all face. Volunteering and supporting the staff here—many who are from other countries—to continue their education feels like we are making a difference. This year three of the scholarship recipients came to the U.S. because of the earthquake in Haiti and suddenly had to make a life here. They applied for scholarships to take classes at local community colleges. Hearing how they are overcoming struggles on Awards Night when their Orchard Cove Mentors introduced them was powerful and inspiring. I often call Scholarship Awards Night the ‘most feel good evening of the year.’ It certainly was this year!”
Efforts are already underway to plan for scholarship awards in 2023.
“We are extremely thankful to our residents who initiated this scholarship program for up-and-coming employees,” said Orchard Cove Executive Director Aline Russotto. “For many of these staff members, the scholarships make the difference in being able to afford higher education. We so look forward to seeing how these employees make their marks at Orchard Cove and NewBridge and beyond.”
About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Based in Boston, the nonprofit organization has provided communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers since 1903. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit our website and our blog, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
9 Leyland, First Affordable Senior Housing in Upham’s Corner, Underway
Development and Management Partnership between DBEDC and Hebrew SeniorLife Supports Seniors to Age Well in Community
BOSTON – Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC), a neighborhood-based MBE organization, and Hebrew SeniorLife, New England’s largest nonprofit provider of senior health care and living communities, have closed on financing and started construction of 9 Leyland, a 43-unit affordable senior housing building in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. Completion is scheduled for June 2023.
The first senior affordable housing in Upham’s Corner will offer 41 one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units for seniors earning below 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Twenty-four units will be supported by project-based rental vouchers of which 11 units will serve seniors earning up to 30 percent of AMI, including seniors transitioning from homelessness.
The development of 9 Leyland aligns with Dorchester Bay’s priority of equitable development without displacement. Ensuring that Dorchester’s senior residents can age in community and thrive in their neighborhood through fully accessible housing with services like health guidance, nutrition counseling, and social activities has been a focus for DBEDC.
“Affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues in Upham’s Corner today. Quality affordable housing is a fundamental component of building strong, stable communities and Dorchester Bay is proud to partner with Hebrew SeniorLife to bring much needed senior housing to the neighborhood,” said Perry B. Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Dorchester Bay. “9 Leyland will provide seniors with the support and resources to live vibrant, healthy lives in Upham’s Corner.”
The project also aligns with Hebrew SeniorLife’s mission to help vulnerable seniors live their best lives in the best place. Founded on Queen Street in Dorchester in 1903, and now headquartered in Roslindale, Hebrew SeniorLife is a vocal proponent of affordable senior communities with supportive services, and offers similar service-rich communities in Revere, Randolph, and Brookline.
“We have a special responsibility to make sure that seniors have access to care and resources that support their independence and desire to remain vital members of their communities,” said Lou Woolf, President and CEO, Hebrew SeniorLife. “We look forward to continuing our work with DBEDC and becoming actively involved in Upham’s Corner.”
“We are deeply grateful to the neighborhood residents who provided their strong support for 9 Leyland and participated in the many visioning, design and permitting meetings required to make this project a success,” said K. Beth O’Donnell, Director of Real Estate Development at DBEDC.
Funding support for 9 Leyland was possible due to the following sources:
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Housing
Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation
Department of Housing and Community Development
Eastern Bank & Rockland Trust
Enterprise Community Partners
LISC Boston
MassDevelopment Brownfields Redevelopment Fund
Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation
Massachusetts Housing Partnership
Neighborhood Housing Trust
The LIFE Initiative
9 Leyland Street was designed by Davis Square Architects and will be built by Kaplan Construction.
About Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC) is a community development corporation founded by local civic associations in 1979 to address the problems of economic disinvestment, unemployment, crime, community tensions, and the shortage of quality affordable housing undermining Boston’s Dorchester neighborhoods. Over the last 40 years, we have worked in partnership with local leaders and stakeholders to build and preserve 1,100 units of affordable housing and over 200,000 square feet of commercial space, to engage residents in community life, and to support a robust economy through small business support and economic development. The structures we have built are physical manifestations of our work, but at its core, our work is about strengthening our community, which is made up of the people who live and work in our neighborhood.
About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Hebrew SeniorLife cares for more than 3,000 seniors a day across six campuses throughout Greater Boston. Our locations include: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-Boston and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-NewBridge in Dedham; NewBridge on the Charles, Dedham; Orchard Cove, Canton; Simon C. Fireman Community, Randolph; Center Communities of Brookline, Brookline; and Jack Satter House, Revere. Founded in 1903, Hebrew SeniorLife also conducts influential research into aging at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which has a portfolio of more than $63 million, making it the largest gerontological research facility in the U.S. in a clinical setting. It also trains more than 1,000 geriatric care providers each year. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org or follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
9th Annual EngAGE Features Fran Drescher, Isaac Mizrahi, and Henry Winkler
Raising funds to change the way we age for future generations
BOSTON – Hebrew SeniorLife, New England’s largest nonprofit provider of senior health care and living communities, and the only senior care organization affiliated with Harvard Medical School, will host entertainers Fran Dresher, Isaac Mizrahi, and Henry Winkler at the 9th annual EngAGE event, Monday, Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m. at the Leader Bank Pavilion on the South Boston waterfront.
The lineup includes: Fran Drescher, an actress, comedian, writer, activist, and trade union leader best known for “The Nanny;” entertainer and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, who is known for his eponymous fashion line and numerous TV appearances; and Henry Winkler, Emmy Award-winning actor, author, director, and producer best known as Fonzie on “Happy Days” and currently appearing on “Barry.” Winkler will join via recorded message due to a conflict with the Emmy Awards, where he is a nominee.
EngAGE 2022 will be a mixed media program with dynamic guest speakers and entertainers. Proceeds from EngAGE 2022 will benefit Hebrew SeniorLife’s health care, communities, research, and teaching that transform the experience of aging.
Other speakers include Louis J. Woolf, president and CEO of Hebrew SeniorLife, who will conduct a fireside chat hosted by Dr. Mallika Marshall, medical reporter at WBZ-TV/CBS Boston; Dr. Lewis A. Lipsitz, director of the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Chief Academic Officer at Hebrew SeniorLife; and Board Chair Melissa Tearney.
This is the first in-person EngAGE since 2019, after the event was held virtually due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. In announcing the EngAGE 2022 speaker program, Tearney said, “EngAGE ignites conversation about how we can all rethink aging, so we’re looking forward to being together in person again. Not only is the event itself not to be missed, our sponsors and attendees are raising critical funds that help Hebrew SeniorLife lead the way in addressing the urgent and advancing needs of seniors from all walks of life.”
In 2021, EngAGE raised $1.2 million. Sponsorships and tickets are available now for the 2022 event. For more information, visit the EngAGE website.
Rooted in Jewish heritage that honors our elders, we promote the independence of all seniors and strive to transform every aspect of the aging experience for the better. By providing vibrant senior communities. Offering a full spectrum of personalized, holistic care. Conducting influential research that continually advances the quality of life for seniors and informs public decision-making. And teaching that grows the ranks of geriatric care providers. All of this makes Hebrew SeniorLife a determined visionary that is charting a course for today’s new reality and promoting the independence and well-being of all seniors – today and for generations to come.
Innovation in Action
Revolutionizing Senior Care
At Hebrew SeniorLife, we are always looking for ways to advance the senior care field. Watch this short video to learn more about our approach to innovation.
Leading the Way in the Field of Aging
More Than a Century of Experience
Caring for All
Since its founding in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston in 1903, Hebrew SeniorLife has steadily evolved and expanded its reach to meet the changing needs and expectations of seniors and their families locally, nationally, and internationally.
Hebrew SeniorLife is at the forefront of geriatric research and physician education, including the essential training of Harvard Medical School students, residents, and fellows in geriatrics and other specialties.
By integrating health care and other support services into residential communities, residents enjoy healthy, independent, and socially engaging lives well into their advanced years.
Hebrew SeniorLife is an important link in the continuum of care for seniors in the Boston area and beyond. We partner with other hospitals and community organizations to improve the health of the entire community.
Hebrew SeniorLife, the largest provider of senior health care and senior living communities in New England and an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, has named Richard J. Henken chair of its Board of...
