The Key to Healthy Aging and Longevity commonwealth cca care alliance September is healthy aging month, a time to raise awareness about the physical and mental health needs of older adults. This is especially important in Massachusetts where more than a quarter of the state's population will be at least 60 years old by 2030. To maintain health in this stage of life, Bay Staters will need to be intentional about staying physically active and socially engaged. Research shows that when older adults retire or scale back their working hours, they can increase their risk for heart disease and other chronic conditions by 40%, and verbal memory declines 38% faster. Some of this risk is due to the loss of work routines, but it's also because older adults can be more socially isolated. Over a quarter of adults 60 and older live alone, and day-to-day interactions can become increasingly limited. In adults aged 50 and older, isolation and loneliness have been linked to premature death, stroke, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and a 50% increased risk of dementia. While staying physically and socially active can help stave off these health issues, it's hard for some to find opportunities to do so. That's why Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA) helps its members connect to programs and resources that can help keep them active and engaged. As part of a holistic care plan, our teams focus on more than just medical needs. When social isolation or loneliness are potential risks for members, we help them volunteer, pursue hobbies, join clubs, visit senior centers, participate in classes, connect them with community companions, and more. "In supporting individuals' medical, mental, and social needs, CCA can help keep older adults active and connected, which is critical to healthy aging," said Nicole Cormier, Senior Director of Clinical Care Partnership at CCA. "Our care teams take a unique, personalized approach to provide holistic healthcare and connect members with the appropriate resources they need to live a higher quality of life with greater independence." At CCA, we hear stories everyday about how our members age well by staying active and connected. For example, one of our members is a retired nurse who volunteers for a local nursing home, helping the recreational department plan fun and healthy activities for residents. She also loves to knit and crochet and uses her hobbies to create gifts for her nursing home family, including her coworkers and residents. When this member joined CCA, she had one goal: stay healthy and mobile so she could keep volunteering. During the member's initial conversations with her CCA nurse and care partner, she stressed her desire to improve her cardiovascular fitness to help her keep up with her volunteer work. She also wanted to find some more convenient ways to get to her volunteer site. To help, her care partner helped her create a personalized care plan focused on accessing programs and services to ensure the member could keep volunteering. The care partner also helped the member better understand all her benefits, including all the medical services and social supports that the member could access to continue volunteering. Since their initial conversation, the care partner has met with the member regularly to help her stay on track. "At CCA, our goal is to help members stay healthy, happy, and thriving," Nicole said. "By volunteering, our member isn't just helping others, she's also helping herself. Staying active and engaged is the key to longevity and we're committed to helping those we serve truly live out their golden years." Commonwealth Care Alliance is a mission-driven healthcare services organization that supports older adults and individuals with the most significant needs. Visit: ccama.org/health. The Key to Healthy Aging and Longevity commonwealth cca care alliance September is healthy aging month , a time to raise awareness about the physical and mental health needs of older adults . This is especially important in Massachusetts where more than a quarter of the state's population will be at least 60 years old by 2030. To maintain health in this stage of life , Bay Staters will need to be intentional about staying physically active and socially engaged . Research shows that when older adults retire or scale back their working hours , they can increase their risk for heart disease and other chronic conditions by 40 % , and verbal memory declines 38 % faster . Some of this risk is due to the loss of work routines , but it's also because older adults can be more socially isolated . Over a quarter of adults 60 and older live alone , and day - to - day interactions can become increasingly limited . In adults aged 50 and older , isolation and loneliness have been linked to premature death , stroke , heart disease , depression , anxiety , and a 50 % increased risk of dementia . While staying physically and socially active can help stave off these health issues , it's hard for some to find opportunities to do so . That's why Commonwealth Care Alliance ( CCA ) helps its members connect to programs and resources that can help keep them active and engaged . As part of a holistic care plan , our teams focus on more than just medical needs . When social isolation or loneliness are potential risks for members , we help them volunteer , pursue hobbies , join clubs , visit senior centers , participate in classes , connect them with community companions , and more . " In supporting individuals ' medical , mental , and social needs , CCA can help keep older adults active and connected , which is critical to healthy aging , " said Nicole Cormier , Senior Director of Clinical Care Partnership at CCA . " Our care teams take a unique , personalized approach to provide holistic healthcare and connect members with the appropriate resources they need to live a higher quality of life with greater independence . " At CCA , we hear stories everyday about how our members age well by staying active and connected . For example , one of our members is a retired nurse who volunteers for a local nursing home , helping the recreational department plan fun and healthy activities for residents . She also loves to knit and crochet and uses her hobbies to create gifts for her nursing home family , including her coworkers and residents . When this member joined CCA , she had one goal : stay healthy and mobile so she could keep volunteering . During the member's initial conversations with her CCA nurse and care partner , she stressed her desire to improve her cardiovascular fitness to help her keep up with her volunteer work . She also wanted to find some more convenient ways to get to her volunteer site . To help , her care partner helped her create a personalized care plan focused on accessing programs and services to ensure the member could keep volunteering . The care partner also helped the member better understand all her benefits , including all the medical services and social supports that the member could access to continue volunteering . Since their initial conversation , the care partner has met with the member regularly to help her stay on track . " At CCA , our goal is to help members stay healthy , happy , and thriving , " Nicole said . " By volunteering , our member isn't just helping others , she's also helping herself . Staying active and engaged is the key to longevity and we're committed to helping those we serve truly live out their golden years . " Commonwealth Care Alliance is a mission - driven healthcare services organization that supports older adults and individuals with the most significant needs . Visit : ccama.org/health .