ADVOCACY

Local Government Advocacy Resources for Age and Dementia Friendly Communities

Communities working to become age- and dementia friendly have a range of opportunities and topics on which to potentially influence and improve local government policy for healthy aging. Based on feedback from your city or town, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative and its partners have gathered the following resources and tools to address priority policy issues.

This webpage will continue to be updated as new resources become available.

Advocacy Overview:

• Citizen’s Guide to Town Meetings from Mass. Secretary of State
• Massachusetts state legislature website: Search Mass General Laws, pending bills and budget items.

Economic Security

• Water and sewer rate exemptions – “Tapping Affordability” fact sheet with community examples of exemptions.
• Property tax deferral – Taxpayer’s Guide to Local Property Tax Deferrals
• Property tax work-off: Mass General Law outlining rules for local programs
• Employer’s Toolkit to Supporting Working Caregivers

Equity

• Healthy Aging for All Guide
• DPH Racial Equity Data Roadmap
• MetroWest Health Fdn. Health Equity Guidebook
• Local and Regional Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE): Resources

Physical Environment

• WalkBoston: Age-Friendly walking infrastructure and policy changes
• Healthy Places by Design – Socially Connected Communities: Solutions to Social Isolation
• AARP Walk Audit Guide: Assess and take action to improve community walkability
• HomeFit Guide: Resources on home modifications
• ADU sample bylaws and resources
  • Arlington (see page 97)
  • Salem: Facts about ADUs
  • ABC’s of ADU’s – AARP Guide and resources on creating accessory dwelling units
• Massachusetts Housing Choice Law – Learn about changes that allow certain local zoning and housing improvements.
• Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA): Resources on Housing Policy, Housing Policy Education
• Housing Partnership (MHP): Housing Toolbox to help create and implement affordable housing strategies. Resources and technical assistance are also available
• Abundant Housing Mass: Expertise on supporting pro-housing groups across the state on equitable housing strategies.
• Complete Streets – state funding and support program to create safe and accessible travel modes for all
• MassMobility – Resources and funding opportunities to help improve transportation
• Shared Use agreements – Resources from ChangeLab Solutions on opening public and private buildings and outdoor spaces for broader public use.

Social Environment

• Dementia Friendly Communities: Information on how to help your city or town become more dementia friendly from Dementia Friendly Massachusetts.
• AF/DF Business designation
  • Boston
  • Brookline
  • Salem
• Intergenerational programs – Massachusetts examples from Generations United
• Dementia Friends: Free awareness and education on changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia.
• Memory Cafes: Information on starting and coordinating Memory Cafes with supplementary info and resources.
• Addressing isolation and loneliness: “It’s the Little Things” Report from the Task Force to End Loneliness and Build Community.
• Technology Access and Use – Digital Equity Resources from the Mass. Healthy Aging Collaborative and partners
• Senior Civic Academy
  • Boston
  • Waltham