The statewide network of partners and communities driving the age- and dementia friendly movement continue to innovate and make progress thanks to cross-sector collaboration and listening to what matters from older adults and stakeholder organizations.
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is grateful for the opportunity to convene and support this cross-sector network with ongoing support of the Point32Health Foundation, which in 2024 was named among the nation’s most community-minded organizations by the Civic 50.
As a state, Massachusetts continues to be a national leader as the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative joined a group of partners spearheaded by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) in supporting a refresh of our statewide Age-and Dementia Friendly Action Plan. Massachusetts was among the first states to be recognized for its commitment to becoming more age and dementia friendly in 2019, and we are once again leading the way with an updated plan to meet an ever-changing context.
MHAC co-hosted several listening sessions with EOEA and local partners in Springfield (Public Health Institute of Western Mass., Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the Raymond A. Jordan Center), Greenfield (LifePath and Franklin Regional Council of Governments) and a virtual session open to a broad audience (with support from JSI). The listening tour also rolled through Boston, Barnstable, Lawrence, Salem and Worcester. An updated action plan is coming in 2025.
In 2024, Massachusetts added the 101 cities in towns of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to AARP’s Age Friendly Community network making it the largest age-friendly region in the country. As a regional planning agency, MAPC already created a long-range plan called MetroCommon 2050 that engaged older adults throughout its communities and MHAC served on advisory groups to help inform the initiative. The MetroCommon 2050 plan projects that an additional 200,000 adults 65 and over will live in the region by the year 2050 – 745,000 in total. Already, MAPC promotes grant opportunities, best practices, and technical assistance that supports more affordable housing, safe and walkable communities, and climate resiliency, among other age-and dementia friendly issues.
On housing issues, MHAC was proud to support a major policy victory when the Governor signed the Affordable Homes Act into law. The historic legislation authorizes $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years along with 49 policy initiatives to counter rising housing costs caused by high demand and limited supply. Among those policies were MHAC priorities, including allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under 900 square feet by-right statewide on single-family lots. The law also establishes special commissions on Extremely Low Income Housing, Senior Housing, and Accessible Housing for persons living with disabilities and seniors. See MHACs advocacy on ADUs and other provisions in the original proposal. MHAC looks forward to working with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and its many partners in housing advocacy to further these initiatives.
On transportation issues, MHAC was grateful to partner with MassDOT in its work on “Beyond Mobility: The Massachusetts 2050 Transportation Plan.” MassDOT joined MHAC’s Statewide Network Meetings to present, answer questions and gain feedback for the strategic document that serves as a blueprint for guiding transportation decision-making and investments. MHAC also provided direct input based on feedback and priorities identified by communities and stakeholders. The full action plan includes many age- and dementia friendly elements, including free or reduced transit fares for older adults, pedestrian safety, mobility management, and exploration of dementia friendly design features.
MHAC continued to support and advance digital equity among older adults in 2024. With more than $3 million in funding support awarded last year from the Mass Broadband Institute, AgeSpan and MHAC lead a grant program that is serving hundreds of older adults with digital literacy support and devices in 74 communities alongside several Aging Service Access Points, Mass. Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, Mass Law Reform Institute and MassAccess. The program also supported the creation of a PSA to raise awareness about the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and how people could take steps to find other low-cost internet options.
MHAC has also worked alongside the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to provide technical assistance on the Enhancing Digital Literacy for Older Adults Grant Program, also awarded last year, which supports 24 councils on aging representing 65 municipalities. The COA awardees are collaborating with libraries, colleges and local businesses to help older adults gain digital skills to enhance connections to information, socialization, educational and workforce opportunity while building community.
MHAC also received a $25,000 grant from Community Catalyst via the Administration for Community Living to increase awareness of and outreach to family caregivers. MHAC will be working with EOEA, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition on the project over the next year.
With some additional highlights listed below, MHAC remains grateful for the leadership and guidance of its Executive Committee as well as the involvement, input and partnership of its Statewide Network. MHAC thanks its key supporters and collaborators, including Massachusetts Councils on Aging Association, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, AARP Massachusetts, Point32Health Foundation and AgeSpan.
Other 2024 MHAC Highlights:
- MHAC commented on the National Plan on Aging and hosted the Administration for Community Living to present to the MHAC Statewide Network on the plan.
- MassDOT received a $360,000 federal grant for a statewide mobility management program, which was supported by MHAC.
- The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission released their year-one progress report for their age- and dementia friendly regional initiative, which covers 40 cities and towns.
- Massachusetts-based best practices in age- and dementia friendly efforts were recognized by national organizations, including
- Partnership with the Boston University MetroBridge Program that had students study local tax relief programs for older adults in three regions of the state. A report on their findings will be shared early next year.
- MHAC supported the Executive Office of Elder Affairs on a rebrand and name change to the “Executive Office of Aging and Independence.”
- More than $3 million was awarded by MassDOT to age-friendly projects in local communities as part of the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program.
- Inclusion of older workers and caregivers in the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Workforce Agenda.
- MHAC supported eight communities working to embed equity and inclusion in their age-and dementia friendly initiatives with ARPA funding via EOEA.
- Age- and Dementia Friendly projects in Concord and East Longmeadow were supported through the Community Compact Best Practices Program.
- MHAC shared age- and dementia friendly funding opportunities, tools, research and best practices via our blog and newsletter.