In the year since Governor Maura Healey announced the ReiMAgine Aging 2030 Plan representing a vision and framework to accelerate age- and dementia friendly efforts across Massachusetts, progress and positive impact have been demonstrated by partners at the local, regional and statewide levels.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC) joined state, local and organizational leaders on May 8^th 2025 when the Governor announced the update to the original age-friendly state plan from 2019. This followed a yearlong process of community engagement led by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence to ensure the plan reflects the most current priorities, needs, and aspirations of Massachusetts residents. MHAC supported several listening sessions along with AARP Massachusetts, Massachusetts Councils on Aging and many others who all work on advancing the goals and actions within the plan.

The Governor took a further step in May 2025 in signing “Executive Order 642: Instituting Age-Friendly Practices,” which aims to strengthen consideration of older adults and healthy aging in state policy and practice. Much of that work, including an age-friendly policy review across executive agencies and identifying leads for the work in each agency, has taken place and will continue.

The developments below are a collection of new programs, policies and practices that align with the six strategic goals of ReiMAgine Aging 2030:

Goal 1 – Economic Opportunity & Security:

• The City of Boston celebrated its 100^th business certified under their Age and Dementia Friendly Business Program.
• The Senior Housing Commission, created by the Affordable Homes Act signed in 2024, worked over the past year and released a report earlier in 2025 called “Building for Aging: Recommendations for Creating Affordable and Healthy Senior Housing.” Many of the recommendations are in the process of being implemented.
• The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) launched a new webpage, “How to Start Looking for Affordable Housing in Massachusetts,” which aims to be a step-by-step guide on how to look for affordable rental housing. This includes housing options for older adults.
• More than 17,000 people volunteered at councils on aging/senior centers throughout the state, donating over 1.4 million hours of their time.
• Councils on Aging delivered over 859,937 home-delivered meals and served 774,967 congregate meals.
• Over 75,000 people received assistance accessing and applying for health insurance, fuel assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other benefits through COAs’ on-site SHINE counselors and outreach staff.
• AARP Massachusetts hosted and supported 50 events on fraud awareness that reached more than 7,300 participants.
• Over 27,000 people received tax, financial, or legal assistance at their senior center.
• COAs engaged 3,689 older adults as work-off volunteers, allowing them to offset their tax bills by performing essential work right at the senior center

Other intentionally age-inclusive initiatives that align with this goal:

• Governor Healey announced $33.5 million in Community Development Block Grant Awards (CDBG) that support housing rehab, installing and reconstructing sidewalks, accessibility improvements, senior center improvements and social services – much of which benefits older adults.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassHousing recently announced the launch of a new, statewide accessory dwelling unit (ADU) loan program for Massachusetts homeowners. The new ADU loan program, announced last December, will provide second mortgages of up to $250,000 to help eligible homeowners across Massachusetts add an additional housing unit to their property. Advancing ADUs helps provide housing options for older adults and people of all ages.
• The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) updated the 2025–2026 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) in January 2026 to mandate that new construction, elevator-equipped projects using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) include at least 10% fully accessible units (previously 5%).

Goal 2 – People & Communities:

• The “Dementia Friends” information and awareness training program exceeded 20,000 people engaged in Massachusetts.
• The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC), which leads the Age-Friendly Central Massachusetts initiative covering 40 cities and towns, recently released a report, “Discovering the Happy Factor” that examines how civic involvement impacts happiness and well-being among the diverse populations of Central Massachusetts. CMRPC also announced a mini-grant program to help communities implement the recommendations locally.
• The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging Released it 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.
• Age and Dementia Friendly Franklin County-North Quabbin launched a new website with an interactive map to show the impact the initiative is having across the region. LifePath, the lead organization for that regional initiative, also awarded 17 grants of $3,000 to local organizations that support programs that align with the regional plan.
• Pittsfield Senior Center offered interactive workshops, personalized emergency planning and emergency supply kits to help older adults prepare for severe weather and power outages.
• Massachusetts Coalition to End Loneliness and Build Community hosted their annual “Good Neighbor Day” to combat social isolation.
• Executive office of Aging & Independence hosted seven “Caring for the Caregiver” Webinar Series events, spanning topics such as dementia-related behaviors, nutrition and emotional health, scam prevention, and hospitalization planning. There have been 1,156 combined live attendances and recording views with an additional 830 YouTube views.

Other intentionally age-inclusive initiatives that align with this goal:

• Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) hosted 243 events under their Universal Access Program (UAP) that engaged 3,885 participants. Of those participants, 2,301 are living with a disability. The UAP provides outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts state parks for visitors of all abilities.

Goal 3 – Places & Spaces:

• The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced a total of over $15.6 million through MassDOT’s FY26 Community Transit Grant Program (CTGP) for municipalities, Councils on Aging, Regional Transit Authorities, and nonprofit organizations towards fully accessible vans and minivans to enhance mobility for older adults and people with disabilities.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced nine awards totaling $10 million through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Microtransit and Last-Mile Transit Grant Program. Among the award recipients was the City of Salem to support the “Salem Skipper” microtransit service. The Salem Skipper started as a pilot program funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation (Now Point32Health Foundation) to provide transportation to older adults as part of the city’s age-friendly initiative called “Salem for All Ages.”
• La Colaborativa in Chelsea used an AARP grant to transform the Route One Bridge under-space into a hub where older adults can access health services, nutritious food, and engage in cultural, social, and fitness activities.
• Amherst revitalized a plaza near senior housing and a community center with seating, lighting and greenery to foster social connections for older adults and improve accessibility.
• Executive Office of Aging & Independence released a “playbook” for communities based off learning from their “Enhancing Digital Literacy for Older Adults” Grant Program

Other intentionally age-inclusive initiatives that align with this goal:

• The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $7.5 million will be awarded through the MassTrails grant program to support 50 trail projects that will improve and expand the trail network across Massachusetts. The two projects mentioning older adults specifically are the towns of Mendon and Hadley. Mendon’s project will create ADA accessible boardwalks, bridge and scenic viewing areas while Hadley’s project will connect the senior center, along with the library and a school, to the Norwottock Rail Trail.
• The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) awarded $6.8 million to 34 municipalities and two Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) as part of the Shared Streets and Spaces Program. The program encourages quick implementation of projects to improve plazas, sidewalks, curbs, streets, bus stops, parking areas, and other public spaces in support of public health, safe mobility, and strengthened commerce. Much of these improvements are age-friendly and the grant program maintains priority for project applications that positively impact older adults.
• MassDOT Released Final Report from the Special Commission on Micromobility, which is now legislation that would create a first-in-the-nation framework for regulating micromobility devices and use.
• The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MassTech) Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) announced $22,260,701 in grants through the Residential Retrofit Program to upgrade internet access for 15,793 affordable housing units across 54 communities in Massachusetts. Many of these unites are within senior housing sites.

Goal 4 – Health & Wellness:

• With an AARP Community Challenge Grant, the Health Equity Partnership of North Central Massachusetts created telehealth access hubs providing supportive environments for residents to connect with care providers. These hubs will offer private rooms, technical assistance, and digital literacy classes.

• Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition, led by the Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development, hosted the inaugural Caregiver Champion Awards to recognize business that support employees providing care to loved ones and friends.

Intentionally age-inclusive initiatives that align with this goal:

• The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Anti-Hunger Task Force released recommendation on combatting food insecurity.

Goal 5 – Aging in All Policies:

• New regional collaborations of communities and organizational partners committed to becoming more age- and dementia friendly in 2025, including Healthy Aging Cape Cod, Old Colony Planning Council and Health Equity Partnership of North Central Mass. These organizations engage communities to create and implement age- and dementia friendly plans, but also embed those concepts in other planning strategies and initiatives.
• In conjunction with Older Americans Month and Executive Order 642,The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hosting three in-person events to aid park visitors in applying for Senior Parking Passes, which grant Massachusetts residents age 62 or older lifetime parking access at participating state parks, beaches, forests, and recreational facilities for a one-time fee of $10.
• North Adams Partnership hosted an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) design competition to address the housing needs of residents age 50 and over.
• Six age-friendly communities completed their action plans: Amherst, Palmer, Hatfield, Huntington, East Longmeadow, Pioneer Valley region.

Intentionally age-inclusive initiatives that align with this goal:

• Several state agencies, including the Department of Revenue, raised awareness around text scams.

Goal 6 – Information, Communication & Framing:

• The new Healthy Aging Data Report compiled by UMass-Boston’s Gerontology Institute and funded by Point32Health Foundation was released to accelerate age- and dementia friendly community efforts, support advocacy, and empower stakeholders with information that unlocks philanthropic and public funding to support healthy aging. The report includes data profiles on older adult health and wellness in every city and town in Massachusetts.
• Healthy Aging Cape Cod held SAGECare (LGBTQ+ Aging) and “Reframing Aging” training sessions that reached a total of 165 participants, equipping stakeholders with valuable knowledge and skills regarding aging issues. These trainings directly empower participants to better serve older adults, tackle ageism, and foster a more informed and responsive community.
• Executive Office of Aging & Independence created an index of Heat Preparedness resources for older adults and caregivers.

Other intentionally age-inclusive initiatives that align with this goal:

• Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation promoted positive framing of older adults and older workers in the 2025 Massachusetts Competitiveness Index, which is an annual report on the strength of the state’s economy.
• Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) released a new Climate Resilience Playbook and includes older adults and councils on aging.