Commonwealth of Massachusetts Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
1/16/2018

Lead Agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA)

Government Agency

Action Plan Download

An action plan is based on the results of community surveys identifying needs within the 8 Domains of Livability that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. While there is flexibility in how a plan is created and what it will do, every action plan includes a statement about what can be achieved, target dates for goal completion, identification of participating organizations and indicators to measure progress. The action plan is an "active" rather than static document. Revisions and amendments are a sign of program improvement and progress.

Action Plan Highlights

  1. Communication and Information

    Make it easier for residents to learn more about local age-friendly resources in their communities by creating an interactive map.

  2. Civic Participation and Employment

    Enhance workplace practicies to prioritize older employees by creating an age-friendly employer designation to certify businesses that support older workers and family caregivers, exploring ways to make hiring standards more inclusive of older workers, such as changes to hiring forms, and promoting the establishment of age-friendly universities and health systems.

  3. Housing

    Develop new, moderate-income housing for older adults through new cross-sector financial partnerships.

Progress Report Download

The Commonwealth's age-friendly state progress report works alongside other state-level efforts, including its report on Alzheimer's Disease and a guide for technology access and programming for older adults. To support dementia-friendliness in public spaces, the Commonwealth rolled out age-friendly bus stops, as well as a webinar series to help caregivers access information and resources. They also offered LGBTQ-inclusive aging training for service providers. Housing affordability was also a focus, with the Commonwealth working in reduce older adults' property tax burden through a proposed circuit breaker program.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Wayland Council on Aging (2024)

Wayland, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: HomeFit Modifications

Description: This project will support aging in place through home safety trainings for older adults. The Council will also install grab bars in several homes and attendees will receive motion-sensing night lights.

Metropolitan Area Planning Council (2017)

Natick, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Trails

Description: This community engagement initiative sought to identify solutions to allow older adults and people with mobility issues to use off-road trails in Natick. Project organizers met with town staff ahead of two focus groups with older adults, who shared their experiences with local trails. Additionally, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council created an online survey to collect more feedback. Older adults said their main concerns were access to bathrooms, personal safety, clear signage, availability of parking near trailheads, even walking surfaces and benches to sit on. MAPC then held a placemaking event at the Natick Community-Senior Center. Attendees could walk along a prototype trail with photos of planned upgrades and hear from MAPC staff. Participants also had a chance to share their personal stories about the things they've discovered while hiking. The result was a list of practical, low-cost action items the town can use to improve Natick's pathways.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

See all nearby projects

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AARP Massachusetts State Office

One Beacon Street
Suite 2301
Boston, MA 02108
United States

Phone: 866-448-3621
Fax: 617-723-4224
Email: [email protected]