Executive Order 642
Aging happens to everyone. It crosses every area that the state’s work touches whether it be transportation, housing, the economy, or health care, we can all benefit from thinking about creating an age-friendly Massachusetts when crafting policies and services.
Executive Order 642 (EO 642) recognizes the cross-sector nature of age-friendly work. EO 642 directs all Executive Offices to coordinate a policy review to identify ways the goals of age-friendly policy and practice can inform agencies’ programs and resources to best meet the needs of older adults.
The purpose of EO 642 is to build a shared understanding of age- and dementia-friendly state action, collectively examine policy, programs, and practice through an age- and dementia-friendly lens, to assess and improve the impacts of these on older adults. The ultimate outcome of this work is to embed age-friendly policies and practices throughout the Commonwealth to improve the health and wellbeing of all aging adults for years to come.
The Executive Order also establishes a Governor’s Advisory Group on Age-Friendly Policies and Practices to gather stakeholder and expert input on relevant areas such as transportation, housing, regional planning, economic security, retirement and other issues affecting older adults and aging populations.
Read more about Executive Order 642:
- Governor Healey signs Age-Friendly Executive Order
- Executive Order 642: Instituting Age-Friendly Practices
We believe there is more we can do to harness the vast potential of our growing community of older adults. We have a unique opportunity to build on the intentional and thoughtful work of countless residents, communities, organizations, agencies, philanthropies, tribal organizations, non-profits, and private sector partners. Each of us plays a critical role in ensuring that our infrastructure, programs, and services are prepared to support older adults in leading high-quality, active, independent, and healthy lives.
This plan is structured around six key goals that describe the desired outcomes for older adults in the Commonwealth.
What does the term “Age-Friendly” mean?
Age-Friendly describes a movement to make communities more welcoming and livable for older residents and people of all ages. It describes efforts we can take together to create places where people can grow up and grow old together. AARP has identified eight areas for communities throughout the country to focus on improving:
| Areas to Focus on Improving |
|---|
|
|
|
|
| 5. Respect & Social Inclusion |
| 6. Civic Participation & Employment |
| 7. Communication & Information |
| 8. Community & Health Service |
Why is it important for Massachusetts to become Age-Friendly?
Massachusetts has always been a leader in providing services and support to older residents. Today, we have more residents over the age of 60 than under the age of 20, and this growing population of older people offers an opportunity to develop new ways to help residents age and thrive in the places where they live, work and volunteer.
Is Age-Friendly just about helping older people?
No, age-friendly communities are more welcoming and livable for people of all ages. When we help an older person continue to live, work, and volunteer in our communities, we all benefit from their energy, experience and contributions. As we grow older, we want to be able to live as independently as we can, in cities and towns where our contributions are respected and valued and our changing needs are supported.