Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan
NEW: Read the Commonwealth of Massachusetts year-three progress report for ReiMAgine Aging, the Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan which serves as the state’s multiyear plan to make the Commonwealth more age- and dementia-friendly.
The Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan serves as the state’s multiyear plan to make the Commonwealth, as a whole, more age- and dementia-friendly.
Review the plan and give us your feedback. We value the important voice of older adults, caregivers, communities, and stakeholders and look forward to reading your suggestions. To provide input on the Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan please submit comments online through our online form, or by contacting EOEA by phone at 617-727-7750.
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:
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5. Respect & Social Inclusion |
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6. Civic Participation & Employment |
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7. Communication & Information |
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8. Community & Health Service |
Why is it important for Massachusetts to become Age-Friendly?
Our state 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, because everyone is aging. 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.
What is Massachusetts doing?
We are doing a lot. Every sector; government, businesses, non-profit, philanthropic, health and educational institutions are involved in Age-Friendly Massachusetts. This includes:
- The Governor’s Council on Aging in Massachusetts, established by the Administration to plan and promote healthy aging in Massachusetts. Learn more about the Council.
- More than 100 cities and towns are active or beginning work on Age and Dementia-Friendly designations. (Dementia-Friendly planning is part of Age-Friendly efforts to make cities and towns more welcoming for people with dementia.)
- Strong partnerships including local and state agencies, AARP-Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, Point32Health Foundation, the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging, Dementia-Friendly Massachusetts, and others.
How do I find out if my city or town is involved in this effort?
To find out if your town is working to become Age-Friendly, view the tracking map on the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative website
How can I get involved?
To find out how you can get involved in the Age-Friendly movement in your own city or town, contact your local Council on Aging, or the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative for more information.