What's Executive Order 642?

Aging happens to everyone. It crosses every area that the state’s work touches -- whether it's transportation, housing, the economy, or health care, we can all benefit from thinking about creating an age-friendly Massachusetts when crafting policies and services. That is why Governor Healey signed Executive Order 642 (EO 642) in May 2025 to recognize the cross-sector nature of age-friendly work, and for us to work together to improve life for everyone as we grow older.

Executive Order 642 directs all Executive Office agencies to review their programs, services, and policies to make sure they better meet the needs of everyone aging.

This means looking at how agencies work today and how they plan for the future to ensure that all levels of decision-making, infrastructure design, and resources support people as they age.

The goal is to make age-friendly thinking a regular part of how state government works, helping improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults across the Commonwealth for years to come. This work is dynamic and ongoing. Please check back here for progress updates. 

As part of implementing this Executive Order all Executive Offices have: 

1. Identified current best practices or other innovations - All Executive Offices have identified current best practices or other innovations that may be extended to or used by other agencies and cities and towns. These are best practices across programs, services and initiatives to benefit older adults and promote age-friendly policy goals. Explore these by clicking the "Executive Order Best Practices" box linked below.
2. Identified policy and practice areas for new or enhanced impactful action. Every Secretariat has established specific EO642 age-friendly actions with clear objectives to improve health and wellbeing for older adults and to embed aging in policies, practices, and services.
3. Reviewed and are updating their communications approach and materials (e.g., the language, concepts, and images) to describe or address older adults to be inclusive and person-centered, including identifying specific immediate public-facing opportunities e.g. webpages, social media, new resources etc. They have also begun embedding greater accessibility into communications planning process.