Congratulations, Massachusetts! (May, 2025)

Congratulations, Massachusetts

Massachusetts recently released ReiMAgine Aging 2030: The Massachusetts Plan (the Plan) - an update to the state’s vision and aspirations for growing older in the Commonwealth. The Plan is the state’s multisector age- and dementia-friendly plan, which provides a framework to guide their age- and dementia-friendly actions for the next five years. The Plan identifies six aspirational goals, 34 extensive strategies, and a series of focused actions that state agencies, local communities, community-based organizations, and the private sector can implement to ensure Massachusetts is a great place for everyone to grow old and thrive.  The plan, which includes an analysis of the state’s aging population, identifies key opportunities to further engage with older adults and challenges older residents face when aging in Massachusetts.

In addition to releasing the refresh Plan, Governor Healey signed an Executive Order which aims to further embed age-friendly policies and practices into the work of Executive Offices, beginning with a policy review and an internal audit of the framing of older people in the state’s language, images, and practice.  The Governor also established an 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. The Plan and this Executive Order are a continuation of the Commonwealth’s commitment to support older adults and creating a place for positive aging.

In 2018, the Commonwealth officially began age- and dementia-friendly work when Massachusetts became one of the first states in the nation to join AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, and a year later, developed a multisector plan on aging, coined the Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan 2019. Read the full updated plan here.

New Article: MPAs Can Promote a More Coordinated Ecosystem for Older Adults

In a new Generations article, Carrie Graham explores how states are using Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) to build more coordinated, age-friendly ecosystems. Drawing on recent developments and implementation insights, the article highlights how MPAs are helping states align cross-sector efforts, reduce service silos, and respond proactively to the growing needs of older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities—especially in the face of federal uncertainty. Read the full article here. 

Contact us

For questions, comments, or suggestions related to MPAs or the newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us at MPA@westhealth.org.