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Heard recently (Visit Quotes page for more)

Everyone deserves to live a full life with dignity. Unfortunately, with healthcare for the elderly and disabled, dignity is often among the first values that are sacrificed. But the good news is that another path is possible. Since 2020, Dignity Alliance Massachusetts (DAM) has emerged as a grassroots coalition dedicated to dignified long-term care.

James Lomastro, PhD, Dignity in Action: From Institutional Failure to Decentralized Empowerment, Nonprofit Quarterly, January 6, 2025

Inadequate Personal Need Accounts (PNAs) compromise the human rights and basic needs of older adults, force them to make tough choices about what personal needs they will have to forego, and highlight underlying ageist attitudes embedded within policy. Addressing the deficiency of PNA should be an element of fulfilling this Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) priority.

Monica S. Aswani, DrPH and Paul R. Shafer, PhD, Medicaid Personal Needs Allowances—Overdue for Adjustment, JAMA Health Forum, January 3, 2025

“Renaming the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging & Independence not only demonstrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to serving our older adults but reflects that we are serious about addressing ageism in the state. As the aging population grows in Massachusetts, we must redefine what it means to advance in age and celebrate the benefits of achieving longevity.

Representative Thomas M. Stanley (D-Waltham), House Chair, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, Governor Healey Officially Renames Executive Office of Elder Affairs to “Executive Office of Aging & Independence, Office of Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, January 9, 2025

Mission

Dignity Alliance Massachusetts is dedicated to transformative change to ensure the dignity of older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.  We are committed to advancing new ways of providing long-term services, support, living options, and care, while respecting choice and self-determination.  Through education, legislation, regulatory reform, and legal strategies, this mission will become reality throughout the Commonwealth.

As a grass-roots coalition of aging and disability service and advocacy organizations and supporters, Dignity Alliance Massachusetts works to secure fundamental changes.

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DignityMA Priorities and Key Topics

MANHR – a Program of DignityMA

Massachusetts Advocates for Nursing Homes has essential information on nursing homes in MA.

Urgent Action Items

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In the News

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• The MA Senate released a report in response to COVID-19. Read more, including the DignityMA response, on the Policies page.
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• Learn to use and leverage Social Media at our workshops: Engaging Everyone: Creating Accessible, Powerful Social Media Content.