Dignity Alliance Massachusetts, a grass-roots coalition of aging and disability service and advocacy organizations and supporters, works to secure fundamental changes in the provision of long-term services, support, and care.
Take Action!
- Visit the State Legislative Endorsements page to learn about the state bills that can advance the Dignity Alliance Massachusetts’ Mission and Goals.
- Visit the Federal Legislative Endorsements page and learn about relevant bills in Washington.
Thank you to all who joined our conversation on Global Dignity Day (October 20th) with Dignity Alliance Massachusetts. Visit the Global Dignity Page to learn more and to view the Zoom video.
Visit the Working Groups page to learn more about our members.
To receive the weekly Tuesday Digest, visit our Sign up for Emails page.
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.
Objectives
These and other objectives are intended to ensure maximum health and dignity in fully integrated and coordinated settings and to support and appreciate workers who provide services and care. We passionately believe that Massachusetts frail elders and persons with disabilities have the right to expect to live their lives in dignity, with self-determination, and with respect to their privacy as much as any other resident.
Single Occupancy Rooms
The immediate creation of an initiative to demonstrate the efficacy of nursing facilities operating exclusively with single-occupancy rooms. This addresses consumer demand and expectations for privacy, dignity, and choice as well as optimizes infection control protocols.
Covid Analysis
Legislative oversight hearings to determine why and how residents and workers disproportionately incurred the worst impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and what strategies, policies, and procedures are being developed to address any resurgence of Covid-19 or the spread of influenza and other infectious disease in nursing homes and other congregate living settings.
Worker Support
Immediate and comprehensive enhancement of supports, including, but not limited to, sufficient and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), testing, paid sick time, and compensation for frontline workers confronting the current coronavirus outbreak as well as anticipating future needs.
Increase Housing Options
Increase support for affordable and accessible housing, especially with service availability. Many people remain in a facility long after they have recovered from an illness or injury because they cannot find suitable living accommodations.
In the News
Alarm sounded over continual gaps in care at nursing homes
Read More
HR 598 – Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID–19 and Beyond Act
Read More about HR 598
(Oppose) S 1295 – Trust Act of 2021
Read More about S 1295
HR 2812 – Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act
- DAM Goal 1: Nursing Home Reform that is person-centered and respectful of human dignity with oversight, accountability ...
Read More about HR 2812
The Budget Reconciliation Legislation which includes nursing home reform, HCBS funding, workforce enhancements and elder justice provisions
Read More about Budget Reconciliation
S2694 / HR 5169 – Nursing Home Improvement and Accountability Act of 2021
Read More about S2694 and HR 5169
Get Involved – Take Action
Download the 2020 Dignity Alliance Massachusetts Annual Report (docx).
Support Community Service Budget Items
Read more about budget items