Exec. Office of Elder Affairs

The MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs envisions a state in which every person has the tools, resources, and support they need to fully embrace the aging experience. Together, we support aging adults to live and thrive, safely and independently— how and where they want.

July, 2024: Seven former Secretaries of Elder Affairs sent a letter to Governor Healey regarding the Case for Restoring the Secretary of Elder Affairs as a Full Cabinet Member.

As individuals who have been honored by your predecessors to serve the Commonwealth as Secretary of Elder Affairs, we respectfully urge you to restore the status of the Secretary to be a fully participating member of the Governor’s Cabinet serving along with the other Secretaries. The anticipated enactment of the S.2797, which changes the name of the agency to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, along with the appointment of a new Secretary provide an ideal time to make a meaningful statement about the level of importance that your Administration holds regarding issues affecting Massachusetts’s 1.25 million older adults.

There are compelling reasons for re-establishing the Secretary of Elder Affairs to a full cabinet member position:

Representation for a Growing Demographic: Massachusetts has a rapidly growing older adult population, projected to reach one in four residents by 2030. Upgrading the Secretary’s position ensures their voice is heard at the highest levels of government.
Cross-Departmental Issues: Issues impacting older adults span various departments and areas of interest (transportation, housing, health, labor, climate changes etc.). As a full cabinet member, the Secretary is able to advocate directly and as a peer with other senior policy makers across agencies, fostering a coordinated approach.
Equal Footing with Other Secretaries: Budgetary decisions and resource allocations are crucial. A seat at the Governor’s cabinet table ensures the Secretary can effectively advocate for resources alongside other agencies.
Direct Access to the Governor: Direct reporting to the Governor provides you with continuous, non-bureaucratic two-way communication about issues and matters of concern of a fifth of the Commonwealth’s population and about 40% of its electorate.
Legislative Interest: Various legislators have expressed interest in seeing the position restored as a Cabinet officer including Senator Patricia Jehlen, Senate Chair Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, and Representative Antonio Cabral, House Chair, Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

On Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration filed legislation to rename the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging & Independence to better represent and reflect the values of older adults in Massachusetts. Read more about the Governor’s renaming and DignityMA opinions.

Elder Affairs Annual Legislative Reports

These reports are on the state’s website at Executive Office of Elder Affairs Public Reports, or you can access them below.