Arlene Germain

Arlene Germain is co-founder and executive director of the Massachusetts Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (MANHR), a co-founder of Dignity Alliance Massachusetts and chair of the Facilities Work Group. MANHR, founded in 2000 by grassroots volunteers, is the only statewide consumer group advocating for improvements in the care, dignity and quality of life for MA nursing home residents. Under her leadership, Arlene significantly expanded the scope of MANHR’s advocacy—from mentoring family-run councils to advocating for public policies and promoting best care practices to improve the lives of nursing home residents. Today, MANHR represents nursing home residents in coalitions, committees, and statewide initiatives and provides research to state officials and the media. 

Arlene is the recipient of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care’s lifetime achievement award, the Elma Holder Founder’s Award (2019); the Janet Tulloch Award for her dedication to nursing home resident advocacy (2013), and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys-MA’s Arthur Stavisky Award (2016) for promoting elder causes. 

Arlene retired from an accounting career with a major venture capital firm in 2011 to devote herself full-time to MANHR. Arlene graduated from Boston University, cum laude, with a B.S. in Business Administration. She lives in Medford, Massachusetts.

Contact: agermain@manhr.org