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Aging News state legislation

Gov Healey Files Legislation to Rename EO of Elder Affairs

The Healey-Driscoll Administration filed legislation Senate Bill 2797 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. Hearing on Legislation, June 26, 2024 The Statehouse News reported on the hearing: Mixed Review For Elder Affairs Name […]

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Facilities Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Support News Spotlight

2024-06-25 Spotlight: Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision

Supreme Court outlawed segregation of disabled people 25 years ago. But change has come slowly STAT, June 21, 2024By Timmy Broderick As a toddler, Veronica Ayala loved Fridays. At 5 o’clock sharp, her mom whisked her away from the grim Moody State School for Cerebral Palsied Children for a 48-hour reprieve. Ayala’s house was mere […]

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Advocacy Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Support News

DignityMA Comments on Real Lives Bill

Self-Determination and Self-Directed Services Download the letter on Self-Determination and Self-Directed Services (pdf) Download the Facts Sheet from MA Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy (MA21) on Self-Directed Services (pdf) Letter to DDS June 18, 2024Department of Disability ServicesOffice of the General Counsel,1000 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118 dds.regs.comments@mass.gov.  SUBJECT: Self-Determination and Self-Directed Services Dignity Alliance Massachusetts […]

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Aging News Spotlight

2024-06-18 Spotlight: The Beauty of Embracing Aging

The Beauty of Embracing Aging By Charles M. Blow, New York Times (free access)June 6, 2024 As Evelyn Couch said to Ninny Threadgoode in Fannie Flagg’s “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe”: “I’m too young to be old and too old to be young. I just don’t fit anywhere.” I think about this […]

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Facilities Federal Legislation Long Term Services and Support News Policy

Consumer Voice Statement on H.J. Res. 139 –A Resolution to Block Staffing Standards in Nursing Homes

On May 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule implementing a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes.  The rule will require that nursing homes have a registered nurse on-site 24 hours per day, seven days per week, meet modest minimum staffing requirements, use evidence-based, data-driven methods when determining […]

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Actions Advocacy Facilities Holyoke Soldiers' Home News

Amendment #60 to Senate Bill S.2817  An Act honoring, empowering, and recognizing our service members and veterans

Please support this amendment by contacting your Senator via the Dignity Alliance MA Take Action Page. Senator Lydia Edwards moves to amend Senate Bill 2817, by inserting after section 123, the following new section: Veterans Small Homes Plan SECTION  XX.

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Facilities Long Term Services and Support News Spotlight Worker Support

2024-06-10 Spotlight: Is long-term care evolving or devolving?

Is long-term care evolving or devolving? McKnight’s Long-Term Care NewsBy John O’Connor, editorial director for McKnight’s Long-Term Care NewsJune 9, 2024 With the midyear mark rapidly approaching, this might be a good time to consider the current state of long-term care.  But rather than make an argument whether conditions for operators are getting better or […]

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Facilities Long Term Services and Support News Spotlight

2024-06-10 Spotlight: AG Settles with Nursing Home Chain

AG Campbell Announces $4 Million Settlement With Nursing Home Chain For Significant Staffing And Care Failures Resulting In Resident Neglect Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea CampbellJune 10, 2024  As part of the AG’s largest ever nursing home settlement, Next Step Healthcare will pay $4 million to resolve allegations, improve staffing levels, and agree to […]

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Advocacy News state legislation

Priorities at End of 2023-2024 MA Legislative Session

“So Much to Do, So Little Time” Download the 2024 End of Session Legislative Priorities (pdf) or read it all below. Dignity Alliance Massachusetts has endorsed various bills during the current legislative session. As the Legislature approaches its formal conclusion on July 31, we are highlighting eighteen bills which deserve to be considered and enacted […]

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Facilities News Spotlight

2024-06-04 Spotlight: Caring for your loved ones is their business, not their concern

Caring for your loved ones is their business, not their concern By John and Terri Hale, John and Terri Hale own The Hale Group, an Iowa-based firm advocating for high-quality nursing home care for everyone, all the time.  Contact: terriandjohnhale@gmail.com*The Gazette, June 2, 2024 The Biden Administration recently finalized a rule that would require nursing […]