Avoid unnecessary institutionalization in nursing homes. January 27, 2023 by Alex Green and Bill Henning EVERY DAY, thousands of Massachusetts residents with disabilities are admitted to segregated nursing facilities, be it to recover from medical procedures, to receive respite and care because they’re homeless, or because of a lack supportive services that are needed to […]
Category: Advocacy
The Dignity Dozen The Legislative Work Group has released their initial list of 13 bills supported by Dignity Alliance Massachusetts. These bills will improve the lives of older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. DignityMA has also endorsed a number of legislative proposals sponsored by other organizations. Read this initial document (pdf) to learn […]
*Boston Globe, January 4, 2023Letter to the Editor by James Lomastro Editor’s note: James Lomastro is Chair of Dignity Alliance’s Veteran Services Workgroup. Kay Lazar’s article “Stranded in a hospital bed, with no guardian and little recourse” (Page A1, Dec. 27) brought a focus to an issue that does not receive much attention: the plight […]
by Henry Kuczinski Daily Hampshire Gazette, December 26, 2022 BOSTON — Governor-elect Maura Healey said she will “absolutely” work with advocates and labor representatives to strengthen Massachusetts’ Personal Care Attendant Program by addressing a “crisis-level” workforce shortage. The MassHealth program provides funds for individuals with chronic disabilities to hire attendants for in-home care. This allows […]
Crisis of Care for Older Adults should be a Call to Action, not a Plea for More Tax Dollars. By Paul Lanzikos, Arlene Germain, Richard Moore, Lachlan Forrow. MD Boston Globe, December 23, 2022 The seriousness of our nursing home crisis, especially the severe shortages of available nursing and other support staff, is undeniable (“At a […]
Dignity Alliance endorsed securing age extension requirements for disability benefits. The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, one of several federal bills endorsed this term by Dignity Alliance Massachusetts, operates as a long-term savings account for disability beneficiaries without running the risk of losing additional federal benefits, such as Social Security Income and Medicaid. The […]
Read the entire Soldiers’ Home Brief (pdf). Dignity Alliance MA has signed onto this brief. IMPOUNDED CASECOMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTSSUPREME JUDICIAL COURTHAMPDEN, SS. SJC NO. 13335APPEALS COURT NOS. 2022-P-0309, 2022-P-0321 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,Appellant,v.DAVID CLINTON AND BENNETT WALSH,Defendants-Appellees ON APPEAL FROM A JUDGMENT OF THE SUPERIOR COURT BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE LONG TERM CARE COMMUNITY COALITION, DIGNITY […]
Statement of Support Dignity Alliance Massachusetts and Its Partners Support Resolution of the Complaint Underlying the Class Action Suit filed by the Center for Public Representation Charging Massachusetts with Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Medicaid Act WHEREAS, Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices, written by the […]
Download the DignityMA Response on Nursing Facility Care (pdf) to the Alzheimer’s Association National State Assessment on Dementia Policies, as submitted 9/30/22 The Alzheimer’s Association is assessing dementia policies nationally and DignityMA provided the attached report. The following questions are answered by Dignity Alliance MA in the response document. Are quality care indicators used in […]
Report by Cheryl Fiandaca of the CBS Boston I-Team, September 15, 2022 Dignity Alliance MA members, Arlene Germain and Paul Lanzikos, are interviewed in this report. Watch the CBS I-Team video on Advocates say nursing home crisis could be looming.