Mass Aging Access

06/02/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the legislators who filed budget amendments to strengthen services for older adults across Massachusetts.

We are especially grateful to Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Paul Donato for championing additional funding for the Senior Nutrition Program. We also want to recognize Representative Tom Stanley and Senator Pat Jehlen, steadfast advocates for older adults whose leadership continues to make a difference for aging services across the Commonwealth.

Along with Senator Robyn Kennedy, Representative Pat Duffy, Representative Christine Barber, and other legislative partners, they have helped advance priorities that support nutrition services, Medicare counseling, housing supports, care coordination, and home care services.

As the FY27 budget heads to Conference Committee, we're asking advocates to help protect the Senate's proposed $500,000 increase for the Senior Nutrition Program, bringing total funding to $13.9 million. Demand continues to grow, and these services are more important than ever.

Please take a moment to use our Take Action form and ask your legislators to support this critical funding:

We need your help to improve the lives of older adults in Massachusetts Take Action on: Share Your Story With Us JTNDYSUyMGlkJTNEJTIyc3RvcnklMjIlM0UlM0MlMk ...

05/27/2026

Conference sponsorship is now open for our 2026 conference: Ready for What’s Next: Practical Approaches for Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Opportunities!

Each year, hundreds of ASAP/AAA staff and aging services partners from across Massachusetts come together for learning, collaboration, and connection. Sponsorship is a great opportunity to connect with professionals across the aging services network while supporting an event focused on improving services for older adults and caregivers.

We’re opening sponsorship a little earlier this year, with attendee registration coming in late June.

Learn more by clicking the link below!

Ready for What’s Next: Practical approaches for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

05/19/2026

Discover more stories from caregivers, consumers, and staff: https://agingaccess.org/value-of-asaps/
Hear what the community is saying:
“I deliver Meals on Wheels. Have developed really important relationships with my "customers." for many I and my colleagues may be the only daily contact they have with other human beings. Set the welcome meal aside, this is a safety, health, and security issue for our Seniors. Please ensure proper funding for this program.” – Bill H.
“We have volunteered to deliver meals on wheels to seniors in Sharon for more than six years. We would deliver meals to the houses of these elder residents of Sharon. For many it would be their only interaction with someone for days.” -- William M.

05/13/2026

What a day at the State House.

Last week’s Older Adult Lobby Day brought together older adults, caregivers, aging services staff, and advocates from across Massachusetts to speak up for the programs and services that help people age with dignity in their communities. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day such a success.

We were especially honored to present Senator Patricia Jehlen with MAA’s Champion Award in recognition of her longstanding support for aging services and older adults across the Commonwealth.

One of the day’s most memorable moments came when the entire room sang “Happy Birthday” to Sarah, who celebrated her 99th birthday by coming to the State House to advocate alongside us. Her presence was a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

If you were unable to attend, the event was livestreamed by Massachusetts Councils on Aging and can still be viewed on their page.

Thank you to our partners for helping make the event possible:

🔹AARP
🔹Massachusetts Councils on Aging
🔹Massachusetts Senior Action Council
🔹Older Adult Behavioral Health Network

And thank you to our sponsors for their support:

🔹Point32Health Foundation
🔹Massachusetts Councils on Aging
🔹AARP
🔹MassPACE
🔹Heart to Home Meals

We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s Lobby Day such a meaningful and inspiring event.

05/12/2026

Discover more stories from caregivers, consumers, and staff: https://agingaccess.org/value-of-asaps/

Caregiver testimonial: “I am a Family Caregiver Support Specialist and provide counselling, resources and referrals to Caregivers on Cape Cod and the Islands. Most of my Caregivers are struggling with not only caring for their elder loved ones but also have concerns about maintaining a viable work schedule. At least 45% are caring for a loved one who has dementia. In several instances, we are seeing Grandparents struggling to care for their grandchildren at a stage of their lives when they could use support and services for themselves. Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands attempt to provide respite for the caregivers in an environment which has scarce funding available in the form of stipends. We provide support and guidance for the tough decisions that caregivers often find themselves. We have a 93-year-old husband who is caring for his wife who is 87 and suffers from dementia. The husband fortunately is sound and in good health but is overwhelmed with his duties. Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands is his only source of support. He has told us that he has several people in his life, all with dementia, who, to use his phrase are "...dropping like flies", thus shrinking their circle of friends and family supports. He relies on bi-weekly check-ins with our organization which he considers a ‘lifeline’.” – Donald L.

05/06/2026

A powerful day of advocacy at the State House! Hundreds of older adults and advocates from across Massachusetts came together to speak up for the programs and services that keep people healthy, connected, and living safely at home.
Thank you to everyone - more photos coming soon!

05/05/2026

Discover more stories from caregivers, consumers, and staff: https://agingaccess.org/value-of-asaps/

05/04/2026

Reminder: Older Adult Lobby Day is happening this Wednesday at the State House! We’re looking forward to bringing together older adults, advocates, caregivers, and aging services professionals from across Massachusetts for a day of connection, civic engagement, and conversations with legislators about issues affecting older adults and the aging services network. We hope to see you there!
https://agingaccess.org/lobby-day/

Thank you to our event partners: Massachusetts Councils on Aging, AARP Massachusetts, Older Adult Behavioral Health Network, and Mass Senior Action Council!

And thank you to our sponsors: Massachusetts Councils on Aging, Point32Health Foundation, AARP Massachusetts, Mass PACE and Heart to Home Meals USA - we couldn't do this without your support!

Mass Aging Access Older Adult Lobby Day Wednesday, May 6, 2026 The Great Hall at the Massachusetts State House Hosted by Mass Aging Access, in partnership w ...

04/22/2026

On May 6, older adults and aging services professionals and advocates from across Massachusetts will gather at the State House to share their stories, connect with policymakers, and advocate for the services that support independence and well-being. Lobby Day is a powerful reminder that these voices—together—make a difference.

We’re looking forward to a strong turnout. And for those who want to support the effort, sponsorships continue to help make participation possible for even more advocates. Event and sponsorship details are available on our website: https://agingaccess.org/lobby-day/

A huge thank you to our current sponsors: Point32Health Foundation, Massachusetts Councils on Aging, Heart to Home Meals USA, and Mass PACE

Mass Aging Access Older Adult Lobby Day Wednesday, May 6, 2026 The Great Hall at the Massachusetts State House Hosted by Mass Aging Access, in partnership w ...