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| 麻州長Maura Healey簽署行政命令。（州長辦公室提供） |
(Boston Orange 摘譯)麻州州長奚莉(Maura Healey) 今日（5月8日）簽署行政命令，發佈『對年齡友善州』計劃，成立州長的“對年齡友善政策及做法顧問小組”，將在收集人們的回饋意見後，制定麻州各局處改善服務耆英措施大綱，要把麻州變成全美最佳退休州。
麻州州長奚莉和副州長Kim Driscoll，老年及獨立廳（Aging & Independence）廳長Robin Lipson 今日聯袂探訪普利茅斯積極生活中心 （Plymouth Center for Active Living），討論全州各社區可以如何實施新的麻州計劃，並公佈未來5年的麻州對年長者和失智症患者友善措失計劃-『重新想像老齡化2030: 麻州計劃（ReiMAgine Aging 2030: The Massachusetts Plan）』。
麻州有大約170萬居民年齡在60歲以上，佔全州人口約四分之一，麻州政府因而致力研議讓老年人可以在麻州生活得更舒適的各種相關措施。
麻州早在2019年就制定有相關計劃， 2024年還舉辦了一系列的社區公聽會，以了解耆英居民看未來時的優先考慮。
麻州政府從系列公聽會整理出來的為耆英服務6大工作目標，包括“經濟機會與安全“，要確保全麻州每個老年人都能因應各自的基本財務需求; “人與社區”，讓老年人和家庭藉由和社區有著有意義聯繫，成為有能力的做決定者; “場所與空間”，通過自然的和建造的環境，加強老人家的移動性和宜居性; “健康與福祉”，讓老人家享有最佳健康及高品質生活; “所有政策中的老齡化”，在所有的地方，區域及全州政策中考慮對老年人的影響;“信息、溝通與框架”，使信息易於獲取，並重新定義老齡化以重視老年人。
奚莉政府強調優先投資在讓老人家們生活更可負擔，健康及福祉得以改善等方面，包括奚莉州長簽署了20年來第一次的減稅法案，倍增耆英的抵減稅額，讓符合資格的耆英們今年可以領回2730元。這一減稅法案還包括這世紀以來最慷慨的兒童及家庭睡抵減，讓每個家庭享有扶養一人，包括65歲以上老人，可減稅440元的優惠。
奚莉州長簽署的另一法案，提議把老人事務廳改名為老年及獨立廳，以更好的反應麻州老年人的價值。
奚莉州長把當志工耆英可享有的房地產稅最高減免額從1500元提高到2000元ㄡ
從奚莉州長上任以來，她和州議員們每年都增加耆英委員會經費。
奚莉州長擴大醫療保險儲蓄計劃(Medicare Saving Program)的資格限制，以容許更多耆英居民可以享有福利，在醫療保險上節省更多開銷。新指南允許更多麻州居民註冊參加計劃，每年節省可高打3000元。
今年稍早，麻州政府宣佈了580萬元補助款，擴大耆英，殘障人士及低收入個人的出行能力。許多收受補助者是耆英委員會，以及/或者其應服務切入點。
Governor Healey Signs Executive Order, Releases Updated State Plan for Supporting Older Adults in Massachusetts
The Executive Order directs all offices across the executive branch to identify areas where age-friendly policies and practices can be embedded in their work to improve the health and wellbeing of aging adults in Massachusetts. The Executive Order also establishes a Governor’s Advisory Group on Age-Friendly Policies and Practices to gather stakeholder and expert input on relevant areas such as transportation, housing, regional planning, economic security, retirement and other issues affecting older adults and aging populations.
“Massachusetts isn't just the best state to go to school or start your career – it’s also the best state to retire and live your happiest,
healthiest life. But we know that far too many of our older residents are facing challenges, especially with affordability, housing and health care,” said Governor Maura Healey. “To help ensure older adults in Massachusetts can live longer, healthier lives on their own terms, we are taking steps to make Massachusetts even more age- and dementia-friendly. We want all of our residents, as well as those who are making decisions about where to spend their retirement, to know that we are working every day to make life easier and more affordable for people of all ages.”
“1.7 million adults over the age of 60 call Massachusetts home — nearly a quarter of our population,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to making our state more affordable, competitive and equitable, and a key piece of that strategy is to empower our residents to make the best decisions for themselves when it comes to work, retirement and living a happy and healthy life right here in Massachusetts.”
Additionally, Governor Healey today unveiled the state’s updated age- and dementia-friendly state plan, which provides a framework for both communities and state agencies to guide their age- and dementia-friendly actions for the next five years. “ReiMAgine Aging 2030: The Massachusetts Plan” articulates the state’s vision and aspirations for growing older in Massachusetts. The plan, which includes an in-depth analysis of the state’s aging population, identifies challenges older residents face when aging in Massachusetts. Additionally, the plan outlines strategies and specific actions that state agencies, local communities, community-based organizations, and the private sector can implement to ensure Massachusetts continues to be a great place for everyone to grow old.
The plan has been updated from the previous 2019 plan to reflect the most current priorities, needs, and aspirations of Massachusetts communities. This refreshed plan was developed with significant community and stakeholder input. Throughout 2024, the state hosted a series of community listening sessions to understand our residents’ priorities for the future. The following goals emerged from these sessions:
Economic Opportunity & Security: Every older individual across Massachusetts can meet their basic financial needs
People & Communities: Older adults and families are empowered decision makers with meaningful connections to their communities
Places & Spaces: Natural and built environments enhance older adults’ mobility and livability
Health & Wellness: Older adults have optimal health for a high quality of life
Aging in All Policies: All local, regional, and statewide policies consider the implications for older adults
Information, Communication & Framing: Information is broadly accessible and reframes aging to value older adults
“Since Massachusetts released its first age-friendly plan five years ago, the Commonwealth – and country – have changed significantly, and some of the needs and goals of our older residents have changed with it,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “As we spoke to older adults to create this plan, we learned what matters most to today’s residents: serving them in their communities whenever possible, clear and effective communication, preventative care and mental health resources. This new plan is a guide to help us accomplish that.”
“This plan is a fantastic resource for our municipalities and regional agencies to refer to when applying for age-friendly grants,” said Aging and Independence Secretary Robin Lipson. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration and legislature continue to increase investments to Councils on Aging and senior centers, enabling our communities to innovate and expand their age-friendly actions. Our hope is that this plan will be used as a roadmap to guide these projects.”
"With 47% of Plymouth’s population aged 50 and older—compared to approximately 38% statewide—it is essential that we remain dedicated to initiatives that support older adults in our community," states Plymouth Town Manager Derek Brindisi. "We appreciate the ongoing commitment of the Healey-Driscoll administration to fostering age-friendly policies that enhance the quality of life for Plymouth’s seniors."
The purpose of this plan is to align the partners around a shared vision and provide a framework for our efforts over the next five years (2025-2030). A full digital version of the plan was also launched today and can be accessed here.
Earlier this year, Massachusetts was named the top destination for older adults moving to a new state specifically for retirement in 2024.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has prioritized investments to make life more affordable for and improve the health and wellbeing of
has older residents, including:
Governor Healey signed the state’s first tax cuts in 20 years, which included doubling the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. Under this expansion, seniors were eligible to receive up to $2,730 this year. The tax cuts package also created the most generous Child and Family Tax Credit in the country, which provides families with $440 per dependent, including those who are 65 and older.
Governor Healey signed legislation that she had proposed 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.
Governor Healey increased from $1,500 to $2,000 the maximum property tax abatement available to seniors who perform volunteer services.
Each year since Governor Healey took office, she and the Legislature have increased funding to Councils on Aging.
Governor Healey expanded Medicare Saving Program eligibility to allow more older residents to take advantage of benefits and save money on health care costs. The new guidelines allow for more Massachusetts residents to enroll in the program and save up to $3,000 per year.
Earlier this year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $5.8M in grants to expand mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. Many grant recipients were Councils on Aging and/or Aging Services Access Points.
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