[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6189400,"mediaKeyId","5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894","parentId",5057388,"title","Advocates ask committee to close oversight gap for elders in custodial and nontraditional settings","audioSeconds",346,"startMs",3728000,"endMs",4074000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894&start=3728&end=4074","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894/thumbnail_3728000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189400/Massachusetts/Advocates-ask-committee-to-close-oversight-gap-for-elders-in-custodial-and-nontraditional-settings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189400-6d13729da4b8ed5309b0a780245a0170/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894173&Signature=X6OX1iqkSG1Ik-QPJnNwScjiLQREJ1zTLa1XndUXQqkzAhDG0~dw00CtNs-WFe5gwP6Md0-XSdpXs4Ox3ZNgkOZmVH3jdQiIIV22ObEPLffm45rE5TFTrjB6CMTvkLT8zX-82GYfo6K3URxeuhIQYB7uCdZQkuph007dbVhlrgMF33MBGnzerulyVBY7HAvZxUZLgKy66noHOb3C5weJz6V~RCGTYmq-pm60uNML9lPaUnlsWXoDJPwkxcdbOxPRyAbQPldpvUVn0ld7doUcJf4WmJu9NAyq~jWDKMr-yq4IhFGHYI6hVe1zgVqeFqIhud8DWvMhye35Zm7jTitwnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","The executive director of Prisoners Legal Services told the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs that current adult‑protective statutory boundaries leave a gap for elders living in custodial or “nontraditional” settings and urged passage of H.786/S.466 to expand elder affairs’ investigatory authority.

David Rainey said the Commonwealth’s adult protective services system currently divides jurisdiction among several agencies, and the way the statutes have been interpreted leaves elders in jails, prisons, certain treatment facilities, sober living homes and some group homes without a clear investigator when allegations of abuse or neglect arise. “If someone is 59 years old and being held in prison and is abused or neglected… DPPC has the authority to do an investigation. The moment they turn 1 year older, DPPC loses that authority, and now there is no entity that can do that same investigation,” Rainey said.

Rainey said mandated reporters (such as hospital staff or crisis centers) sometimes must break confidentiality to report suspected abuse, but there is no follow‑up investigatory authority for certain custodial settings. The bill would expand the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ jurisdiction to investigate negligence or abuse in those nontraditional custodial settings so vulnerable elders have access to protective services and oversight.

Committee members requested clarification about what counts as “nontraditional settings”; Rainey listed examples including prisons and jails, certain Department of Mental Health facilities, homeless shelters, sober living facilities with custodial elements and similar group homes. He characterized the gap as an unintended consequence of how jurisdictions were allocated when the protective services framework was organized.

The committee did not take a vote; witness testimony asked lawmakers to report the bill favorably so statutory language can be refined to ensure investigatory authority and mandated‑reporter pathways are clear.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee On Elder Affairs\t6/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Prisoners Legal Services told the committee H.786/S.466 would expand the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ investigatory jurisdiction so elders in custodial, group‑home and certain treatment settings are not left without adult‑protective oversight.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189405,"Providers, financial advisers back special commission to study long‑term care financing options",1345,3016000,4361000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894&start=3016&end=4361","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894/thumbnail_3016000.jpg","/articles/6189405/Massachusetts/Providers-financial-advisers-back-special-commission-to-study-longterm-care-financing-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189405-7ff13596a3991fd390d82da4297cdbeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894173&Signature=SrXPJ9S2rWiFzLDEiicmo~skNaIPhn0RhXZhCgs2RT~FEo0qQyaEhwOjWikKuIaHIyYS76V4-EVmdIAzUVhKWUlS6JLSOZTiWBFikB8UZQv5ybNmcA1ZzJX3IaqUyhM3nc3sUSPhLdmQmicWDfA8UM2QUGHCTAnNuxLsb00PjhrcPWTieeEMyEcGn8x696I6lWZRaCHeBEiV7FHzXXNcoPoYYoTHwPggV2vIa3KucVw9ErxHTPCuoPhmrt5g-mnFwtiGKBvCgY4xm9T6i2PP-7BASTbTy-EJWqfuLHwORqlPafOAkhbTDXVo2lmofB-ucMBtUG4kWLT2TZ30V9oJBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of provider associations, financial advisers and actuaries urged the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs to report H.792 and S.476 favorably, a bill to establish a special commission to study and develop options for a statewide long‑term services and supports (LTSS) benefits program.

Speakers from the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Massachusetts, LeadingAge Massachusetts and independent actuaries said Massachusetts needs a structured, stakeholder‑driven process to evaluate public and public‑private financing models for long‑term care. “We applaud Representative Stanley and Senator Jalen’s foresight in creating a commission to evaluate the possibility of a payroll‑deducted long‑term care insurance public option,” Adam Sachs, a financial adviser and NAIFA board member, said.

Panelists pointed to other states’ experiences — including Washington’s WA Cares program — and the recently completed Milliman actuarial study commissioned by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence as key inputs. Actuary Steve Schoenfeld and other witnesses emphasized that sustainable solutions will require public‑private collaboration: public funds alone are insufficient and private markets alone have not reached most middle‑income families.

Witnesses urged the commission to evaluate continuing incentives for private coverage, employer‑based approaches, worksite education for employees and mechanisms to avoid “fire‑sale” one‑time enrollment drives. Josh O’Gara, immediate past president of NAIFA Massachusetts, noted the economic ripple effects of long‑term care on employers and families: “It’s not only the people that need care that are being impacted, it’s also their children and grandchildren who often become the caregivers.”

LeadingAge Massachusetts’ president, Alyssa Sherman, said the association supports the commission and praised the state’s procurement of an actuarial study. “This legislation will bring a coalition of stakeholders together to review the results of the actuarial study and look at different options, including public‑private options,” Sherman said.

Committee members stressed the need for broad stakeholder engagement and iterative design. No formal committee vote was recorded at the hearing; proponents urged the committee to move the commission bill forward so detailed design work can proceed based on actuarial findings and stakeholder input.","Nonprofit providers, insurance advisers and actuaries urged passage of H.792/S.476 to create a special commission to evaluate statewide long‑term services and supports financing, citing lessons from other states and the Milliman actuarial study.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189410,"Rep. Altrino urges creation of independent Office of Older Adult Advocate to coordinate services",508,530000,1038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894&start=530&end=1038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894/thumbnail_530000.jpg","/articles/6189410/Massachusetts/Rep-Altrino-urges-creation-of-independent-Office-of-Older-Adult-Advocate-to-coordinate-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189410-99a146efae40e21ead502f11d8e30741/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894173&Signature=Xh3MPCxJ~Y2ZGTsRZ3RDwRt4E0UhXyqumBapyB5VTYx1lc2KZ0qMpgzWDxZxBGl2oAb3bnsnBd1GVCqs-hV2Bx4hqMot~aNvTZ4tgUyWkX7R6lEUbUCe0fgHP4RWO1CGHukUsLGOAvO8W3JE8oSjkQeWd1nevevTKm4~lCNpdLoNLRLOQj7dcMUiPhWc0OBIx~CVn-LLrhSrp9tKlQ-9p6zIwW5~zxTZDZe9pGN45Iv43ID-ya2UkcvUtAAE-eRjvd8S61EPv5gJYCo2UTpyE0tEdv3zKUzNgGi~KI6OSN97aaq9yc3QpvjvmiFLniE~tN1eeVBSEcTp-loRwvvGuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Steve Altrino told the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs that H.796, a bill to establish an Office of Older Adult Advocate, would give older Massachusetts residents “an independent person” to coordinate services and highlight system fragmentation.

Altrino said the advocate would be modeled on the Office of the Veterans’ Advocate and would not duplicate existing secretariats. “Think of the Office of the veteran advocates. It provides independence. It provides transparency and accountability without duplicating agencies’ work,” Altrino said, adding the position would help constituent services and policy‑makers identify duplications, gaps and opportunities across housing, health, labor and other secretariats.

The proposal would create an independent office to receive complaints, coordinate oversight across agencies, and make policy recommendations. Altrino suggested the advocate could report to the legislature or the governor, subject to statutory drafting, and said funding and staffing levels would need to be worked into the bill.

Senators and representatives on the panel expressed support for strengthening advocacy for older adults and asked whether the Secretariat for Elder Affairs should have a formal cabinet seat; Altrino agreed that elevating the secretary’s role could complement the advocate but said the proposed office should remain independent to provide an impartial policy voice.

Committee members asked about funding; Altrino said “that we would have to work into the bill” and acknowledged cost questions are a common concern. No committee vote was recorded; the testimony was presented as part of the hearing on aging‑related legislation and proponents asked the committee to report the bill favorably to allow further drafting.","Representative Steve Altrino testified for H.796 to establish an independent advocate office to help seniors navigate fragmented state services and advise policymakers on gaps across secretariats.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6189415,"Lawmakers, advocates push updated Alzheimer’s bill to expand training, statewide coordination",0,152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894&start=152&end=152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057388-28cc6d6c8579464916f90804512ae894/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6189415/Massachusetts/Lawmakers-advocates-push-updated-Alzheimers-bill-to-expand-training-statewide-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189415-cb4c6f38028afcb0091efe7eed7e5d1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894173&Signature=JUngu2raY2mkMH-wPcuyi03-H3dg4FGSY-cJkgvUB4mI0r30hJg2-vnbnr7mM-68DxhEG3FRBy66Y5hNBEXOhB8VkhbLcb2FBlmMArLZnBFb9Vf7IZcdmS9z62~KFXf0myzlySQYKARK4nZ2f7jplCf9b3z9hAYn0jMZgSCA0TIi~IyjTny1Utvr6Xue31SVO1JiSZUg5pbt5CV-4RozC8bnuZlHoTt0wdiKRagFROCSGjJgyvr8YJplg3e-lBTTCK8nTnqWF62SUEtk31gzATZSKObQDMPWkmSqWLPjIe97GiMEqGfny6u-ZSrxaWnbFFnvZ~CMBf2cbYXnau4d0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State lawmakers and a coalition of health and aging organizations urged the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs on Tuesday to advance H.769 and S.468, “an act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia,” arguing the measures update Massachusetts policy to address rising case counts and new treatment options.

Representative Danielle Gregoire, sponsor of earlier 2018 Alzheimer’s legislation, told the committee she returned “to the table with a new proposal” after identifying gaps in care that persist since the 2018 Omnibus Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Act. “We decided… it was time to include fire, police and EMTs in that training,” Gregoire said, describing provisions that would expand required dementia training beyond health professionals to first responders and establish a statewide dementia services coordinator.

The bill would also require improved discharge planning for patients with dementia and expand patient and caregiver rights in hospital settings, proponents said. “Caregivers are not visitors. Caregivers are actually a part of the care team,” Dr. Maura Kennedy, division chief of geriatric emergency medicine at Mass General Brigham, said, describing a case in which a patient’s granddaughter on speaker phone calmed a distressed patient and likely prevented an unnecessary intubation.

Advocacy groups emphasized the public‑health and cost rationale for the bill. Susan Ann Koviak, vice president of programs and services at the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter, said more than 135,000 people currently live with Alzheimer’s in Massachusetts and noted projections that prevalence will rise. Catherine O’Malley, a senior policy analyst at Boston University School of Public Health, said earlier diagnosis and public awareness can lower costs and improve treatment outcomes because some new therapies are effective only in early disease stages.

Specific proposals discussed by witnesses included:
- Mandatory dementia training for law enforcement and other first responders (testimony described a model of at least two hours in recruit training and one hour of biennial in‑service training).
- Creation of a dementia services coordinator position in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to centralize strategy and data collection.
- A statewide public‑awareness campaign led by the Department of Public Health and enhanced dementia‑specific data reporting, including racial and ethnic disparities.
- Expansion of dementia care coordination as a benefit available through Senior Care Options (SCO) plans and One Care for dually eligible and disabled beneficiaries.
- Incentives to expand the geriatrics workforce, including loan repayment for geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists.

Law enforcement and public‑safety representatives endorsed the training requirement. Tim King, in‑house counsel for the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, said standardized training would equip officers with de‑escalation techniques, communication tools and local caregiver protocols and could reduce unnecessary use of force. John Nelson, first vice for the police dispatch union, added that training is also an officer safety measure.

Family advocates delivered personal testimony about the stakes of the hospital‑visitation and discharge provisions. Judy Johansen and Leslie Doyle recounted episodes in which restrictive visiting rules or lack of a caregiver at the bedside led to traumatic restraint, medication administration without family consent, or preventable complications. “Caregivers give voice to those who have lost theirs and actually improve care,” Johansen said.

Speakers acknowledged implementation questions remain. Witnesses said some training curricula already exist and are offered at no cost by the Alzheimer’s Association; funding sources for new positions and program expansion were “to be worked out,” and HIPAA and other confidentiality rules will need careful handling in discharge and caregiver‑access provisions.

No formal committee vote or directive was recorded during the hearing; most witnesses urged the committee to report the bills favorably so stakeholder negotiations and technical drafting can continue.

Supporters asked the legislature to build on the 2018 law and to prepare the Commonwealth for “a new era” of Alzheimer’s care as treatments and diagnostic approaches evolve.","Legislators and health, public‑safety and advocacy groups urged support for H.769/S.468, which would expand dementia training to first responders, create a dementia services coordinator, strengthen hospital discharge protections and add dementia care coordination benefits to certain plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advocates ask committee to close oversight gap for elders in custodial and nontraditional settings

Providers, financial advisers back special commission to study long‑term care financing options

Rep. Altrino urges creation of independent Office of Older Adult Advocate to coordinate services

Lawmakers, advocates push updated Alzheimer’s bill to expand training, statewide coordination