Gov. Maura Healey signs executive order to embed age‑friendly policies, renames Elder Affairs office

Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order at an event in Plymouth this morning directing state agencies to identify where age‑friendly policies and practices can be embedded and launching an updated age- and dementia-friendly state plan called "Reimagine Aging," officials said.

The move, Healey said, establishes a governor’s advisory group on age‑friendly policies and practices and renames the Executive Office of Elder Affairs as the Executive Office of Aging and Independence. "I'm signing an executive order today," Healey said, adding the measure is intended to help state agencies think about transportation, housing, education and the delivery of health care for older residents.

Why it matters: Plymouth officials and state leaders emphasized that Massachusetts is becoming older and that local services must expand to meet demand. Derek Randizzi, town manager for Plymouth, told the assembled officials that 42 percent of the town’s population is 55 and older and that figure is projected to reach 50 percent in the next five years. Randizzi said the town has expanded services and created a local health and human services department to respond to those needs.

Most important details first: Healey said the executive order will require state offices to identify where age‑friendly policies can be "embedded" in their work and that a statewide advisory group will gather input on topics including transportation, housing and health care. "We want to improve the health and well‑being of everyone in this state," Healey said. She also announced the state plan Reimagine Aging, which officials described as an updated age and dementia friendly plan built from community input.

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and state officials described the plan as community‑driven. "Our age friendly state plan was built on community input," Driscoll said, noting nine listening sessions and nearly a thousand participants across the state who attended or completed surveys. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh and Secretary for Aging and Independence Robin Lipson emphasized the administration’s intent to coordinate across multiple state departments rather than confine the work to a single office.

"There's not one idea in this plan that came from a corner office on Beacon Hill," Lipson said, describing Reimagine Aging as a compilation of ideas raised by communities, service providers and residents.

Local context: Officials used the Plymouth Center for Active Living, known as Cal, as an example of an established local hub for older residents. Michelle Bridal, Plymouth’s commissioner of health and human services, described Cal as “the heartbeat of Plymouth,” and said the center offers more than 300 programs, has roughly 16,000 members and more than 300 volunteers. Resident Joanne Labelle gave a personal account of ongoing support from Cal volunteers during a medical emergency, illustrating the center’s community role.

Budget and next steps: State and local speakers referenced funding and programs tied to the initiative. Sen. Dylan Fernandez noted a budget amendment that would add money for rides to support the Center for Active Living; he described transportation funding as especially important in a town that covers more than 100 square miles. The executive order itself directs agencies to identify where age‑friendly practices can be integrated; officials said the new advisory group and the Reimagine Aging plan will guide implementation. No additional formal votes were taken at the event.

What the executive order does and does not do: Officials said the order sets direction and creates structures — an advisory group and the updated plan — but it does not by itself appropriate new statewide funding. Specific budget actions remain subject to separate legislative or budgetary processes, and local speakers pointed to pending budget amendments and grant partnerships to expand services such as transportation and home‑modification programs.

Voices at the event: In addition to Healey and Driscoll, speakers included Secretary Walsh; Secretary Lipson; Derek Randizzi, Plymouth town manager; Michelle Bridal, Plymouth commissioner of health and human services; Jen Benson and Antron Watson of AARP Massachusetts; Sen. Dylan Fernandez; and Rep. Michelle Badger. AARP representatives highlighted the organization’s Age‑Friendly States and Communities network and described the state plan as a "plan of action." "This plan is from them," Jen Benson said of community participants.

Background and broader frame: Massachusetts was described by officials as an early participant in the AARP age‑friendly network; state leaders cited that network and the listening sessions as the basis for the Reimagine Aging plan. Officials said the administration has already doubled a senior tax credit and is pursuing housing and other measures that they say will help older residents remain in their communities.

Looking ahead: State officials said they will begin collecting input for the governor’s advisory group and will publish the Reimagine Aging plan online. Local leaders said they will continue partnering with state agencies and nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to seek implementation support and funding for programs such as transportation, mental‑health services placed at senior centers, and home modification to help residents age in place.