2024 Year-in-Review

Dear Members & Friends,

As we turn the page on 2024, we want to take a moment to reflect upon the past year and thank our members for their individual and collective efforts in support of LeadingAge Massachusetts’ mission to expand the world of possibilities for aging. 2024 represented a milestone year as LeadingAge Massachusetts celebrated its 70th Annual Meeting of the Membership and seven decades of supporting not-for-profit providers of aging services to meet the needs and preferences of older adults to age with dignity and respect. During our 70th Annual Meeting, held in October, members had a chance to view a short video highlighting the impact that LeadingAge MA and our members have had on the field of aging services for 70 years. If you didn’t get a chance to see the video when we shared it in October, you can watch it here.

The past year was filled with incredible achievements in advocacy, availability of new member tools and resources and lots of opportunities for shared learning and peer support. Below, you can check out some of the highlights from our work together over the past year. You can also read a summary of achievements from our national partner, LeadingAge, here.

We’d like to thank our Annual Business Partners for their very generous support. We would also like to thank our very dedicated Board of Trustees, whose vision, energy and commitment ensure that our work reflects the evolving needs of our members and the older adults they serve. Finally, thank you again to all of our members for partnering with us in this critical work. Don’t hesitate to reach out if we can be helpful in any way.

The LeadingAge Massachusetts Team:

Elissa Sherman, President

Sarah Lacasse, Vice President

Jeanmarie Roberts, Membership Coordinator

Leading Through Advocacy

In 2024, LeadingAge Massachusetts’ advocacy efforts were dominated by two historic and significant pieces of legislation that ultimately became law. Highlighting our respected and influential role, LeadingAge Massachusetts’ president, Elissa Sherman was asked to provide remarks at the ceremonial bill signing of Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024, known as the Long Term Care bill, the most comprehensive piece of legislation to impact long term care in decades. The new law seeks to strengthen the long-term care sector in a variety of ways including through reform of licensure and suitability, workforce development provisions, new regulations for small house nursing homes, targeted rate add-ons, provisions addressing prior authorization to post-acute care, training on LGBTQ and more. The new law also makes changes to the Assisted Living statute, including allowing Assisted Living Residences to offer Basic Health Services. The legislation also establishes a number of task forces and commissions that LeadingAge Massachusetts is named to.

The Affordable Homes Act, a historic $5.16 billion housing bond bill, was also signed into law by Governor Healey this summer at a bill signing ceremony at LeadingAge MA member, Gold Meir House. In addition to making significant investments towards production and preservation of affordable housing, the legislation includes a range of new policies aimed at addressing the housing affordability crisis in the Commonwealth. LeadingAge Massachusetts was also named as a member of a special commission on creating affordable and healthy senior housing, established as part of the legislation.

In addition to these successes, LeadingAge MA and our members spent much of our time in 2024 voicing concern about the impact of the CMS staffing standards rule. Members shared their experiences and concern regarding workforce shortages and the ability to meet the CMS standards with members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation during visits to Capitol Hill in April.

Celebrating the 2023-2024 Leadership Academy Graduates

In 2024, LeadingAge Massachusetts proudly recognized the 23 graduates of the 2023-2024 Leadership Academy. These talented professionals demonstrated exceptional growth and a steadfast dedication to advancing aging services.

This program was made possible by the generous sponsorship of CLA, the expertise of our instructor Steve Colwell, and the support of our hosting member organizations.

2023-2024 Leadership Academy Graduates:

• Elizabeth Bogyo – Good Shepherd, Director of Finance

• Michi Boddupalli – Rogerson House Assisted Living, Executive Director

• Jacob Brown – Marillac Residence, Executive Director

• Rebecca Cohen – Lasell Village, Social Worker

• Amanda Condrin – Edelweiss Village, Associate Executive Director

• Jennifer Faro – Edgewood, Community Engagement Director

• Katia Fearebay – Orchard Cove, Housekeeping Manager

• Patrick Goyau – NewBridge on the Charles, Sous Chef

• Emmaline Horne – Carleton-Willard Village, Director of HC Activities

• Sally Little – Legacy Lifecare, Dietary Manager

• Kevin Lowre – Rogerson Communities, Director of IT Operations and Support

• Bianca Medeiros – Youville House/Youville Place, Chief Operating Officer

• Alicia Merola – Loomis Communities, Assisted Living Director

• Victoria Penek – HSL Adult Day Health, Site Manager

• Brian Puleo – The Overlook, Regional Director

• Taylor Puuri – CLA, Manager

• Wanda O'Connor – Overlook Health & Rehabilitation Center, Facilities Manager

• Michael O'Brien – South Cove Manor, Director of Nursing

• Alicia Smith – Briarwood CCRC, Assistant Director of Dining Services

• Will Smalley – Mount Pleasant Home, Director of Resident Services

• Rose Shapiro – Jack Satter House, Director of Resident Services

• Christina Tuohey – Ruth's House Assisted Living, Executive Director

• Miyoung Yang – Brookhaven at Lexington, Director of Community Living