BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration filed legislation 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. 

 

This timing is part of the celebration of Older Americans Month, which takes place in May.  

 

The proposed name change is part of the agency's ongoing efforts to expand its reach and ensure older people throughout Massachusetts can access needed information, services, and support through every stage of aging.   

 

The name was selected following significant research that included focus groups, surveys, and conversations with older adults, caregivers, service providers, and advocacy organizations. This research revealed that aging adults do not connect with the term "elder," and often associate the term with someone who is at the end of their life. Instead, residents prefer neutral terms such as "aging" and "older people." Additionally, research showed older adults deeply value the ability to maintain their independence through the aging journey. From these findings, the agency developed a new name to more accurately reflect its programs and services, and better connect with eligible adults. 

 

"The Executive Office of Elder Affairs was established more than 50 years ago and was one of the nation's first state agencies dedicated to addressing the needs of older people," said Governor Maura Healey. "Today, the agency has evolved to offer programs and services that support 1.7 million older residents and nearly 1 million family caregivers. Our administration is committed to meeting the changing needs of today's older adults, and I am thrilled that this name change better reflects those that we serve."  

 

In addition, the legislation replaces outdated language across state statutes, such as "elder," "elderly person(s)," and "handicapped" with "older adult(s)" and "adult with a disability." The new legislation also incorporates gender-neutral language. 

 

Modernizing the agency's name will reduce stigma around growing older, normalize aging as a natural process, and emphasize that older people value independence and self-determination. 

 

To usher in a new, more expansive, model for older adults aging in community, the agency also unveiled a new mission, vision, and tagline: 

 

Mission: Together, we support aging adults to live and thrive safely and independently – how and where they want. 

 

Vision: We envision a state in which every person has the tools, resources, and support they need to fully embrace the aging experience.  

 

Tagline: Your partners in aging.