Mass-ALFA’s Provider members from Assisted Living residences and Management and/or Parent Organizations met with Massachusetts Senators, Representatives and Staffers on June 28 to educate legislators about the importance of assisted living in the state. Undersecretary for the Executive Office of Elder Affairs Sandra Albright kicked off the day with a brief presentation on EOEA’s aging agenda.

Albright highlighted the importance of having an open dialogue with EOEA as well as the legislators in a residence’s district. While Mass-ALFA was not advocating for or against any pending legislation, the day provided a venue for Mass-ALFA’s members to start having conversations with their legislators. Developing this kind of relationship opens the door for future conversations about legislation that enables residences to best care for seniors.

Among the talking points members explored were: the number of residences living in assisted living across the state (over 13,000!), the number of direct care workers employed across the state (over 6,000!), and the cost of an assisted living residence compared to the cost of a nursing home residence (nearly half).

The most important talking point, however, was how valuable an asset assisted living residences are to communities, seniors and families. That was one message that was heard loud and clear.

Pictured above: Traditions of Wayland Executive Director Laura Crosby; Senator Gale Candaras; Mass-ALFA Manager of Marketing and Membership Lisa Natalicchio; and Notre Dame du Lac Executive Director Meg Coffin.