The Healey-Driscoll Administration just cut the ribbon on a hefty $2.4 million grant package, aimed at bolstering day programs for the Bay State's senior citizens. The grant, coming from the American Rescue Plan Act's Home and Community-Based Services, targets 20 organizations that reach out to older Massachusetts residents in need, particularly those grappling with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The move aligns with the Administration's broader mission to advance health equity in the Commonwealth.

Thanks to this funding infusion, a diverse array of community outfits from rural to urban hubs will be able to expand or start up day programs in multiple languages, including Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Spanish, and American Sign Language. "We’re proud to support these organizations that are doing incredible work across our state to serve older adults, especially those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s and related dementias," said Governor Maura Healey, as per a statement by mass.gov.

Keen on improving living conditions for elders, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added, "I am so excited to see these grants support a growing network of age- and dementia-friendly communities that will enable our aging residents to remain in the community they have lived for years," according to mass.gov. The emphasis is clear: keep seniors engaged and cared for within the fabric of their longtime neighborhoods.

On the ground, these grants are a lifeline for organizations that saw their doors shuttered during the Covid-19 pandemic. A variety of recipients will receive grants ranging from $15,000 to $300,000 to improve local services for seniors and their caregivers. Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh captured the sentiment: "Social and Supportive Day programs can have so many positive impacts on the individual and their family caregivers." Penalized by the pandemic's isolation, the rebirth of these programs signifies a return to community-based care, as reported by mass.gov.

With an eye on service enrichment and tackling the unmet needs of historic communities, the funding will fuel projects set to kick off later this month, spanning through March 2025. Among the beneficiaries are the Alzheimer's Family Support Center and the Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, assertively weaving a stronger safety net for Massachusetts' older residents.