Mass-ALA members, supporters, and advocates gather with lawmakers and staff, seek advancement of key legislative goals include expanding the Frail Elder Waiver and clarifying assisted living classifications to protect delivery of care
MAY 1, 2025 (BOSTON, MA) – The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA) hosted its annual Advocacy Day today on Beacon Hill, alongside its members, partners, and advocates. This event brought together assisted living professionals, residents, and advocates to engage directly with legislators and build support for critical legislation that ensures older adults in Massachusetts continue to benefit from the unique care and independence offered by assisted living residences. 
Advocacy Day provided an opportunity to thank legislators for their support of recent policy advancements, including the passage of An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care that made basic health services permanent in assisted living, while advocating for expanded access through the Frail Elder Waiver and clarifying the legal classification of assisted living residences. Participants shared personal stories – both from resident and provider perspectives – that illustrate how assisted living transforms lives by fostering community, connection, and fulfillment for older adults.
“Our annual Advocacy Day is an opportunity to highlight the incredible impact assisted living has on the lives of older adults across Massachusetts. By sharing personal stories and advocating for policies like the Frail Elder Waiver expansion, we can ensure that more individuals have access to the care, community, and independence that assisted living provides,” said Mass-ALA President and CEO Brian Doherty. “We are truly thankful for our supporters in the State House and our members. Together, we can work with legislators to strengthen this vital care model and meet the growing needs of our aging population.”
“Nurses in assisted living residences have been safely and conveniently providing basic health services for many years, and we are proud of the work done last year to pass An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care and make these services permanent for residents,” said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen. “Assisted living is a key part of the continuum of care for older adults in the Commonwealth, and I am also very glad to sponsor legislation again this session to expand affordable assisted living options through the Frail Elder Waiver.”
“In my experience, the most effective way to pass legislation addressing the issues our aging population is facing is to work collaboratively with advocates like you and my colleagues in the legislature. I’m grateful to Mass-ALA and its members for their partnership over the years. Their work on developing the current Frail Elder Waiver bill demonstrates their commitment to making this critical part of the Commonwealth’s continuum of care more affordable and accessible,” said Representative Thomas Stanley.
During Advocacy Day meetings with legislators, Mass-ALA members focused on three critical policy priorities:
- Thanking Legislators for Recent Health Services Legislation: Participants expressed gratitude for the passage of An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care, which allows assisted living residences to provide basic health services directly through assisted living nurses, highlighting the importance of ensuring appropriate implementation of these new regulations without introducing additional legislative requirements at this time.
- Expanding Access through the Frail Elder Waiver: Mass-ALA urged legislators to co-sponsor SB 474 / HB 791: An Act to Expand Access to Assisted Living through the Frail Elder Waiver, which would make assisted living more affordable for eligible older adults by covering a portion of their fees. Expanding this waiver would allow more individuals to benefit from the unique care environment offered by assisted living residences.
- Clarifying Assisted Living Classification: Advocates pushed for H.770: An Act Clarifying the Classification of Assisted Living Residences, which protects assisted living’s hybrid model by ensuring it is not governed by landlord/tenant laws that complicate care delivery and negatively impact residents’ experiences.
“Assisted living is about more than providing care—it’s about creating vibrant communities where older adults can thrive with dignity, independence, and meaningful social connections,” said Wendy Nowokunski, Chair of the Mass-ALA Board of Directors, and Co-Founder & President of the Northbridge Companies. “Advocacy Day gives us an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and highlight the full spectrum of benefits that the hybrid model of assisted living offers—not just to older adults, but to families and the wider community. We are proud to stand with our members, supporters, and advocates as we work to expand access and promote policies that support residents, families, and communities across the Commonwealth.”
Assisted living residences offer a supportive, non-clinical environment where older adults can age with dignity while enjoying a high-quality lifestyle. Residents often transition from living independently to assisted living when they need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, or mobility. For individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, specialized memory care units provide tailored support in a safe and nurturing setting. Assisted living emphasizes independence and wellness. Residents stay active through wellness programs, develop new hobbies, make friends, and build community—all of which combat loneliness and promote emotional well-being. Staff create individualized service plans for each resident that evolve as their needs change over time.
As the 2025-2026 legislative session proceeds over the next several months, Mass-ALA, representing 230+ assisted living communities across the Commonwealth, will continue advocating for policies that provide older adults and their families with independence, dignity, and choice.
About Mass-ALA
The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA) is a not-for-profit association dedicated to professionally operated assisted living residences in Massachusetts that provide housing and services for individuals with varied needs and income levels. Mass-ALA serves as the voice of assisted living in Massachusetts, providing information and education, and advocating on behalf of our members and the older adults they serve. Mass-ALA promotes a model of care which treats all residents with dignity, provides privacy, and encourages independence and freedom of choice.
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