WE WELCOME THE MA EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS
We wholeheartedly welcome the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) as an Honoring Choices Alliance Partner. We are so pleased for the opportunity to support Secretary Alice Bonner and the EOEA staff in their commitment to help older adults and people with disabilities live and thrive. Our first collaboration is with Mary DeRoo, RN, BSN, MSM, Director of Home and Community Programs, EOEA. “Our mission is to give people choice” says Ms. DeRoo, “and to empower adults to be in control of the care they want, even when they can’t advocate for themselves.” We’ll work closely to understand how best to support and enhance the work of the 29 Elder Service Agencies (also known as ASAP’s, Aging Service Access Points and AAA’s, Area Agencies on Aging) throughout the Commonwealth. As an Alliance Partner, Honoring Choices will provide the agencies with Massachusetts-based health care planning educational materials and proven programs, to incorporate as they like into their diverse and effective programs. Their staff in turn can use the tools to engage adults in planning discussions to help understand each individual’s values and care choices, and connect adults to services which honor their choices. In addition, EOEA becomes an integral part of the Honoring Choices Partner network. The growing network is both Community Partners and Alliance Partners who work together to help adults make a plan and receive the best possible person-centered care all through their lives. Read more here.