WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY CONFERENCE DAYS ARE SOLD OUT!
2026 MCOA Fall Conference Registration Update
đ What an incredible response! Registration for the 2026 MCOA Fall Conference has reached capacity for Wednesday and Thursday.
Want to join the waitlist? You may still complete registration to be added to the conference waitlist. If space becomes available due to cancellations, we will contact registrants in the order they were added.
đď¸ Friday tickets are still available! A limited number of registrations remain for Friday, October 23, so if youâd like to join us for the final day of workshops and the conference experience, we encourage you to register soon.
Thank you for the tremendous enthusiasm for this yearâs conference. We canât wait to welcome you to Southbridge! đ
Building Welcoming Hubs: Councils on Aging Embrace LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Lisa Krinsky, Director of the LGBTQIA+ Aging Project at Fenway Health, has dedicated 21 years to fostering inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ older adults in Massachusetts. Her journey began in the ASAP network where she quickly identified...
Beyond the Surface: How MCOA Trainings Empower COA Staff to Connect and Care
At our local Councils on Aging (COAs) and Senior Centers, you'll find dedicated individuals who are often the first point of contact for older adults navigating life's complexities. These compassionate professionals are more than just...
More Than Just a Job: How Behavioral Health Training Transforms COA Services
For Emily Kuhl, a seasoned case manager at The Newton Cooper Center (Newton Older Adult Services), the recent âBehavioral Health Trainingâ series offered by McLean Hospital and the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) wasn't just...
Bridging the Gap: McLean Hospital and MCOA Partner for Essential Behavioral Health Training
The growing need for robust behavioral health support among older adults is undeniable. The Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) has stepped up to meet this critical demand, forging a powerful partnership with McLean Hospital to deliver...
MCOA’s Unwavering Commitment to Professional Development: Empowering COA Staff and Directors
The Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) is deeply committed to ensuring that Council on Aging (COA) staff and directors across the Commonwealth have access to the best possible professional development. This dedication is especially...
Flip the Script on Aging: Celebrating Older Americans Month 2025
Each May, we observe Older Americans Month (OAM) to honor the invaluable contributions of older adults in our communities. The 2025 theme, "Flip the Script on Aging," encourages us to challenge outdated stereotypes and embrace the diverse...
Your Voice Matters: Join Us for Older Adult Lobby Day to Advocate for Older Americans Month
At the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA), we believe advocacy is a year-round commitmentâbut thereâs one day that truly unites our voices on Beacon Hill: Older Adult Lobby Day. This powerful day of action brings together older adults...
The Importance of Community Connection
On a showery and windswept day last fall, while on vacation in Ireland, I had the privilege to meet Paddy, Sean and Seamus and was invited into their Menâs Shed on Achill Island in County Mayo. This was on my âBucket Listâ, and you may...
Hayley Wood: Championing the Well-being of Older Adults
In a world often focused on challenges, it's refreshing to hear stories of dedication, compassion, and the profound rewards of serving others. Hayley Wood, MCOA's Economic Security and Outreach Manager, offers a unique perspective, shaped...
The Heartbeat of Community: Uplifting Lives Through Council on Aging Social Services
In the bustling heart of any community, there lies a network of support, a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of aging and life's challenges. At the Council on Aging (COA), social services play a pivotal role, weaving together...
MCOA Leads Dementia Friendly MA, Offering Resources and Grants
MCOA is the state lead for the Dementia Friendly Massachusetts (DFM) initiative, a community-based, grassroots movement to grow awareness, services, and infrastructure to support the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers. Communities often choose to merge DFM goals with corresponding and overlapping goals for network membership in the Age-Friendly Massachusetts movement, which is steered by AARP-MA.
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Advocacy Needed to Protect Meals on Wheels
Mass Aging Access, the membership and advocacy organization for Aging Services Access Points in MA, has issued an advocacy alert to protect Meals on Wheels. If you're concerned about the future of this program, which uses combined federal and state funding, visit...
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Every June the Alzheimer's Association provides new opportunities to learn about habits that enhance brain health. Their many resources encourage us to be proactive and take action in a number of ways: advocating for legislation to increase access to testing...
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Federal Funding Update
On December 19, Judge Mary S. McElroy of the Rhode Island District Court ruled in favor of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (plaintiff) in a hearing challenging HUDâs recent actions regarding the most recent Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY 2025...