The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is making at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests available to Councils on Aging, Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs), Senior Affordable Housing Providers, Health Care Providers, and other Community-Based Organizations, free of cost, while supplies allow.

Hamel-Lydon Chapel, an MSCA Associate Member, is proud to announce this year's 10 recipients and their respective organizations that represent compassionate care and provide exceptional service to patients and families. Recipients each receive an award certificate and $500 award while their healthcare organizations receive $250 for each award granted.

At its Annual Meeting last week, the AHCA Council of States voted to approve a bylaw amendment to put into effect a dues proposal that would be presented to the Council of States every three years.

The Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2022 awards. Scholarships from $500 to $2,000 will be awarded to selected applicants to cover direct, out of pocket expenses for tuition, fees, books, and supplies incurred during the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has scheduled a remote public hearing on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. relative to the adoption of the Rate Year 2023 Medicaid Nursing Facility Rate Regulation. Mass Senior Care will be testifying at this hearing and welcome our members to join us in urging EOHHS to update rates to better reflect the cost of quality resident care including skyrocketing wage rates that have grown by nearly 20% since the start of the pandemic.

Join us as we gather in-person for our 2022 Annual Meeting & Trade Show on Thursday, November 17th at the DCU Center in Worcester! In addition to learning from dynamic speakers on relevant workforce topics, you can also network with colleagues and vendors at the Trade Show and Luncheon. A post-conference “Thank You LTC Heroes” cocktail reception at Off the Rails restaurant will immediately follow the afternoon session.

Federal declaration that a public health emergency exists renewed, Mass Senior Care's response to a Boston Globe editorial, DPH released revisions to the Update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents during the COVID-19 Response, DPH released updated Guidance for Health Care Personnel with SARS-CoV2 Infection or Exposure, and guidance for wearing face masks in certain settings.

RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a MassDEP-funded program that offers free technical assistance to help Massachusetts businesses and institutions reduce waste. RecyclingWorks experts can guide your organization in implementing or expanding existing programs before these changes go into effect.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome new members to our Association. Our members have demonstrated their commitment to the senior care provider community by joining Mass Senior Care and we are grateful for their support.