Dignity Alliance calls for legislative action for elderly and disabled population
Dignity Alliance Massachusetts held a 'Dignity Dozen + One' legislative briefing, showcasing 13 new bills that look to expand care options for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Dignity Alliance pursues change by advocating for legislative reform, policy changes, and stricter regulation in the long-term care sphere.
Over $165,000 raised through 'Trees of Hope' for those in need of medical care
The alliance was formed after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing homes–like the 75 deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers Home–with the intention of preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Through these hardships, the group found a significant need for law reform surrounding long-term care facilities.
'The clinical practices, the business practices, the public policy, had not essentially changed in 50 years, in fact in some ways, more than 75 years,' said Paul Lanzikos, co-founder of the Dignity Alliance.
In this fleet of bills are policies dealing with air conditioning in nursing homes, increasing personal needs allowances, and improved disease prevention and control, all with the underlying goal of restoring dignity to the commonwealth's elders and disabled population.
Advocates had a clear message for the lawmakers who attended their briefing.
'Life and death are in your hands this year,' said Margaret Morganroth Gullette, author of 'American Eldercide.'
The Dignity Alliance encouraged supporters to reach out to their local lawmakers to request they cosign on dignity-based legislation. These bills will be eligible to pass in the legislature until the end of this session in late 2026.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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