The passage of the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s and Dementia Act in 2018 created the Alzheimer's Advisory Council and promised changes to how medical care and health services are delivered to dementia patients in Massachusetts. Lexington Goes Purple presents a "fireside chat" with Elizabeth Chen, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs on the work of the Council. Secretary Chen, a Lexington resident, is responsible for leading the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, which strives to ensure that the 1.6 million older adults in the Commonwealth and their caregivers have opportunities to live safely and thrive in their communities of choice. The Secretary will discuss the challenges and hopes for current and future public policy solutions to provide support to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and other related dementias in a conversation moderated by Innessa Manning, Cary Library Foundation President and Lexington Goes Purple committee member.

There will be time for Q&A. Questions can be submitted in advance to caryprograms@minlib.net.

Registration is suggested. Although registration is not required to attend an in-person program, it enables us to notify you if a program is postponed or cancelled. Thank you.

Elizabeth Chen was appointed Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) in June 2019. EOEA strives to ensure that the 1.6 million older adults in the Commonwealth and their caregivers have opportunities to live safely and thrive in their communities of choice. Secretary Chen oversees the agency’s $700 million budget which funds programs and services.

Prior to her appointment as Secretary of EOEA, Dr. Chen served as an Assistant Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health where she oversaw the licensing of health care professionals and patient care settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, and ambulances. She also led the Determination of Need Program.

Dr. Chen came into state service with more than 30 years of experience in the private sector. She has been president of an academic institution, the chief executive of biotech companies, and has served on numerous boards in the health care and education sectors.

Dr. Chen received a BA from Yale University; an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania; an MPH from Harvard University; and a PhD in Gerontology from UMass Boston, where her academic work focused on advance care planning.

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