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The article offers information about encore careers and how to explore the possibility of finding a career that offers rewarding work with a social impact, such as in health care and education. The author presents comments from Polly Cummings, a licensed massage therapist, about her journey to an encore career, and from Phyllis Segal, vice president of Civic Ventures, about what older people can offer. In deciding about encore careers, the author cites getting help from the nonprofit group Discovering What's Next, the LinkedIn website, and volunteering.

The article explores the issues brought about by the aging population in Massachusetts. The author argues that the increasing population of older citizens will have significant effect on the state, including health care, transportation and employment. The plans of Democratic Governor Deval Patrick and Republican candidate Charlie Baker for the aging population are highlighted. Ways to help older people are also cited.

The article looks at plans to reform the health care system in Massachusetts. Insurance premiums in the state are reportedly rising faster compared with the cost of living. Revamping the way doctors and hospitals get paid is one of the plans to control costs in Massachusetts. The need to ensure that any system should reduce medical expenses and improve patient care is stressed by consumer groups.

The article discusses the contributions of the late Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy which residents of the state hope will be carried on by his successor. During his tenure, Kennedy helped improve the health care system and campaigned for the protection of Medicare and Social Security. Furthermore, he proposed a long-term health insurance program to give the disabled access to quality life.

The article reports on the plan of the Partnership for Healthcare Excellence to launch an education campaign to warn customers of the danger of overusing antibiotics and medical imaging in the U.S. in fall 2009. According to the New England Healthcare Institute, more than half of all antibiotic prescriptions are medically unnecessary. The article also details two bills supported by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) that would address the problems.