The Massachusetts Agency on Aging offers programs for older adults, senior citizens, and the elderly. These programs are designed to help these groups of people stay healthy and active. The services we offer are designed to help with everything from managing your money to getting healthcare and prescriptions, as well as getting food and general advice and support.
The Meals on Wheels program in Massachusetts can deliver food and/or a hot lunch to people who are unable to take care of themselves because they are homebound or have disabilities. Some people may need to eat special meals because of their diet or health problems. Food is offered for individuals over 60 years old who are unable to prepare their own food and who are homebound.
When the meal is delivered, the senior will also be checked on, which helps reduce isolation. Some Meals on Wheels programs charge a small fee for the food, but it’s not always required.
Money Management will help seniors obtain financial stability. The Area Agency on Aging program understand that older people may find it difficult to manage their monthly bills and budget.
The program will allow seniors to have a trained volunteer help them with their bills for a few hours each month. Debt collectors can be a difficult and stressful thing to deal with, especially if you’re already in a difficult financial situation. There are ways to minimize the number of calls you receive from debt collectors and to avoid having your utilities shut off. The majority of volunteers that work for Massachusetts Money Management programs are also insured by AARP. These volunteers work one on one with eligible senior citizens.
Home care can help residents of Massachusetts stay in their own homes. The program can help them with everyday tasks. The amount you pay for services through the Agency on Aging is based on a sliding scale, which means that it is based on how much money you make.
A process is in place to determine if someone is eligible for the program. If you are enrolled, the family caregivers and the social worker will work together to make a plan for your care. The care provided to the senior plan may include grocery shopping, an adult day health program, meal preparation, meals on wheels, laundry services, medication, transportation, home modification, and general housekeeping.
There are Senior Dining Centers located in various counties and towns throughout Massachusetts. The centers can be located at local churches, agency of aging offices, Salvation Army centers, or other non-profit organizations. Some restaurants are designed to provide a space for people to come together and eat a healthy meal while socializing. These usually need a small amount of money given to them.
Nutrition Education and Counseling is offered at senior centers or other community settings in Massachusetts. This service provides information and guidance on how to make healthy dietary choices. In addition to receiving nutrition counseling at a center or in their own home, clients of nutrition programs can often attend workshops on various aspects of nutrition and diet.
Free legal services may be offered to seniors aged 60 or older. The Senior Citizen’s Law Project (SCLP) is a program that helps senior citizens with legal problems. It is funded in part by a grant from Minuteman Senior Services.
If you are a senior citizen and meet certain qualifications, you can get free legal assistance from the government. This assistance can include educational programs, legal representation, advice, and referral services. Legal services staff will also visit homes, nursing homes, and hospitals as needed. Some of the free legal assistance offered can help the senior with applying for public benefits (food stamps, Medicaid); evictions from private, public, or subsidized housing; determine their eligibility for public and subsidized housing; and getting information on Social Security and SSI benefits.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program can help people aged 55 or over to find employment. The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) helps unemployed, low-income seniors get job training by placing them in part-time jobs.
The goal of the program is to help participants find full-time employment by providing them with job training, work experience, and job search skills. The state of Massachusetts has an agency that focuses on aging. This agency works closely with the U.S. Department of Labor on a program that helps older adults.
The Senior Homelessness Program is offered to help elderly people who are homeless. The Agency on Aging partners with local churches, shelters, government programs, and community organizations to secure housing for individuals. The case manager can help you learn about resources and benefits that may be able to help you with housing and stability. Receive assistance in securing permanent housing, accessing benefits, locating medical care, and finding employment opportunities.
How can I find out about addressing health care needs? The clinics and organizations listed on the website can help seniors and adults with their medical needs in the state of Massachusetts.
Agency on aging offices provide a nutrition/health care resource called Healthy Eating for Successful Living. This resource provides information and tips on how to eat healthy and live a successful life. This program was designed to help older adults improve their knowledge of healthy food and nutrition. It covers topics such as how to make healthier choices when preparing meals and how small changes in eating habits can promote better health.
The aim of this program is to teach seniors and participants how to read food labels, plan healthy menus and make informed choices when grocery shopping.
The Diabetes Self Management Program is a series of workshops that help people with diabetes learn more about the disease and how to manage it. I The professionals will teach you how it affects your health. This program will help improve traditional medical care that is provided by a primary care physician.
Medical Advocates can help older adults get to and from medical appointments. They are highly trained to not only escort seniors, but also help by taking notes, providing information about the doctor’s visit, asking questions and ensuring follow up treatment occurs. The service is free, but donations to your area agency on aging office are appreciated.
Other services that are offered include medical transportation. Your local office of aging will provide a driver to pick seniors up from their homes and drive them to the hospital or doctor’s office for appointments. If you are an elderly person, you can ride the transportation for free.
Senior Care Organizations is a program in Massachusetts that helps seniors get the care they need at home and provides medical services. It is for people who are enrolled in both Mass Health and Medicare. The GSSC and the RN work together to make sure that the people who need long-term care receive the services they need. elderly people who are 65 years or older, who have Mass Health and Medicare, and who live in a nursing home or at home, are eligible to apply.
The Prescription Advantage Program provides prescription drug coverage for residents of Massachusetts who are age 65 or older. Those who are disabled may also qualify for this, even if they are not 65 years old. The state of Massachusetts created this resource to help older adults. Call 1-800-AGE-INFO for information about aging.
The Senior Medicare Patrol Program (SMP) is a free program offered in Massachusetts that is paid for by the federal Administration on Aging. The program helps seniors understand and use their Medicare benefits, prevent Medicare fraud, and report any problems they may have with their care. This program provides help to groups of people who are underserved or have limited ability to speak English, who are located across the state. This means that they can get health care and medical benefits that match their culture and language. The Medicaid health benefits program can be complex to navigate, but there is help available. You can also get help with Medicare. This means that people who are at risk of not having health benefits, homeless people, and people with low incomes, are given help to see if they are eligible for health benefits.
The SHINE program helps elders get the health information they need. If you are a senior citizen or have a disability, you can get free and confidential information from the government about health care and insurance options like Medicare.
SHINE counselors are based at Massachusetts area on aging offices. They are trained and certified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to provide support and resources to people who are aging. If you are elderly or have a disability, you can talk to a counselor one-on-one, or you can go to a group workshop. In addition to Medicare, there are programs and services available such as retiree insurance plans, Medicaid, the Medicare appeals process, free or reduced health care programs, and locations of clinics in Massachusetts.
This is aimed at helping seniors and older adults to understand their health insurance options better and what steps they can take to meet their needs. It is important to review your current coverage, compare your benefits, and learn about other resources that can help you during a time of need. SHINE and aging counselors can help prepare health benefit claim forms and applications as well as make referrals to other providers and government assistance programs. A senior citizen or individual can visit a community site or home to provide company and conversation to those who are homebound or handicapped.
For more information, please call the aging help line at 1-800-243-4636.