Elder Resource Guide Seventh Edition
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ELDER RESOURCE GUIDE SEVENTH EDITION “One call starts it all…” 617-730-2777 BROOKLINE COUNCIL ON AGING BROOKLINE SENIOR CENTER 93 Winchester Street Brookline, MA 02446 THE ELDER RESOURCE GUIDE BROOKLINE COUNCIL ON AGING Ruthann Dobek, LICSW Director, Council on Aging/Senior Center Olga Sliwa, LICSW Editor This edition would not have been possible without the assistance of Samantha Stewart and Phyllis Bram. They have our greatest appreciation. The Elder Resource Guide is published by the Brookline Council on Aging, 93 Winchester Street, Brookline, MA 02446, 617-730-2777. Edition printed 5/15. Companionship/Friendly Visitors Partners in Care Spotlight: REAP (Retirement Engagement Alternatives Program) Pet Care And the most current information available on all the resources previously included in the Guide! Table of Contents (The following topics are listed alphabetically) Adult Day Health/Day Care…………………………………………………………………1 Adult Learning Opportunities………………………………………………………………4 Advance Directives………………………………………………………………………………..7 Advocacy…………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Assisted Living………………………………………………………………………………………14 Bereavement..……………………………………………………………………………………….17 Brookline Recreation ………………………………………………………………………….19 Caregiver Resources……………………………………………………………………………20 Cleaning Services…………………………………………………………………………………24 Clutter Management……………………………………………………………………………26 Companionship/Friendly Visitors………………………………………………………31 Dental Resources…………………………………………………………………………………32 Disability Resources……………………………………………………………………………34 Donations……………………………………………………………………………………………….38 Driver Safety……………………………………………………………………………………….43 Durable Medical Equipment……………………………………………………………….47 Elder Abuse…………………………………………………………………………………………..52 Emergency Preparedness……………………………………………………………………56 Errands…………………………………………………………………………………………………..58 Finances…………………………………………………………………………………………………59 Fitness……………………………………………………………………………………………………65 Food Resources…………………………………………………………………………………….67 Fraud………………………………………………………………………………………………………75 Fuel Assistance…………………………………………………………………………………….79 Funeral Planning……………………………………………………………………………………82 Geriatric Care Advisors……………………………………………………………………..87 Health Information Websites…………………………………………………………..88 Health Insurance Masshealth/Medicaid………………………………………..91 Health Insurance Medicare……………………………………………………………….93 Health Insurance Medicare C Advantage Plans…………………………….96 Health Insurance Medicare Suppliment/Medigap Plans……………..98 Hearing Impaired Resources……………………………………………………………100 Home Care……………………………………………………………………………………………103 Home Health Care…………….……………………………………………………………….110 Homelessness/Shelters…………………………………………………………………….112 Homeowner Assistance……………………………………………………………………..115 Home Repair/Handyman Services…………………………………………………..116 Home Safety……………………………………………………………………………………….118 Hospice Care……………………………………………………………………………………….122 Hospitals………………………………………………………………………………………………125 Housing Information…………………………………………………………………………127 Information and Referral………………………………………………………………..130 Laundry Services………………………………………………………………………………..132 Legal Resources………………………………………………………………………………….134 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resources……………………137 Medical Escorts…………………………………………………………………………………139 Medicare D (Prescription Drug coverage)…………………………………….141 Medication…………………………………………………………………………………………..143 Mental Health…………………………………………………………………………………….147 Moving Resources………………………………………………………………………………153 Multicultural Programs……………………………………………………………………..157 Partners in Care: REAP………………………………………………………………….…159 Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)…………………………161 Pet Care………………………………………………………………………………………………164 Podiatry………………………………………………………………………………………………..166 Real Estate Tax Exemptions for Seniors…..…………………………………167 Residential Care/Rest Homes…………………………………….…………………..171 Respite Services………………………………………………………………………………..172 Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes……………………………………174 Social Security And SSI/Supplemental Security Income……….178 Springwell…………………………………………………………………………………………….179 Support Groups………………………………………………………………………………….180 Telemarketing/Junk Mail Removal…………………………………………………183 Transportation…………………………………………………………………………………..185 Utility Discounts……………………………………………………………………………….190 Veteran’s Services…………………………………………………………………………….193 Visual Impairment……………………………………………………………………………..194 Websites……………………………………………………………………………………………..197 Brookline Council on Aging Brookline Senior Center Elder Resource Guide Seventh Edition This guide was developed by the Brookline Council on Aging and the Brookline Senior Center to assist seniors and their families/caregivers in negotiating the complex world of eldercare. There are an enormous amount of resources available to individuals over age 60 in the Greater Boston area, but attempting to locate and coordinate these resources can often be an overwhelming and frustrating task. We encourage you to use this material as a starting point. If you need more information, contact the agencies directly for more information and as always feel free to contact us. Our professional social work staff are available free of charge to assist you. With recent budgetary cuts and shifts in funding, the information you receive today may often be invalid tomorrow. We are committed to providing the most accurate and up to date information possible. If you find that any information in this guide is incorrect or there is additional information you think should be included, please contact Olga Sliwa at Council on Aging (617) 730-2768. The best advice for staying healthy is to challenge your mind, be physically active, and keep connected to family, friends, and social organizations. All of this happens at the Senior Center, so if you are not already a regular, stop by soon! Disclaimer: This guide includes a general description of services beneficial to Brookline seniors. Inclusion does not represent a recommendation from the Brookline Council on Aging or the Brookline Senior Center, but is for your assistance in obtaining information and services. We do encourage your feedback (both positive and negative) so we can consistently provide updated information. Brookline Council on Aging Brookline Senior Center Elder Resource Guide Seventh Edition The Brookline Council on Aging is a Town agency that promotes active and healthy aging. We are dedicated to enriching the aging experience for Brookline seniors over the age of 60. Our goal is to help seniors maintain their independence and continue to be active members of our community. We welcome all who have questions regardless of age, gender identity and sexual orientation, income, disability, ethnic or religious background. We provide a rich, diverse environment with a wide range of opportunities, programs and services. We believe wholeheartedly in enhancing growth, dignity and a sense of belonging while encouraging individual contribution and sharing of life experiences. We recognize the efforts of all our program collaborators and are grateful for their support. The Town of Brookline does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services or activities. If you need assistance or special accommodations, please contact the Council on Aging office at 617-730-2777 or the ADA coordinator Lloyd Gellineau at 617-730-2326 or TTD at 617-730-2327. ADULT DAY HEALTH PROGRAMS Adult Day Health (ADH) programs offer frail seniors a place to receive medical care, as well as an opportunity for increased socialization. ADH programs may also be a source of respite to caregivers for seniors who are unable to remain alone at home during the daytime hours. ADH program staff may consist of nurses, social workers, recreational therapists, certified nursing assistants, physical and occupational therapists, and dieticians. Program staff will also work closely with an individual’s primary care physician to assure the best possible plan of care. ADH offerings vary by program, but usually include: breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack nursing care including medication administering/reminders, monitoring of existing medical conditions and medical treatments daily activities such as exercise, arts and crafts, discussion groups, outings to local restaurants, shops and cultural events personal care such as assistance with bathing and dressing door to door transportation (Transportation cost will differ for wheelchair bound participants and is not listed for the programs.) MassHealth (Medicaid) and private pay are the two most common sources of payment for ADH programs. Private pay costs vary by program. Limited assistance may also be available through your local Aging Services Access Point (Springwell for Brookline). If you would like additional information, please contact: Adult Day Health Program 617-363-8515 Hebrew Rehabilitation Center Contact: Suzie Kaytis 1200 Centre Street, Roslindale, MA www.hebrewseniorlife.org 30 Wallingford Road, Brighton, MA Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 9:00am-3:00pm Private Pay: $65.00/day for basic support; $80 for complex support Transportation: $15 each way Additional Information: Bilingual services available for Russian elders 1 Disclaimer: Inclusion in this guide does not represent a recommendation from the Brookline Council on Aging or the Brookline Senior Center, but is for your assistance in obtaining information and services. We do encourage your feedback (both positive and negative) so we can consistently provide updated information. ADULT DAY HEALTH PROGRAMS Adult Day