Staying at Home

By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-12-22 13:53:20.787394-05:00

First in a series on long-term care issues affecting Bay State residents

The majority of older Americans want to remain in their own homes and communities as they grow older. For many, assistance with simple daily tasks like dressing, bathing and eating help to make that choice a reality. These types of long-term care services will only become more important to Bay State residents as the boomer generation ages. AARP recently spoke with House Majority Leader John Rogers about the kinds of services available in Massachusetts for older persons and their families.

Councils on Aging (COAs)
The commonwealth provides grants to local COAs to help older people remain independent in their homes. COAs provide services including:

Transportation
Outreach
Nutrition
Fitness/recreation
Health screening
Supportive day care
Elder information

Find your local COA online.

Family Caregiver Support Program
The Family Caregiver Support Program provides advice, support and resources to individuals caring for elderly parents, relatives or friends.

Services include:

Information and referral
Publications
Elder Care Advisors
One-on-one assistance
Training, support and counseling
Caregiver Service Scholarships

Supportive Housing Program
The Supportive Housing Program provides on-site personal care and nutrition services for senior housing residents. Services are available for a variety of housing settings, including:

Adult Family Care
Group Adult Foster Care
Group Adult Foster Care - Assisted Living
Congregate Housing
Adult Family Care Host
Caregiver ' s Support

SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders)
SHINE provides health insurance counseling services to seniors and disabled adults.

SHINE counselors are trained to handle complex questions about topics including:

Medicare
Medicaid
Prescription drug assistance programs
Drug discount cards
Long-term health insurance

Find the Service You Need
Contact the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) by calling 1-800-AGE-INFO. EOEA provides information and referrals to programs available to meet specific needs. Additional information is also available on the Elder Affairs Web site.

Make Your Voice Heard
AARP is lobbying for stronger protections when it comes to comparing and buying long-term care insurance. Help us persuade state legislators to add safeguards for consumers. To make a difference, call 1-866-448-3621 or send an e-mail.

Additional Related Links

AARP Bulletin: Declaration of Independents

AARP Bulletin: Assisted Living-10 Great Ideas

Home and Community-Based Long Term Care Services and Supports for Older People