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Senior Online Resource File
With General information Contact Numbers
The following information was gathered at a point in time
and may have changed since that time.
Adult Daycare
Central Mass Agency on Aging, www.seniorconnection.org assists in locating supportive daycare programs through Guide to Elder Services. 800-244-3032
Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc. www.eswa.org ass, ists in locating supportive daycare and adult day health programs. 800-243-5111
Massachusetts Adult Day Services Association, www.madsa.net assists in locating adult day programs. 800-382-7305 ext. 3047
Tri-Valley, Inc., www.ttrivalleyinc.org assists in locating supportive daycare programs. Contact them for information. 800-286-6640
Summit Eldercare, www.summiteldercare.org a program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is sponsored by Fallon Community Health Plan. Clients are provided all-inclusinve medical, social, and home care and an adult day health care option while remaining in their home in their community. Summit Elder Care is located in Worcester and in Charlton on the Masonic Home property. 800-698-7566
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org provides information about programs and services, including Safe Return ID Products. 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts, www.alzmass.org provides information about support groups and assistance programs. 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Store, www.alzstore.org offers a variety of products to assist the individual and caregiver. 800-752-3238
Harrington Hospital Alzheimers Caregiver’s Support Group, www.harringtonhospital.org . Click on Social Services. 508-765-9771 ext. 2570
Assisted Living
Mass. Assisted Living Facilities, www.massalfa.org provides a description of facilities around the state. One can also order their resource guide. 781-622-5999
Mass Center for Assisted Living, www.masslongtermcare.org has a facility locator for various types of long term care including nursing homes. 617-558-0202
Woods at Eddy Pond, www.emeritus.com. Enter Auburn, MA in the search,click on Woods at Eddy Pond.
Benefits
The National Council on Aging, www.benefitscheckup.org connects individuals to government programs that can help them pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, property taxes and other needs. Complete a short form. Results and links to programs are provided. 732-367-7111
Care Giving
Family Caregiver Handbook, www.familycaregiverhandbook.org is a “gateway” to elder care organizations across the Commonwealth, providing phone numbers, locations, and website addresses so that the caregivers can find the most appropriate resources closest to their own home.
Caregiver Homes, Senior Link, www.seniorlink.com explains the options for Medicaid eligible seniors who wish to remain home or within the community rather than going to a nursing home. 617-456-3700
Caregiver Support Program, www.ttrivalleyinc.org provides Information & Resources, advice and planning assistance. Contact them through this website. 508-949-6640
Central MA Agency on Aging, www.seniorconnection.org provides Information & Resources and online support groups. 800-244-3032
Eldercare Locator, www.eldercare.gov connects individuals with information on senior services throughout the United States. 800-677-1116
MA Family Caregivers Support Program, www.800ageinfo.com provides information, one on one assistance, training and support counseling. 800-243-4636
Senior Link, www.seniorlinkonline.com provides advice for the caregiver, an elder care locator and related links. 866-797-9697
Death and Dying
5 Wishes, www.agingwithdignity.org allows one to obtain a tool that can be used as both a healthcare proxy and a vehicle to express one’s desires for end of life care. 888-594-7437
Better Ending Program of Central MA, www.betterending.org has information on related professional, local hospice, and palliative care.
Disabilities
Massachusetts Office on Disability, www.mass.gov/mod/ provides information and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Site links to other programs and agencies. 800-322-2020
Financial
Consumer Credit Counseling, www.debtplan.org/ gives advice on credit issues including consolidation. 800-353-7630
Money Management Program, www.trivalleyinc.org provides trained volunteers who help elders with setting up budgets, bill paying, check writing and checking account maintenance. They can assist with insurance or income benefit paperwork. 800-286-6640
Food Assistance
Meals on Wheels/Congregate Meals, www.trivalleyinc.org delivers meals to homebound seniors and serves a congregate meal at the Sturbridge Senior Center. 800-286-6600
Project Bread, www.projectbread.org provides information on public food programs and an emergency food source help-line. 800-645-8333
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) (formerly Food Stamps), www.mass.gov/dta is a federally funded food assistance program that is administered by The Office of transitional Assistance. Monthly benefits, for qualified seniors, are made available on a Bay State Access Card which works as a debit card at the checkout counter when groceries are purchased.
Worcester Community Action Council, www.wcac.net (go to Community and click on SNAP Food Stamps) defines eligibility, how to apply for food stamps and what documentation is needed. 508-754-1176
Worcester County Food Bank, www.foodbank.org tells where and how to get immediate and long term help. 508-842-3663
Fuel Assistance
Mass Resources, www.massresources.org (go to Energy Utility Assistance) gives an
overview and links to fuel assistance programs. 800-609-7232
REAS Foundation (Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors Foundation), www.reasfoundation.org provides Sturbridge Seniors who qualify with energy assistance grants. Eligibility criteria is provided and applications can be downloaded from the website.
Worcester Community Action Council, www.wcac.net (go to Fuel Assistance) describes eligibility, how to apply, where to apply and documentation needed when you come to apply. 508-754-1176
Health/Adaptive Equipment
Center for Living and Working/STEP Program, http://clwstep.tripod.com makes adaptive equipment available for purchase. Examples: telephone equipment: visual signalers for doorbells, and alarm clocks; amplification for television watching and radio listening and face-to- face conversations. 508-755-1028
Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program, www.mass.gov/edp offers free and low cost telephone equipment for people with hearing problems.
Health Care Programs
Commonwealth Care, www.massresources.org (click on Health Care Programs) provices health care option for Massachusetts residents who are uninsured, do not qualify for MassHealth or Medicare and meet income limits (Example gross $60,012/family of four). 866-610-2273
Health Safety Net (Free Care), www.massresources.org (click on Health Care Programs) provides free health care for low income seniors.
Health/Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf, www.mass.gov/mcdhh provides advocacy, information and referral, case management, interpretive services and educational programs. 800-249-9949
Massachusetts Relay Service, www.massrelay.com is a telecommunications relay service that utilizes a communication assistant to provide exact transcriptions of what they hear and transmit it electronically to the deaf individual. 800-720-3479
Health/Vision
MAB Community Services, www.mablind.org provides information and referral services. They also describe their many volunteer services including transportation, readers, friendly visitors, escorted shopping/errands, etc. 617-738-5110
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, www.mass.gov provides information about rehab and
services for the blind. Enter through “Government Branches and Departments" A to Z index. 866-888-2808
Worcester Talking Book Library, www.worcpublib.org (under general information) provides books for the blind and physically handicapped. Use search. 508-799-1655
Helping Agencies/Area Services Access Point (ASAP)
Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc., www.eswa.org 800-243-5111
800-649-3641
Helping Agencies/Local/State
Attorney General’s Elder Hotline, www.mass.gov. Search Attorney General’s Hotline. It is a resource and referral tool for elders. 508-792-7600
Center for Living and Working, www.centerlw.org serves people with disabilities. Has a personal care
attendant program. 508-798-0350
Geriatric Care Managers of New England, www.gcmnewengland.org gives a directory of private case managers. 617-426-3533
Harrington Memorial Hospital, www.harringtonhospital.org links to health websites, gives Medicare information and has a file library. 508-765-9771
United Way of Central MA, www.unitedwaycm.org provides Information and Resources through First Call for Help. 508-757-5631
Homecare
Greater Springfield Senior Services, www.gsssi.org is an ASAP that provides home care for income eligible
seniors. 800-649-3641
Tri-Valley, Inc., www.ttrivalleyinc.org is an ASAP that provides home care for income eligible seniors. 800-286-6640
Home Ownership
Central Mass Housing Alliance, www.cmhaonline.org for Elder Home Repair and Home Modification Loan Program. 508-791-7265
assists older home owners, that qualify, with the cost of home repairs and enhancements. 202-720-9540
Housing/Senior
Information and Resources
Legal Services
Do Not Call Registry, www.mass.gov. Enter through online services. 866-888-2808
Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, www.manaela.org/index.cfm offers a free directory of Elder Law Attorneys specializing in legal issues affecting elders. Areas of specialty include: estate planning, Social Security, health and retirement benefits, etc. 617-566-5640
NAELA, www.naela.com is the website for the National Assoc. of Elder Law Attorneys.
520-881-4005
Unsolicited Credit Card Offers, To stop receiving them, call 1-800-5OPT-OUT.
Long Term Care Insurance
Massachusetts Division of Insurance Consumer Line, www.mass.gov/doi describes the types of Long Term care plans being sold in Massachusetts. Go to “search the website.” 617-521-7794
Mass Health/Buy In Programs
Mass Resources, www.massresources.org links to Mass Health and Mass Health Buy In. Enter through “ health care programs.” 866-610-2273
Medicaid Law (as it applies to long-term care), www.elderlawanswers.com gives resource asset rules and protections for spouses. 866-267-0947
Medicare/Medigap
Blue Cross & Blue Shield, www.bluecrossma.com to learn about health care choices, Medicare
supplemental plans and Medicare Part D options offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts. 800-262-BLUE
Fallon Clinic/HMO, www.fchp.org/seniors to learn about Fallon Senior Plan a Medicare Advantage Plan
in our area. 800-333-2535
Mass Pro, www.masspro.org compares nursing homes/hospitals and home health agencies. The agency is
committed to improve the quality of health care provided Medicare beneficiaries. It has a Medicare hospital appeal process. 781-890-0011
Medicare, www.medicare.gov is the official website for people with Medicare. 800-MEDICARE
Medicare Outreach, www.medicareoutreach.org for health insurance options and an opportunity to
compare plans through SHINE. 800-633-4227
Nursing Homes
Mass Pro, www.masspro.org compares nursing homes and has related links. 781-890-0011
Pension Plan Assistance
N. E. Pension Assistance Project, www.pensionaction.org offers free counseling and assistance. 888-425-6067
Personal Care Assistant Directory
Mass PCA Directory, www.mass.gov/findpca will assist individuals with the task of recruiting and hiring PCAs
Personal Response Systems
Lifeline, www.lifelinesystems.com makes caring help available at the press of a button 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, Lifelinine with Reminders helps manage medications, doctors appointments, etc. 800-380-3111
Tri-Valley, Inc., www.trivalleyinc.org assists clients with obtaining personal response systems. 800-286-6640
Overlook Visiting Nurse Association, Inc,. www.overlookvna.org offers Lifeline Personal Response and Support Services. 508-755-5550
Prescription Assistance
Needy Meds, www.needymeds.com is a resource that includes info about drug assistance programs.
215-625-9609
Mass Medline, www.massmedline.com is an agency that helps individuals identify and apply for
prescription assistance. 866-633-1617
Prescription Advantage, www.800ageinfo.com provides prescription assistance for Massachusetts
residents age 65+, the disabled and those with low income. 800-243-4636
Reversible Mortgages
Reverse Mortgages, www.mass.gov (Search Reverse Mortgage Loans) provides information and guidance to those seeking a reverse mortgage.
Senior Issues
Massachusetts Executive Office for Elder Affairs, www.mass.gov Enter through “state agencies.” 800-243-4636
Elder at Risk/Protective Services, www.trivalleyinc.org provides information about how to report abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation. 800-286-6640
SHINE
Social Security
www.socialsecurity.gov has forms to download, information and allows individuals to apply online for benefits. It also has a benefit planner. 800-772-1213
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
www.ssa.gov is a need based entitlement program administered by Social Security. Go to “choose a subject." 800-772-1213
Support Groups
Harrington Hospital Social Services, www.harringtonhospital.org describes programs and offers local Alzheimer’s, Oncology, and Multiple Sclerosis support groups. 508-765-9771 ext. 2570
Transportation
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, www.mass.gov/rmv allows one to download applications for disabled parking, renew ones license, re-new registrations, re-place license or Mass I.D. card. 800-858-3926
Veterans
State Department of Veteran’s Services, www.state.ma.us/veterans describes benefits and gives program information. 800-827-1000
National Military Family Association, www.nmfa.org is a voice for military families, widows and divorcees. 800-260-0218
US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, www.va.gov provides info on Veterans’ programs, benefits and facilities. 800-827-1000
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