MetroWest Elder Care Resources
When an elder loved one is in need of extra support, either due to an illness or the natural progression of age, there are a wide array of options including private consultants, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, as well as publicly funded services. Navigating these choices and addressing the complexities of this stage of life can be challenging. Following is an overview of the types of services available in the MetroWest community, along with tools to help you narrow down the options in your area. You may also click one of the links above to go directly to a specific subject matter.
AGING SERVICE ACCESS POINTS (ASAPs)
ASAPs are private, nonprofit, state-designated agencies, under contract with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, to provide seniors and caregivers access to essential services and programs. ASAPs are supported by state and federal funds, as well as by private donations. There are 25 ASAPs in the state of MA.
Following is info regarding the ASAPs serving the MetroWest area.
BayPath recently merged with Springwell, Inc. Both nonprofit organizations hold contracts with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to act as state-designated ASAPs and federally designated Area Agencies on Aging. Services offered include home-delivered meals, personal care assistance, homemaking, etc.
Springwell provides these services to residents of the towns of Belmont, Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, and Weston.
GERIATRIC CARE MANAGERS
Geriatric care managers (GCM’s) are typically licensed nurses or social workers who specialize in geriatrics, the health and care of elderly people. These professionals assist families with the planning and coordination of care for their elderly relatives, including those with physical and/or mental impairments. GCMs help their clients to improve their quality of life and maintain their independence as long as possible, while reducing the burden on family members, by:
- Making home visits to evaluate needs and suggest services
- Formulating short- and long-term care plans
- Coordinating care personnel and medical services
- Addressing emotional concerns
- Evaluating and identifying potential alternate living arrangements, if needed
- Providing caregiver coaching, as well as support and stress relief
Note: Geriatric care managers can also assist younger patients with end-of-life planning and coordination.
To identify a geriatric care manager in your area, click here:
HOME CARE AGENCIES
Home Care Agencies provide services in people's home or place of residence, including elder care facilities. The goal of home care is to allow elders and their spouses to stay safely in their place of residence and continue to be as independent as possible. Home care clients may be seniors, people recovering from an accident or surgery, people with disabilities, and people with chronic health issues.
Note: In certain situations, limited homecare may be covered under your healthcare insurance. Please contact your insurance carrier to determine your coverage/eligibility.
To identify a home care agency in your area, click here:
ASSISTED LIVING
Assisted living communities provide seniors with care and social engagement in a residential setting. They are geared toward elders whose health or well-being requires a higher level of support, which is determined through a health assessment by the community according to state regulations.
Assisted living services typically include medication management and assistance with such tasks as dressing, bathing and using the bathroom. Most often housekeeping, meals, laundry and transportation services, as well as social programs and activities, are included. Trained staff are generally available around the clock to ensure safety and constant support.
Assisted living facilities also often offer short-term “respite care” to support seniors who are recovering from a hospital visit or are in need of hospice care outside of the home.
To identify an assisted living facility in your area, click here:
NURSING HOMES
Nursing homes, or “skilled nursing facilities” are places for people who can no longer live independently, cannot be cared for at home, and need more care than what is offered at assisted living facilities. Nursing homes provide round-the-clock care from a trained, skilled nursing staff.
The following tool helps you to assess the quality of care provided by Massachusetts nursing homes
Nursing home survey performance tool | Mass.gov
To identify nursing homes in your area, click here:
ADDITIONAL ELDER CARE FACILITY LOCATOR TOOLS
Massachusetts Senior Care Association
Facility search | Mass Senior Care (maseniorcare.org)
Medicare.gov
Find Healthcare Providers: Compare Care Near You | Medicare
HOSPICE CARE
Hospice is comprehensive, compassionate care for a seriously ill person, which includes physical, emotional, spiritual and bereavement care and support for the ill person’s whole family. Hospice is for people whose remaining lifespan is estimated at six months or less. Hospice care helps patients living with a variety of medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, dementia, stroke, and many others. The purpose of this care is to help the patient and family live as well as possible, while managing pain and other symptoms of the illness. Care is palliative, that is, focused on comfort and not on seeking a cure, however, a patient may stop hospice care and re-enter active curative treatment at any time. The priority of hospice care is quality of life for the ill person and family unit. The care is uniquely patient-centered and considers the needs of the entire family.
Care Dimensions
Hospice and Palliative Care MA | Care Dimensions
Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence
Wayland, MA
Good Shepherd Hospice Residence (gscommunitycare.org)
To identify a hospice care facility in your area, click here:
ELDER LAW ATTORNEYS
An elder law attorney is a legal professional who specializes in matters that affect seniors, such as Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid benefits appeals, estate planning, elder abuse, and issues related to elder housing.
Elder Law Attorney Resources:
Massachusetts Chapter of NAELA
MassNAELA – Leading the Way in Special Needs and Elder Law
To identify an elder law attorney in your area, click here:
RESOURCES for SENIOR VETERANS
Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits
VA Aid and Attendance is a monthly pension benefit that provides tax-free payments to Veterans who served during wartime. In addition to being available for Veterans, single surviving spouses and dependent children are also eligible for this benefit. In order to qualify for this pension, the Veteran or their surviving family need to meet means-tested income and asset thresholds.
National Veterans Foundation (NVF)
VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Eligibility Criteria - Housebound Rating (nvf.org)
If you need help with a new application for Veteran’s services or have general questions about veterans benefits, you may call your Veterans Services Officer for your town. This person’s contact info is listed on your town’s website or you can contact your town hall.
For questions regarding pending benefit applications or other issues, you may contact State Senator Ed Markey’s office:
Innocent Wozufia, Congressional Aid
Innocent_wozufia@markey.senate.gov
General Casework Mailbox
ma_casework@markey.senate.gov
AGING IN PLACE
Preparing the Elder's Home Environment
Many elders choose to remain in their homes as long as possible. If so, it is important to understand the risks and how to best equip the home to be as safe as possible.
National Institute on Aging
Aging in Place: Tips on Making Home Safe and Accessible
Aging in Place: Tips on Making Home Safe and Accessible | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
SENIOR CENTERS/COUNCILS ON AGING
Councils on aging & senior centers provide support services to elders, along with their families and caregivers in their communities. These local agencies serve as advocates for elders and offer them services and activities such as:
- Outreach
- Transportation
- Meals
- Loaning of equipment such as walkers, canes, wheelchairs
- Health screenings
- Health insurance counseling
- Socialization
- Fitness, wellness and recreation activities
- Education
To identify aging/senior centers in your area, click here:
Please note that The Parmenter Foundation, Inc. does not own, operate, or manage any of the organizations listed as resources on this web site, or derive any revenues from referrals. It is important for users to independently evaluate whether these resources are appropriate for their families.