A little more than 900,000 people over the age of 65 live in Massachusetts, 14% of the state?s population. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs has the job of providing programs and services to ensure that the state?s seniors live long and healthy lives.
They include:
-- Assisted Living Ombudsman: Investigates complaints made by residents of assisted living facilities.
-- Caregiver Support: Help for those who are caring for a senior family member.
-- Congregate Housing: Neither a nursing home nor a medical care facility; a place for seniors to live together.
-- Home Services: A comprehensive program that provides such services as adult day care, personal care, help with household chores and transportation.
-- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Advocating for residents of long-term care facilities.
-- Meals & Nutrition: Services include home delivered meals, as well as nutrition education for a healthy life.
-- Prescription Advantage: Helping eligible seniors pay for prescription drugs.
-- Protective Services Program: Receives and investigates incidents of elder abuse, neglect of exploitation.
-- Supportive Housing Initiative: Creating “an assisted living-like” environment in state funded senior housing.
-- Volunteer Services: Volunteer opportunities for seniors.
It is not a service offered by the state of Massachusetts, but most health experts agree that a medical alert system should be part of the life plan for every senior. Such a system is vital for seniors living alone. Without a medical alert system, you could fall down and not be able to get to a phone to call for help. The results could be tragic. If you have a system, you could just press your alert button and help would be on the way within minutes.
With seniors more active than ever, there are medical alert systems that are mobile. Just take a small device with you wherever you go, and the built-in GPS and cellular service provides coverage anywhere in the country.
Medical alert systems operate in all 50 states, including Massachusetts. To compare the offerings from more than a dozen companies, click on this link.
Seniors are often easy targets for unscrupulous people who think nothing of taking advantage of this vulnerable population. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs offers tips to seniors to avoid being victims. They include:
-- Never give out personal information on the phone, such as Social Security number, date of birth or Medicare number.
-- Never give in to pressure tactics from “salesmen.”
-- Trust your instincts. If you think someone is trying to scam you, you are probably right. Just end the conversation.
If any of these things happen to you, report it at once to Elder Affairs.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs coordinates programs and services through 23 local Area Agencies of Aging (AAA) scattered throughout the state.
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Medical Alert Systems > Massachusetts
Medical Alert Systems and Senior Resources in Massachusetts
