By JoAnn Thibault
When you connect with your local Council on Aging (COA) you will receive opportunities to be with your peers, socialize, learn new skills, exercise, and receive support that helps you remain as independent as possible in your home.
Your local Council on Aging has the information you need. Below is a list of services and referrals they provide:
http://www.mcoaonline.com/
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Assistance in Your Home
• Care Planning
• Housing Options
• Nursing Homes
• Respite Care
• Medical Services
• Transportation
• Public Benefits Counseling
• Supportive Day
• Recreational Activities
• Volunteer Opportunities
• SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders)
• Lifelong Learning
• Nutrition
• Application Assistance
Councils on Aging serve older adults every day:
Over 525,000 older adults received services from a local COA in fiscal year 2007
• They help provide 7,500,000 meals annually throughout the state of Massachusetts.
• They help provide 26,800 older adults with volunteer opportunities.
• These volunteers perform 2,300,000 hours of service per year.
• They provide transportation – hundreds of thousands of rides – to medical appointments, for personal business and to centers for older adults throughout the state.
To Contact Your Local Council On Aging, click on these two websites for more information.
http://www.mcoaonline.com/
http://contactus.800ageinfo.com/FindAgency.aspx
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By JoAnn Thibault
Aging Services Access Points, known in the elder network as ASAPs, were established under Chapter 19A of Massachusetts General Laws. There are 27 ASAPs statewide in exclusive geographic areas. ASAPs are private, non-profit agencies with Governing Boards made up of at least 51% representation of person’s age 60 or older and appointed by the local Councils on Aging.
ASAPs provide the following direct services: Information and Referral; interdisciplinary case management: intake, assessment, development and implementation of service plans; monitoring of service plans; and reassessment of needs; and Protective Services: investigations of abuse and neglect of elders.
Click on www.800AGEINFO.com/map for a listing of your local ASAP.
SOURCE: http://www.mass.gov
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SOURCE: http://www.planforcare.org
How important is social support as a person ages? This may seem like an easy question to answer. Most people would not choose isolation and loneliness versus spending time with companions. However, can lack of social support really hinder a person’s overall quality of life?
Lack of social support is related to negative impacts on health and well being, especially for older people. Having a variety of positive social supports can contribute to psychological and physical wellness of elderly individuals. Support from others can be important in reducing stress, increasing physical health and defeating psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.
When considering who provides social support for an elderly individual our first thoughts are of family members. While it is true that most support does come from family members, there are many circumstances in which family members cannot be supportive (stress due to responsibilities, illness, death, financial problems, job relocation). In the United States the fastest growing age group of individuals are those 85 years and older. Due to this fact, family supports will inevitable decrease for these older individuals. A need for community-based services is more important now then ever before.
Community-based services can be extremely useful for elderly individuals. Services for older persons can encompass many areas, but one of the most important areas as discussed previously is social support. Support for elderly persons can be found in many places including: senior centers, assisted living facilities, meal delivery, religious affiliations, adult day care centers, etc. These services can provide positive social supports that can help older persons defeat loneliness and isolation. However, social support must encompass more then physical presence or conversation. Studies have shown that social support services should contain quality activities. These activities should promote positive self-awareness.
Self-awareness is key to a person’s overall quality of life and satisfaction. Many leisure social activities can be used to help increase an individual’s self-awareness. Activities for elderly individuals may include reminiscence groups, journal writing, readings of favorite book passages, group exercise, singing groups, etc. Individuals may also feel more self-satisfied if they are part of the planning of social activities that take place.
Two of these community-based service centers that provide quality social support services for elderly individuals are discussed below.
Senior Citizen Centers
Today, there are estimated to be about 15,000 senior centers across the United States. Senior centers act as a focal point for older Americans to receive many aging services. The most common services offered at a senior center include health programs (including Zumba and Yoga), arts/humanities activities, intergenerational programs, employment assistance, community action opportunities, transportation services, volunteer opportunities, education opportunities, financial assistance, senior rights counseling/legal services, travel programs and meal programs. These programs and activities can help promote positive self-awareness.
Lori Beckle describes how participating in her local senior citizens center has given her the independence and life satisfaction she thought was lost when her husband died in 2009. “ I was devastated and so frightened for my future without Ed. He was my only friend and the one I turned to when I felt alone. My daughter invited me to attend our local senior center where a bereavement group was being held for those who had lost a loved one. I met Phyllis during the group and now I have a new friend I call when I become afraid. Phyllis has helped me develop the skills to get through the tough times and focus on my immediate happiness.”
Adult Day Care Centers
According to the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA), there are currently more than 4,600 adult day care centers nationwide. Adult day care is a program in which activities are provided to promote social support and health services to an older adult during the daytime. Most centers operate Monday through Friday during daytime hours. Social support services at an adult day care can consist of musical entertainment and singing groups, group games such as cards, gentle exercise, discussion groups (books, films, current events), holiday/birthday celebrations and local outings. Not only are these social activities provided, but participants of the program can also develop lasting relationships with staff and other participants. Adult day care centers also provide meals and health services. Adult day care centers differ from other programs for elderly individuals, because they allow the participants to develop and increase self-awareness by encouraging independence.
Amanda describes her experience as a volunteer at her local adult day care center. She stated, “ I was involved in planning the activities for Thursday afternoons. I wasn’t sure what kind of activities my older friends would enjoy so I had them share their favorite activities they participated in when they were my age (23). I soon realized that I was hearing the most fascinating stories of hopping trains, college dances, swimming in the lake, etc We decided Thursday afternoons would be spotlights of each individuals’ lives as a twenty-something. One of the participants told me that Thursdays became a highlight for her week.”
Adult Day Care Centers and Senior Citizen Centers help to provide an elderly individual the opportunity to participate in social support activities. Social support activities found in these programs can be beneficial to a person’s quality of life and overall satisfaction. With a higher self-awareness and quality of life an individual can reduce the risks of mental and physical health problems as they age.
SOURCE: http://www.planforcare.org
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By JoAnn Thibault
Where you can find a flu clinic in Massachusetts http://flu.masspro.org/clinic/ Protect yourself and your family by getting a flu shot, especially if you are at increased risk for complications from the flu, or live with or care for high-risk individuals.
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By JoAnn Thibault
Heat or Eat? You should not have to choose.
Massachusetts has resources available to those who are struggling to pay their heating bill.
If you have a Financial Hardship you are protected from having your electric or gas service shut off if;
1. you, or someone in your home, is seriously ill; or
2. you have an infant in the home under 12 months; or
3. it is between November 15 and March 15 and you need the service to heat your home; or
4. all adults in the home are age 65 or older and a minor child resides in the home.
A financial hardship exists when a customer is unable to pay an overdue bill and such customer meets income eligibility requirements for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (“LIHEAP”) administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
If you have a financial hardship, you should inform your utility company immediately. Your company will send you a certifying form. You will have seven days to return it to the Company with documentation supporting your need for protection.
If you are age 65 or older
Utility companies may not shut off service to households where all residents are 65 years or older without written approval from the Department of Public Utilities. If all residents of your household are over age 65, you should inform your utility company.
Assistance with your fuel bill:
There are a number of programs available. For the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development Energy Assistance Programs, call 1 (800) 632-8175.
If you are not eligible for fuel assistance, you may be eligible for help from the Salvation Army’s Good Neighbor Energy Fund, which offers one-time grants for eligible consumers. For more information about eligibility criteria and where to apply, please call 1 (800) 334-3047 in area codes 617/508/781/978 or 1 (800) 262-1320 in area code 413.
Citizens Energy heat assistance programs give financial help to low-income Massachusetts residents who cannot afford to pay their heating bills. Citizens Energy has a program for people who use heating oil, and a program for people who heat with natural gas. The Oil Heat Program gives a voucher for free heating oil to low-income families and elderly residents of Massachusetts. The Citizens Energy Distrigas program gives a gas bill credit to eligible Massachusetts households who heat with natural gas.
Contact: The Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulations – Click Here or call: (617) 973-8787 / or Mass Energy Assistance for Residents of Massachusetts – Click Here or Call: 1-800-632-8175
SOURCE: LIHEAP Fuel Assistance in Massachusetts
SOURCE: Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED)
SOURCE: Mass Energy Assistance for Massachusetts Residents
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By JoAnn Thibault
As long as we are still on this earth, we age. There is nothing we can do about it. So let’s face the facts and embrace the aging process!
When I was 15 years old, the thought of being 20 was exciting and so far, far away. When I was 20 years old, the thought of 30 was scary and so far, far away. When I was 30 years old, the thought of 40 was a career shattering awakening, and (not) so far, far away. Now I am 44 and the thought of 50, 60 or 70 is not so scary, not such an awakening, but a reality (not) so far, far away.
Instead of dread – let’s embrace. The reality of it is, at any age – you are only as old as you actually feel, and most of us, feel the same, year after year. The number of years we are on this earth should be considered for only two things: 1. Knowledge, and 2. Experience.
Therefore, let’s suck up as much knowledge and experience as we can while we are here. The good, the bad and the ugly. It’s never too late for continuing education. Either from school or (better yet) from our community and peers. My mother once told me that “everyone should learn something new every day”. And that makes perfect sense! How can we grow if we don’t learn?
If we are not getting older ….. we are dead. So let us embrace aging – and let’s make it a great process! Let’s stay well educated. Let’s stay healthy. Let’s stay enthusiastic and involved. For we are the 77% of all financial assets in America! We are the majority!
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