Resources

General Community Resources:

Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging

Toll Free: (800) 244-3032 or (508) 852-5539

360 West Boylston Street, West Boylston, MA 01583

Website: http://www.seniorconnection.org/  or send email to CMAAging@SeniorConnection.org

Elder Abuse Hotline

TEL: (800) 922-2275 or 

Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5:00, call  TEL: 800-286-6640 OR 508-949-6640 and request to speak with the Protective Sevices department.

Executive Office of Elder Affairs 

Website: http://www.mass.gov/elders/

Tel: (617) 727-7750

Tri-Valley, Inc.

TEL: (800) 286-6640 or 508-949-6640

TDD: (508) 949-6651 10 Mill Street, Dudley, MA 01571

Website:  https://www.trivalleyinc.org/

Send email to info@tves.org 

Senior Health Resource Line

TEL: (800) 939-5433

TDD: (508) 368-9560

Office of the Attorney General

Website: http://www.mass.gov/ago/

Tel: 1-888-AGELDER (243-5337)

Savvy Seniors: How to Avoid Financial Scams

Guide from the Attorney General's Office on what to look out for and how to avoid financial scams

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/04/10/Savvy%20Senior%20Guide_2...

Social Security Online

Offers a variety of online service that allow people to access information and conduct business with the Social Security Administration; for example, Benefit Eligibility Screening, Change of Address, Medicare Card Replacement, Benefit Verification, Replacement Form SSA-1099, Office Locator, Interpreter Services, and Social Security eNews.

Website: https://www.ssa.gov/

Tel: (800) 772-1213

MASS 211: 

Direction to health, human services and emergency resources for all, including families and veterans.

Website: http://mass211.org/

Tel: Dial 211

Resources for Caregivers:

Caregivers Support:

Counseling, training, and respite support, among other services, for family caregivers.

Website: https://800ageinfo.com

Tel: 1-800ageinfo (1-800-243-4636)

Caregivers Guide:

A guide/resource for professionals, family members, and any form of caregiver to assist in coping with stress and burnout

Website: https://www.caring.com/caregivers/burnout/

Health and Insurance Information:

Medicare:

Health insurance program for people age 65 and older and those individuals with disabilities.

Website: https://www.medicare.gov/

Tel: 1-800-medicare (1-800-633-4227)

Medicare Guide for Nursing Home Care - https://www.medicareplans.com/nursing-home-eligibility-benefits-guide/#w...

Medicare Guide for Beginner's - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-UMhmG3qzp-ovAYAsfX_sxGL82sXY0c-/view

Mass Health (Medicaid): State-managed federal program of income and category-based health insurance.

Website: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/

Tel: (800) 841-2900

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone): 

No cost health insurance counseling for eligible Medicare recipients of all ages.

Website: shine.ma.org

Tel: (800)ageinfo (1-800-243-4636, Select 3)

Prescription Advantage:

State program to assist individuals with Medicare with affording prescriptions. This program will provide financial assistance when an individual has reached the "donut hole".

Website: www.prescriptionadvantagema.org

Tel: (800) 243-4636

MCPHS Outreach Program: 

A team of case managers, licensed pharmacists and students, will provide information about how to reduce the cost of medications through state and federal assistance and pharmaceutical programs. They will also provide medication therapy management and help you understand your Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Website: Pharmacy Outreach Program | MCPHS

Tel: (866) 633-1617

Housing Information:

Housing Authorities: 

Local agencies responsible for subsidized (income-based) housing in state.

Shelters: 

Emergency housing for individuals and families.

Website: http://www.mass.gov/hed/economic/

Contact: Local housing authorities and/or local police departments for sources.

Rental Assistance Program:

Apply for rental assistance through RCAP Solutions

Website: https://www.rcapsolutions.org/hcec-application/

Nutrition and Meals:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP program)/ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT program): 

Providing assistance to low income individuals and families for nutritional needs.

Website: https://www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-formerly-food-stamps

Tel: (877) 382-2363

Elderly Nutrition Program: 

Various programs, including Meals-on-Wheels, are available statewide.

Website: https://800ageinfo.com

Tel: 1-800-ageinfo (1800-243-4636)

Food Pantries: 

Resources for free food for low income individuals and families

Website: http://www.foodpantries.org/st/massachusetts

Taxes and Legal Assistance:

Tax Assistance:

Free tax preparation assistance for all low-moderate income individuals regardless of age.

Tel: 1-888-OURAARP (1-888-687-2277)

Legal Aid: 

Assists seniors and low income individuals with legal matters.

Website: http://www.masslegalhelp.org/

** The list of Elder Law Attorneys is attached to the bottom of this page **

Mass Bar Association:

2022 Elder Law Education Guide available on the website including but not limited to information on Veteran's Affairs Financial Benefits, Community Medicaid (MassHealth) Benefits, Reverse Mortgages, Medicare, Long-Term Care Insurance, Homestead and Life Estate, and What to Consider when Planning for Retirement.

Website: https://massbar.org/public/elder-law-education

** The Elder Law Education Guide is attached to the bottom of this page **

Healthcare Supplies and Medical Equipment:

CHARM Medical: 

Provides incontinence supplies (depends, pads, bed liners), nutritional products (ensure and boost), urological supplies, compression stockings, and lift chairs. Bills directly to insurances such as medicaid and medicare as well as private insurances. 

Tel: (877) 942-4276

Website: www.charmmedical.com

DME ReQuipment: 

A reuse program that offers free, refurbished wheelchairs, scooters, shower chairs, and more, to adults, children, and elders living in MA.

Website: www.dmerequipment.org

MedicalAlert:

According to the CDC, falls among older adults are extremely common, with an estimated 3 million older adults treated for fall injuries in the U.S. every year. An estimated 35,400 of fall injuries in people over 65 resulted in death in 2019, making falls the leading cause of injury death for this group. Justifiably so, caregivers are worried about fall prevention.

A medical alert device is a valuable tool to help seniors receive the help they need if a fall or other emergency occurs. For this reason, MedicalAlert came up with a resource to help aging adults and their caregivers learn about the best medical alert companies and devices to help them make an informed decision and find a medical alert system that best fits their needs.

Website: https://www.medicalalert.org/best-medical-alert-systems/

Lifeline: 

Philips Lifeline is the #1 medical alert service in the US today. Their medical alert services offer a variety of options including personal emergency response systems (PERS) for at home and on the go. Response centers are open 24/7. Lifeline has award-winning customer service. Sign up today by calling 800-543-3546 Ext. 2. Discount codes on initial installation are available. 

Website: https://www.lifeline.com/

** The Lifeline Brochure is attached at the bottom of this page **

Discount Programs:

National Grid Low Income Discount Rate: 

If you qualify for other means tested programs, you will most likely qualify for this program. You can save a percentage off your energy bill if you qualify. 

Website: www.nationalgridus.com/Discount-Rate-App-MA

Good Neighbor Energy Fund: 

A short-term financial assistance program offered to those who do not qualify for federal or state energy assistance funds. This program is funded by the Salvation Army. In order to apply for this program, speak with your outreach coordinator. Find more information about this program from the website below.

Website: www.magoodneighbor.org

Lifeline: 

Apply online to receive a free phone through the government which also comes with free data. If you need assistance applying, ask the outreach coordinator.

Website: www.safelinkwireless.com

Affordable Connectivity Plan: 

This program provides you with a percentage off of your monthly internet bill. Most contracted companies are providing 30% off. In order to qualify, you must either be enrolled in another means tested program (i.e. SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Lifeline) or your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/?utm_source=www.getinternet.gov

Fuel Assistance:

SMOC (Fuel Assistance):

Framingham Office

Website: http://smoc.org/

Call (508) 620-1230 or (800) 286-6776 for more info. 

FAX: (508) 620-2361

Joe-4-Oil Heat Program 

Offers free heating oil to people who can't afford to pay their heating bills. Each eligible household can receive a one-time delivery per heating season of 100 gallons of home heating oil, free of charge.

Tel:  (877) 563-4645

Salvation Army Good Neighbor Energy Fund

The Salvation Army's Good Neighbor Energy Fund offers one-time grants for eligible consumers. The Fund is available to any Massachusetts resident who cannot meet a month's energy expense because of temporary financial difficulty and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance. To be eligible, your income must fall between 60 and 80 percent of the state's median income levels.

Tel: (800) 334-3047

Mental Health Resources:

EMHOT Program (Elder Mental Health Outreach Team)

This program is funded by MCOA (Massachusetts Council on Aging) and is available to adults 60 and older. This program is designed to provide information, treatment, support, and resources to residents free of charge. This program is not designed to provide emergency mental health care. Referrals can be placed through the Outreach Coordinator or on your own by contacting Gail Bourassa, counselor. Her office is located at the Bellingham Senior Center: 40 Blackstone Street, Blackstone, MA.

Tel: (508) 657-2791

Email: gbourassa@bellinghamma.org 

Call-2-Talk

Call2Talk is a mental health, emotional support, and suicide prevention program run by Mass211. It operates 24/7 and provides confidential, compassionate listening to assist people – including those who may be despondent or considering suicide – during stressful times. Call2Talk is a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center and partners with Crisis Text Line to respond to people by text.

Tel: 1-800-273-TALK OR 1-800-273-8255 / 508-532-2255 • 413-505-5111 / 211 ext. 25 or text C2T to 741741

Website: https://mass211-prod.oneeach.dev/Call2Talk