Eldercare
Dealing with the challenges of eldercare can be complicated and overwhelming for all involved. Below are some links to some helpful eldercare resources. Please contact the Employee Assistance Program at 866-724-4327 if you need further assistance in managing eldercare issues.
EAP News & Webinars
- Helping Families Navigate Elder Transitions
- Webinar – Changing Relationships: You and Your Aging Parents
Every first Wednesday of the month
Drop-in any time after 12:00 pm
This ten session, online series is designed as a “drop-in” group to foster a safe and supportive venue for MGB employees. Participants can share concerns, discuss self-care and resources, and hear from professional speakers about managing the unique challenges of caring for aging loved ones. This group will be run via Zoom.
Presented and moderated by Owen Wyatt, LMHC, EAP Consultant
Please note: your registration link gives you access to all ten meetings.
Massachusetts
- Mass Options – Connection to Local Eldercare Services
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) – Massachusetts Site
- Fenway Health – LGBT Aging Project
New Hampshire
National
One of the biggest challenges throughout aging, relates to finding the best housing situation to match the needs of seniors at a given time. The resources below provide information to help seniors and family members navigate this process.
General Resources
- Daily Caring – Understanding Senior Housing Options
- Daily Caring – Senior Housing Information
- Offering from MGB:
The Years Ahead free online platform, available through Bright Horizons, connects you with elder care tools and resources — including elder care planning and referrals. You can search a nationwide network of senior care providers that includes in-home agencies, independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, memory care and nursing homes. Access this benefit via: Mass General Brigham Benefits | Bright Horizons. Customer support is available by email at support@yearsahead.com or by phone at (877) 719-3056. Support hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT.
Living at Home
- Caring – Home Care Resources
- Massachusetts – Aging Service Access Points (ASAPs)
- Visiting Nurse Associations – in-home Healthcare Supports
- Beacon Hill Village – Helping Elders Live Independently
Home Safety & Accessibility
Assisted Living
- Caring – Guidance for Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
- MA.Gov – State-Certified Assisted Living Facilities
Long-term Care
Health Insurance
- Boomerbenefits – Medicare Basics
- Healthinsurance.org – Understanding Medicare in Massachusetts
- Medicare.Gov – Medicare Plan Finder
- Mass.Gov – Senior Guide & Application for Mass Health & Connector Plans
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
- Medicare.Gov – Medicare Advantage Plans
- Medicare.Gov – Medigap Insurance Information
- Medicare.Gov – Prescription Drug Coverage
Social Security
- Social Security
1-800-772-1213
General Resources
- Family Caregiver Alliance
- Caring
- AARP Resources for Caregivers
- Archangels – Supports for Caregivers
- Daily Caring – Caregiver Supports
- Caregiver Action Network
- AARP – How to assess when an Older Adult requires Caregiving Assistance
- NH Dep of Health and Human Services – Family Caregiver Support Services
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care Supports
Understanding Healthcare System Care Settings
- Very Well Health – Information of Levels of Care
- Aging Care – What you need to know about Rehabilitation
Financial Information for Caregivers
Care management professionals help family members and their elder relatives navigate the health care system and community agencies. These services are especially helpful when geography, schedules, knowledge base or family dynamics, do not permit family members to provide this role.
In the event of a serious or chronic medical situation, it is helpful to have a plan in place to ensure that all of your needs and wishes are met. While this is a difficult concept for many of us to think about, this is the best way to help family, friends and medical providers assist you. Below you will find some helpful guidance.
- Massachusetts Medical Society – MA Health Care Proxy Forms and Information
- Medicare Interactive – Overview of Living Wills, Health Care Proxies, Advance Directives, and Powers of Attorney
- MetLife – Free Will Preparation and Power of Attorney Service – For Eligible MGB Employees & Immediate Family Household Members
- Estate Planning
Local Care Consultation
Phone or video meetings with expert local care consultants
Virtual Support groups
Facilitator-led support groups for caregivers or for people living with early memory loss
Educational Programs
Information on topics for Alzheimer’s patients & family caregivers
- Alzheimer’s Association – NationalFree Bilingual & Translation Service Alzheimer’s Helpline
Confidential support and information for caregivers and people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias: 800-272-3900. - Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MADRC)
- National Institute for Aging – Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) – Resources and Referral for Caregivers
- MGH – Dementia Care Collaborative
- Memory Care for Veterans
- The Arthritis Foundation
American Cancer Society- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Foundation
- American Diabetes Association
- National Parkinson Foundation
- American Stroke Association
General Fraud Resources
- FTC – Information on Scams Targeted to Elders
- Mass.Gov – Protect Yourself & Loved ones from Financial Exploitation
- AARP – Scam and Fraud Resources
- Mass.Gov – Consumer Guides to Scams
Conversations about Scams
Where to Report Fraud or Get Help
- Immediate Steps to Respond to Fraud
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Elder Hotline
888 – 243-5337 - Federal Trade Commission
877-438-4338 - National Elder Fraud Hotline
833–372–8311 - AARP Fraud Hotline
877-908-3360 - FBI Internet Crime Division
Elder Abuse Information and Prevention
- Help Guide – Preventing, Recognizing and Addressing Elder Abuse
- Mass.Gov – Protect Yourself & Loved ones from Financial Exploitation
- Reporting Elder Abuse & Neglect in Massachusetts
- NH – Elder Abuse Resources
Finding an Elder-Law Attorney
- National Academy of Elder-Law Attorneys
- EAP Resources for Finding an Attorney
- Mass.Gov – Free Legal Assistance for Eligible Seniors
General Information
- Medicare.org – How to Talk with Seniors about their Driving
- AAA – Senior Driver Safety
- Mass.Gov – Information on Older Drivers
Driver Evaluation Programs
