O2 Assisted Living/Nursing Homes
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Tel: (617) 727-7750
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs certifies Assisted Living Residences (ALRs). Assisted Living refers to a combination of housing and supportive services including personal care (such as bathing and dressing) and household management (such as meals and housekeeping). Assisted Living is a residential option which stresses privacy, dignity, autonomy, and individuality. There are 100 Assisted Living Residences across the Commonwealth with others still under construction. ALRs vary in size and style ranging from small apartments to larger family style units. Some serve under 10 residents while others serve over 100 residents. Some ALRs are non-profit organizations, some have religious affiliations and some have units or wings to address the needs of special populations such as residents with Alzheimer's Disease. While the majority of Assisted Living residents pay privately some facilities do accept Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) payments from Medicaid. For a list of the Assisted Living Residences which accept GAFC payments, contact the Division of Medical Assistance at (617) 210-5000. A Consumer Guide to Assisted Living in Massachusetts, containing information to assist in choosing an assisted living facility is available.
Assisted Living Ombudsman Program:
The purpose of the Assisted Living Ombudsman Program is to maintain or improve the quality
of life for assisted living residents in the areas of health, safety, welfare or resident
rights. The Assisted Living Ombudsman acts as a mediator and attempts to resolve problems
or conflicts that arise between an assisted living facility and one or more of its
residents. The Ombudsman serves as an advocate for resident rights, promoting the dignity,
autonomy and respect of residents. Assisted Living residents and their families may call
the Assisted Living Ombudsman Program for information and assistance, to register a
complaint or to have a complaint investigated. Complaints may be brought on behalf of a
specific resident or on behalf of residents as a whole.
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program:
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program was developed to assist residents of nursing and rest homes.
Services include: complaint investigation and resolution; information and referral; and
advocacy for change in the long term care system. The program provides training and
assignment of volunteer ombudsmen to facilities to enable the access of services to all
nursing and rest home residents. The program is operated through 24 local designated agencies to
facilitate access to all nursing and rest home residents. Information on selecting a
nursing home is available. The program works closely with the Department of Public
Health's Division of Health Care Quality in resolving issues and concerns. The Department of Public Health's
Division of Health Care Quality has developed a resource called Nursing Home
Report Cards, to help consumers make educated and informed decisions about the
availability of nursing home residency. The New Nursing Home Report Cards use 44 federal
minimal standards to help measure the care provided at nearly 600 certified nursing care
facilities across Massachusetts. The rating system is accessible and user-friendly.