O6 Protective Services Program
O9 Legal Services Program for the Elderly
O12 Congregate Housing Program
O14 Coordinating Aging Rehabilitation Disability Services Project
O15 Intergenerational Initiatives
O6 Protective Services Program
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Elder Abuse Hotline V/TTY Toll Free: 1-800-922-2275 (24/7 within Mass. only)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
Protective Services Program investigates and, when appropriate, intervenes in cases where there is evidence that an elder has been neglected, abused or financially exploited by someone in a domestic setting. The protective services system is anchored by a 24 hour, seven day a week emergency hotline. It is empowered by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 19A to take steps that ensure that elder victims of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation receive protective and supportive services. Elders must consent to services, but in situations where an elder lacks the capacity to provide consent, court ordered services are provided.
O7 Elders at Risk (EAR) Program
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-872-0166 (within Mass. only)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs contracts with twenty-two (22) non-profit agencies throughout the Commonwealth to provide problem focused and goal oriented casework services to elders who are considered to be seriously at risk. These individuals are no longer able to meet essential needs for food, clothing, shelter, personal care, or medical care due to physical and/or mental impairments, substance abuse, or other serious problems, preventing them from remaining safely in the community without intervention. Unlike the Protective Services Program, the EAR program does not require the presence of an abusive or neglectful caregiver in order for services to be provided.
O8 Guardianship Program
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-872-0166 (within Mass. only)
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs contracts with seven (7) agencies to provide Guardianship services to elders who have been abused and a court has determined to be at risk or harm, and to lack decision-making capacity. The primary objective is to act as an adjunct to protective services when no other less restrictive means are available to protect elders who are lacking the capacity to consent to services.
O9 Legal Services Program for the Elderly
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-872-0166 (within Mass. only)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
Under Title III of the Older Americans Act, federal funding is provided through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and regional Area Agencies on Aging to eleven Legal Assistance Program Grantees for the Elderly. These programs provide free legal assistance to people sixty years of age and older in civil matters, prioritizing those elders in the greatest economic and social need. Although each Legal Assistance office establishes its own case priorities with its Area Agency on Aging, the following types of cases are generally handled on behalf of elderly clients: Denials or terminations of government benefits such as Medicaid, Social Security, SSI, Veteran's Benefits), tenant's rights issues including defense against eviction), denials of applications to public and subsidized housing, defense against unwarranted guardianships or conservatorships, and nursing home residents' rights.
O10 Nutrition Program
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-872-0166 (within Mass. only)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
The Massachusetts Nutrition Program is the second largest program operated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Twenty-eight (28) nutrition projects, located throughout the Commonwealth, serve eight million meals to elders each year. Meals are provided at congregate meal sites as well as to homebound elders. Additionally, the Nutrition Screening Counseling program operates a commodity foods program, a homeless elder meals program and sponsors a variety of nutrition education programs.
O11 Home Care Program
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-872-0166 (within Mass. only)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
The Home Care Program is administered throughout the Commonwealth through contracts with 27 private non-profit corporations called Aging Services Access Points (ASAPS). The ASAPs provide case management services that include a comprehensive, interdisciplinary needs assessment and care plan. ASAPs contract with a variety of service providers to address the identified needs of eligible elders in the Home Care Program. These services may include: homemaker, personal care, transportation, home delivered meals, laundry service, grocery shopping services, adult day care, chore services, companionship, personal emergency response, adaptive housing, and emergency shelter.
O12 Congregate Housing Program
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-872-0166 (within Mass. only)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
The Congregate Housing program provides residences that offer a shared living environment where elders can maintain their independence and "age-in-place" in a home-like setting with supportive services. Jointly sponsored by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, there are currently almost 900 units statewide offering a model residential alternative integrating shelter and support services. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs has extended the concept by arranging for extended service options through ASAPs.
O13 Title III Unit Oversight
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-872-0166 (within Mass. only)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs is responsible for monitoring and oversight of Title III of the Older Americans Act. This Act provides federal funding for social services to elders. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs oversees the coordination of planning activities of the 23 Area Agencies on Aging and the development of the State Plan that is submitted to and approved by the Federal Agency on Aging.
O14 Coordinating Aging Rehabilitation Disability Services
(CARDS) Project
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place, Room 517
Boston, MA 02108
Toll Free: 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636 nationwide)
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-872-0166 (within Mass. only)
Fax: (617) 727-9368
www.800ageinfo.com/
E-mail: information.resources@state.ma.us
The CARDS Project develops initiatives to address the needs of elders with disabilities. These initiatives include project design around issues such as assistive technology, support services and access, as well as the development of interagency objectives and networking. The CARDS Project staff provide disability and elder issues training for both consumers and service providers.
O15 Intergenerational Initiatives
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs supports efforts to promote intergenerational programs and services to enhance quality of life throughout the life span. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs is working with other state agencies and social service organizations to promote literacy programs and train volunteers. In addition, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs facilitates monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Grandparent Resource Network and offers a resource guide and information and referral services to all members of grandparent-headed families.