There are many online resources for elders and their families. We’ve selected those sites most likely to provide you with a good overview of national, state, and local programs and services as well as some resources for common medical concerns.
Federal Agencies
Medicare
www.medicare.gov
The federal government’s Medicare website includes specifics about Medicare, nursing home information and comparisons, and links to evaluate Medicare D prescription insurance options.
1-800-633-4227
TTY/TDD 1-877-486-2048
Veterans Administration
www.va.gov
Descriptions of programs and services as well as application forms.
National Programs and Services
Aging Life Care Association® (ALCA)
www.aginglifecare.org
Website includes guidelines for selecting and hiring an Aging Life Care Manager® (ALCM), as well as a search function to locate ALCM’s throughout the U.S. Other resources include blog posts, white papers and eBooks on aging and caregiver issues.
American Association of Retired Persons
www.aarp.org
A broad array of information of interest to elders and families, particularly regarding health care issues.
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
www.naela.org
Overview of elder law and a search function to locate an elder law attorney across the country.
Massachusetts Programs and Services
Aging Life Care Association® New England Chapter
www.aginglifecarene.org
Website for New England Chapter of the National Aging Life Care Association® includes a directory of members in the six-state region, in addition to information about care management.
Alzheimer’s Association, Mass./N.H. Chapter
www.alz.org/manh
One of the most active chapters in the country, offering a wide range of educational programs, support groups, publications and advocacy activities throughout the two-state region. The Chapter also sponsors several local offices, including one here in Central Massachusetts.
American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
Information and Referral Center/Mass.Chapter
www.apdama.org
APDA’s Massachusetts Chapter website lists support groups, classes and events throughout the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
www.mass.gov
The official state website includes a wealth of information regarding programs and services – though it takes some digging to find. For information concerning elders, search keywords within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) or Department of Public Health (DPH) subsites. Of special note: The DPH site has a “nursing home report card” with results on annual state surveys of nursing homes in Massachusetts as well as guidelines for choosing a nursing home. See website link below:
https://www.mass.gov/guides/nursing-home-survey-performance-tool
Attorney General Elder Hotline
www.mass.gov/service-details/the-attorney-generals-elder-hotline
Provides statewide information on elder related issues and programs such as debt and debt collection practices, health insurance, home improvement, landlord/tenant issues, long-term-care insurance, same awareness and telemarketing.
1-888-243-5337
TTY: 1-617-727-4765
Health Care for All
hcfama.org
For assistance in enrolling in free or low income programs. Spanish and Portuguese assistance available.
1-800-272-4232
Honoring Choices Massachusetts
www.honoringchoicesmass.com
Brings together information, tools and community resources to help adults and families create a personal health plan and connect to quality medical care that honors their values and choices throughout their lives.
Hospice and Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts
www.hospicefed.org
A guide for hospice and palliative care services available across the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts Assisted Living Association
http://mass-ala.org/
Useful information about assisted living facilities, a search function for finding a facility in the Commonwealth, and Massachusetts regulations.
Massachusetts Chapter, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
http://www.massnaela.com
Website includes information for the general public as well as a search engine to identify a Massachusetts elder law attorney.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Pharmacy Outreach Program
www.mcphs.edu/patient-clinics/pharmacy-outreach-program
A program of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the Pharmacy Outreach Program offers information on medications, prescription drug insurance and more.
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA)
www.mass.gov/elders
Develops and manages services for elders and disabled through network elder and disabilities agencies and programs.
1-800-243-4636
Report elder abuse, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect by a caregiver, self-neglect and/or financial exploitation.
1-800-922-2275
Massachusetts Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)
www.molst-ma.org
Information regarding the process of seriously ill patients to more completely describe and document their wishes for care. When cosigned by the patient’s physician, this document is a medical order. Originally tested in Central Massachusetts, MOLST is now a statewide program managed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Mass Options
https://massoptions.org/
This overview of statewide elder resources focuses on services offered by the Massachusetts system of elder care for income-and-clinically-eligible elders.
Massachusetts Senior Care Association
www.maseniorcare.org
Website disseminates information regarding nursing homes in the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
www.masmp.org
Contact the Commonwealth’s SMP to protect, detect and report health care errors, fraud and abuse, or to schedule a free educational session.
1-800-892-0890
MassHealth
www.mass.gov/masshealth
Provides comprehensive health insurance or help in paying for private health insurance to more than 1 million Massachusetts children, families, seniors and people with disabilities.
1-800-841-2900
TTY: 1-800-497-4648
Prescription Advantage
www.mass.gov/prescription-drug-assistance
State prescription drug assistance program for seniors and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth. A division of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
1-800-243-4636 (press option 2).
Central Massachusetts Programs and Services
Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging
www.seniorconnection.org
A comprehensive listing of area organizations and services; also offers an on-line support group and a regularly published e-newsletter.
Elder Services of Worcester, Area, Inc.
www.eswa.org
Describes state-subsidized services and programs for elders in Central Worcester County.
Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts
www.agingservicesma.org
Covers state-subsidized services and programs for elders in Northern Worcester County.
TriValley Elder Services, Inc.
www.tves.org
Explains state-subsidized services and programs for elders in Southern Worcester County.
Medical Issues of Concern to Elders and Families
Alzheimer’s Association
www.alz.org
American Stroke Association
www.stroke.org
Arthritis Foundation
www.arthritis.org
LewyBody Dementia
www.lbda.org
National Parkinson Foundation
www.parkinson.org
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
www.theaftd.org/massachusetts/
Resources for Persons with Disabilities
The Arc of Massachusetts
www.thearcofmass.org
Information, education and advocacy for person with disabilities in the Commonwealth. Sign up on the homepage for email updates. Many resources listed under Community Services.
The Arc of the United States
www.thearc.org
A wealth of information about national public policy issues, including federal legislative priorities and position statements.
Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
www.mass.gov/dds
Basic, comprehensive reference for all state services for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Massachusetts Legislature
www.malegislature.gov
Find your local state representative or senator in the homepage search box; follow progress on key legislation affecting persons with disabilities.
Massachusetts Network of Information Providers
shriver.umassmed.edu/programs/
A project of the Shriver Center, within UMass Medical School, this comprehensive database enables you to find providers who can help with a wide range of disabilities near your home community.
Other Massachusetts Disabilities Web Resources
Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts
www.afamaction.org
Association for Developmental Disabilities Providers
www.addp.org
Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
www.wearemass.org
Massachusetts Developments Disabilities Council
www.mass.gov/mddc
Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change
massfamilies.org