Mass Home Care

In case you missed it...
Earlier this fall, the ReiMAgine Aging podcast series was released, and the series is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, as well as online at reimagineaging.net. Each episode tackles an important issue: transportation, housing, dementia-friendly initiatives, nutrition, digital equity, and combatting ageism. Listen to the stories and learn about some of the great programs that Massachusetts communities and organizations are involved with!

ReiMAgine Aging - Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative ReiMAgine Aging About This Series The podcast series, ReiMAgine Aging, tells the story of the age- and dementia-friendly movement taking place across Massachusetts. The Commonwealth joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2018. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Af...

Only a few days left to bid on a fantastic array of great holiday gifts for someone on your list (or for yourself!)! AND, you can support a great cause at the same time!

Are you ready to start your holiday shopping? We have gifts for everyone on your list, including earrings from Kendra Scott, gift baskets from New England Coffee and Tastefully Simple, Inc., socks from Notes to Self Socks, a stay with Maine Forest Yurts, a bag from Wander & Perch, a cheese box from Cabot Creamery Cooperative, and gift certificates from Whitelam Books, Bedford Car Wash, and Cardi's Furniture & Mattresses in Swansea.
Visit www.BiddingForGood.com/MinutemanSenior to place a bid now.

Sharing two upcoming in-person events which may be of interest to our Boston-area network and followers:

"Ready, Set, Action! Achieving A Racially and Ethnically Equitable Health Care Delivery System in MA” featuring key findings from a forthcoming report focused on developing a vision and action plan for achieving a racially and ethnically equitable health care delivery system in Massachusetts.
[Hosted by Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation]
When: Wednesday, December 13th from 8:30am to 11:30am
Where: The Colonnade Hotel in Boston
REGISTER HERE: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ek2ta9svdda9952c&oseq=&c=&ch=

“Care Collaboration Conference” bringing together thought leaders and providers from both acute and post-acute care organizations in Massachusetts to discuss timely and important challenges and solutions in transitions of care and how collaboration can be enhanced across the care continuum.
[Hosted by The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association]
When: Thursday, December 14th from 8:30am-11:00am
Where: Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association Conference Center in Burlington
REGISTER HERE: https://pointclickcare.com/events/care-collaboration-conference-boston/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=promotion&utm_campaign=FY24-Q1-DRE-CCEBOS-EM1B-SNC-AAP-HHS-SNF-HHS-NL-UP-DCM-EM-US&pcc_utm=FY24-Q1-DRE-CCEBOS-EM1B-SNC-AAP-HHS-SNF-HHS-NL-UP-DCM-EM-US&utm_id=FY24-Q1-DRE-CCEBOS-EM1B-SNC-AAP-HHS-SNF-HHS-NL-UP-DCM-EM-US

Check out this article covering the local Meals on Wheels programs on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. It highlights the incredible importance and value of these programs - locally, statewide, and across the country:

“People come here and try our food, and they are taken aback by how awesome our food is.”

“But even better than the food are the nourishing relationships that develop between the volunteers and Meals on Wheels subscribers.”

“We can provide Meals on Wheels for one person for an entire year for roughly the same cost of one day in a hospital, or 10 days in a nursing home. So why not invest in Meals on Wheels feeding people, which improves health, saves lives, and saves money? The economic savings alone makes the case for us.”

Nonprofit Notebook: Meals on Wheels - The Martha's Vineyard Times Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, the Meals on Wheels network delivers more than 251 million meals each year to 2.2 million older Americans. Last year, on Martha’s Vineyard, 60 volunteer drivers (with 40 backup drivers) delivered 42,079 meals. “All these people driving food around make i...

Congratulations to Rachelle McGill at Mystic Valley Elder Services and all of the exceptional advocates and caregivers honored at this event!

November 2023 is Family Caregivers Month, and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs has compiled a list of all family caregiver support groups throughout Massachusetts.
Visit their website to learn more!

Support Groups for Family Caregivers Connect with other family caregivers by joining an in-person or virtual support group hosted by Family Caregiver Support Program staff

Our friends at AgeSpan recently launched their 50th anniversary campaign on Pavilion Field at Riverwalk to bring awareness to aging across the Merrimack Valley and North Shore. The "50th on the Field" event celebrated their more than 500 staff members, and commemorated the signing of a new lease and 10-year commitment to the City of Lawrence!

AgeSpan 50 on the Field AgeSpan kicked off its 50th anniversary campaign on Pavilion Field at Riverwalk to bring awareness to aging across the Merrimack Valley and North Shore.

We're pleased to see an editorial in today's Boston Globe in support of An Act Allowing Spouses to Serve as Caregivers (S. 67 / H. 216)!
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/11/14/opinion/spouse-care-giver-masshealth-family-health-aide/

November is Family Caregivers Month, and the Caring for the Caregiver webinar series is a great resource, providing simple, practical solutions to family caregivers throughout Massachusetts. Coming up this Wednesday Nov 15th: "Financial Wellness for Family Caregivers". You can also access past webinars with valuable information on self-care for caregivers, ambiguous loss, and much more!

Caring for the Caregiver Webinar Series The Caring for the Caregiver webinar series brings simple, practical solutions to family caregivers throughout Massachusetts.

Think about how much the cost of almost everything has gone up in only the past few years - never mind since 2007! - and then imagine if your budget for personal items hadn’t increased in 16 years. Please take a moment to call or write to your state representatives to ask them to support H.626 and to advocate for a COLA amendment!

My Turn: Help out long-term care facility residents For the first time in 16 years, there is a chance some residents of long-term care facilities could get their Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase. Bill H.626, introduced last January by Rep. Sean Garballey, D-23rd...

This powerful video created by the team at LifePath incorporates perspectives from home care clients, direct caregivers, and agency staff on the vital importance of enabling older adults to age in place at home, and how this has been impacted by the current workforce crisis. Our direct care workers “need to be recognized, compensated, and supported… the system needs to change!”

Reimagining Care: A LifePath Call to Action, 12/10/2021

With over one million people in Massachusetts providing caregiving support for their family, friends, and neighbors, Governor Healey has proclaimed November 2023 to be Family Caregivers Month! Visit your local Aging Services Access Point (https://masshomecare.info/wp/our-members-3/) or the MassOptions website (https://www.massoptions.org/) to learn about the wide variety of programs available to support family caregivers, as well as how to access these resources in your area.

Thank you to the Cape Cod Times for this article highlighting the critical importance of An Act Allowing Spouses to Serve as Caregivers (S. 67 / H. 216).

Now would be a great time to reach out to your elected officials to show your support for this legislation and for family caregivers!
Not sure who represents you in the Statehouse? Use this link to search by your home address: https://lnkd.in/eDJhQuG

Sounds like a great event tomorrow!! 🐕🍻🐈‍⬛

There's still time to get your tickets and support our Power of Pets Program at BareWolf Brewing on Wednesday, 11/1, from 5 to 8 p.m. Power of Pets helps people pay up to $300 annually for veterinary care.
Tickets cost $15 each for one craft beer, appetizers, and raffle prizes. Dogs are welcome!
Sweet Paws Rescue is hosting an adult dog meet & greet/adoption event.
Click here for tickets or to donate: https://ow.ly/xT0h50Q2a6Y Tickets will also be available at the door.

We're pleased to announce that Mass Home Care has added Ellen Taintor to our team as our new Assistant Director!

Another thank you to Chairman Tom Stanley and the MA Legislature for supporting in their FY23 budget

FY23 Budget Highlight: SHINE Benefits Counseling Program

The FY23 budget includes a $1 million appropriation for the Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) program.

SHINE provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to all residents with Medicare and their caregivers.

Individuals who have Medicare or who are about to become eligible for Medicare may meet with a counselor to learn more about what health insurance benefits and options are available to them. Counselors will also review programs that help people with limited income to pay health care costs. To find a local SHINE counselor and schedule an appointment, call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636

Big thank you goes out to Mass Home Care and to the Massachusetts Councils on Aging for not only advocating for SHINE but for providing this service in communities across the Commonwealth! This funding specifically helps our Councils on Aging and Aging Service Access Points (ASAPs) administer SHINE.

Thank you Chairman Tom Stanley for advocating for additional funding to support Elder Supportive Housing in the

FY23 Highlight: Elder Supportive Housing Sites

The FY23 Budget provides nearly $8 million for supportive senior housing programs across the Commonwealth.

There are 41 Supportive Housing sites around the state with 6,060 units available providing residents with private apartments including a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen/dining area. Each site features a Supportive Housing Coordinator who provides tenancy preservation support and manages on-site 24/7 emergency coverage.

This funding ensures that our Aging Service Access Points (ASAPs) continue the program's expansion that begun in FY21 so more seniors have access to these services! Thank you Mass Home Care for advocating for this critical funding!!

For more information on Elder Supportive Housing and how to apply, visit: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/supportive-housing-eligibility