Worcester Senior AdvisorWho helps older adults in Worcester County for free?
Each town's Aging Services Access Point (Elder Services of Worcester Area, Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts, Tri-Valley, Springwell, LifePath or Minuteman), the town council on aging or senior center, SHINE health insurance counselors, and MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636.
The ASAP provides free in-home assessments and arranges home care programs.
Where do I report elder abuse in Massachusetts?
Call Adult Protective Services at (800) 922-2275, 24 hours a day, for an adult 60 or older living in the community; reports can be anonymous by phone.
Abuse by nursing home or hospital staff goes to DPH at (800) 462-5540.
Where do I complain about an assisted living residence?
Email AGE's ALR Consumer Help at ALRhelp@mass.gov with the ALR complaint form, or mail it to AGE's Assisted Living Certification Unit in Boston.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can also help residents resolve problems.
Where do I complain about a nursing home?
Call the Department of Public Health's 24-hour complaint line at (800) 462-5540, or send DPH's complaint form by fax or mail.
Include a signed HIPAA release if you are not the resident or their legal representative.
Is there a PACE program in Worcester County?
Yes: Fallon Health's Summit ElderCare runs PACE centers in Worcester, Leominster and Webster; call Fallon Health at 1-800-868-5200.
PACE serves people 55 and older who need a nursing-home level of care.
Who helps veterans with care costs?
Your city or town veterans' services officer and accredited VA representatives help with VA pension and Aid and Attendance at no cost; the VA's benefits line is 1-800-827-1000.
Avoid anyone who charges to prepare an initial claim.
Where can we get free Medicare counseling?
SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselors offer free, unbiased Medicare counseling, usually through councils on aging and senior centers; MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 can connect you.
Open enrollment each fall is the busiest time, so book early.
Who helps with legal planning?
Massachusetts elder law attorneys handle MassHealth planning, health care proxies and powers of attorney; low-income seniors may qualify for free help from legal services programs.
Ask the council on aging for local referrals.
What does a council on aging do?
Every Massachusetts city and town has a council on aging, usually run from the senior center, offering transportation, meals, fitness and social programs, SHINE counseling and help finding local services.
It is often the quickest local starting point before calling the Aging Services Access Point.
