The 10th Annual ElderFair Health and Wellness Expo for seniors and caregivers will be held on Tuesday, April 21st, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Healey School, 5 Meacham Street , Somerville , MA. The event will feature an exciting array of activities including health screenings, blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and physical activity demonstrations. Meet special guest Senator Pat Jehlen and Boston radio personality and Somerville Cable TV host Jimmy Del Ponte will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services holds ElderFair each year in honor of Older Americans. The daylong event features a free lunch, entertainment, door prizes from local businesses, and a raffle to benefit Meals-On-Wheels.
To reserve a lunch, call SCES at 617-628-2601 extension 618, and leave your name (please spell it), address, phone number and a choice of sandwich: Lobster Salad, Turkey or Vegetarian. Limited transportation is available. Let us know if you need a ride. Deadline to call is April 10th.
Showing posts with label caregiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caregiving. Show all posts
Monday, February 2, 2009
Friday, December 5, 2008
Tips From The Consumer Rights Unit
Be A Smart Consumer This Holiday Season
Avoid Seasonal Solicitations - Beware of those attractive low introductory rates you receive before the holidays. The fine print in credit card contracts is filled with traps to catch the unwary. An introductory 0% interest rate can quickly leap to over 20% with just one slightly late payment. If you are going to use a credit card, shop around for one with a long-term low interest rate (APR), and read on to find out what you're in for.
Don't Let Your Guard Down - Once you choose a card, your credit card company can still change the rules if it wants to – including the interest rate. Read your mail - a nondescript mailing may include a change in terms relating to your interest rates, fees or due dates. The company can even change your interest rate on debt you've already accumulated.
Rent-to-Own = Concealed Costs
Deceptive Deals - Rent-to-own contracts for appliance and other major purchases are deceptive and costly. You could pay two and one-half times more for a product by renting it than you would if you simply bought it at a retail store. In fact, the rent-to own outlets don't even tell you how much of your monthly payment is interest - so beware.
Don't Miss a Payment - If you do miss a payment to the rent-to-own store, the item is likely to be repossessed, leaving you with nothing for the payments you have made up to that point.
The Comeback of Layaway Plans
Paying Patiently - Layaway plans are a good way to give your credit card a rest. The good news is that stores usually do not charge interest or large fees for this service.
Know the Details - Before making a purchase on the layaway plan, find out what the layaway fees are and what happens if you miss or are late with a payment. Do you lose all of your past payments if you miss one? Is there a cancellation fee if you change your mind?
Debit Cards - The Pros and Cons
It's Your Money - With a debit card, you are spending money in your own bank account, unlike a credit card where you are borrowing money that you have to pay back later, along with interest and fees.
There's Less Protection - You have much less protection if a debit card is lost or stolen. Also, with a credit card, you have protections if you get in a dispute with a merchant.
Abusive Overdraft Fees - If you use a debit card to make purchases, make sure you don't spend more than you have in your account. Your purchases may be approved, but the bank can hit you with an overdraft fee of as much as $39 for EACH over-limit purchase, no matter how small. Many banks will automatically enroll you in an overdraft "protection" program where they'll approve your purchases at a store -- or a withdrawal at an ATM -- and then sock you with a hefty fee each time you make a purchase.
Sources: Americans For Fairness In Lending (AFFIL) , Greater Boston Legal Services
Avoid Seasonal Solicitations - Beware of those attractive low introductory rates you receive before the holidays. The fine print in credit card contracts is filled with traps to catch the unwary. An introductory 0% interest rate can quickly leap to over 20% with just one slightly late payment. If you are going to use a credit card, shop around for one with a long-term low interest rate (APR), and read on to find out what you're in for.
Don't Let Your Guard Down - Once you choose a card, your credit card company can still change the rules if it wants to – including the interest rate. Read your mail - a nondescript mailing may include a change in terms relating to your interest rates, fees or due dates. The company can even change your interest rate on debt you've already accumulated.
Rent-to-Own = Concealed Costs
Deceptive Deals - Rent-to-own contracts for appliance and other major purchases are deceptive and costly. You could pay two and one-half times more for a product by renting it than you would if you simply bought it at a retail store. In fact, the rent-to own outlets don't even tell you how much of your monthly payment is interest - so beware.
Don't Miss a Payment - If you do miss a payment to the rent-to-own store, the item is likely to be repossessed, leaving you with nothing for the payments you have made up to that point.
The Comeback of Layaway Plans
Paying Patiently - Layaway plans are a good way to give your credit card a rest. The good news is that stores usually do not charge interest or large fees for this service.
Know the Details - Before making a purchase on the layaway plan, find out what the layaway fees are and what happens if you miss or are late with a payment. Do you lose all of your past payments if you miss one? Is there a cancellation fee if you change your mind?
Debit Cards - The Pros and Cons
It's Your Money - With a debit card, you are spending money in your own bank account, unlike a credit card where you are borrowing money that you have to pay back later, along with interest and fees.
There's Less Protection - You have much less protection if a debit card is lost or stolen. Also, with a credit card, you have protections if you get in a dispute with a merchant.
Abusive Overdraft Fees - If you use a debit card to make purchases, make sure you don't spend more than you have in your account. Your purchases may be approved, but the bank can hit you with an overdraft fee of as much as $39 for EACH over-limit purchase, no matter how small. Many banks will automatically enroll you in an overdraft "protection" program where they'll approve your purchases at a store -- or a withdrawal at an ATM -- and then sock you with a hefty fee each time you make a purchase.
Sources: Americans For Fairness In Lending (AFFIL) , Greater Boston Legal Services
Friday, November 21, 2008
Change in Income Limits for Fuel Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), commonly called “Fuel Assistance” has announced a change to its guidelines. The income limit for fuel assistance was just raised to 60% of state median income, or $27,876 for one person and $36,454 for a couple. This means that to be eligible for fuel assistance, your household's gross income must be less than or equal to 60% of the estimated state median income for your household size. To find out if you qualify, you can take the Eligibility Check.
You should be aware that the new fuel assistance brochures which you might have received from SCES or another resource have the outdated figures in them because they were printed before the new guidelines were established.
The standards are higher than in the recent brochure.
For more detailed information (in English, Spanish and Portuguese), please visit: http://www.massresources.org/ or call 1-800-632-8175.
You should be aware that the new fuel assistance brochures which you might have received from SCES or another resource have the outdated figures in them because they were printed before the new guidelines were established.
The standards are higher than in the recent brochure.
For more detailed information (in English, Spanish and Portuguese), please visit: http://www.massresources.org/ or call 1-800-632-8175.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Meals-On-Wheels Program Needs Your Help!
This holiday season you can give a gift that will make a real difference in the life of an older person in Somerville or Cambridge. Your donation to the Meals-On-Wheels program at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) will help to ensure that every older person who needs a meal can get one. This year the number of meals we serve through this program has risen by 10 percent, and yet funding is stagnant as we all face cutbacks in these hard economic times.
Each weekday, over 600 homebound older people in our community rely on us to provide a hot, nutritious lunch delivered to their doorstep. Bag suppers and frozen meals are also provided for those who cannot prepare an evening or weekend meal.
The Meals-On-Wheels Program provides more than just food. It offers an important opportunity for contact with the outside world. For many older people, the meal delivery provides the only chance of the day to talk with another person. It also offers an important safety check. Each year Meals-On-Wheels drivers are responsible for saving a number of older people in distress. This December, SCES will make sure that our most vulnerable neighbors are not neglected, by personally delivering festive holiday bags filled with groceries, fruit, and a holiday card.
However, SCES needs your help to carry on our work. Limited government funding makes it difficult to meet the demand for Meals-On-Wheels. A $15 donation will purchase three meals for a person in need. A gift of $25 will help SCES deliver 5 meals. A $50 donation will purchase 10 meals, and $100 will provide 20 meals!
Please make checks payable to Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services and mail to Meals-On-Wheels Appeal, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, 61 Medford Street, Somerville, MA 02143. For more information, call (617) 628-2601 ext. 3201 or visit http://www.eldercare.org/ and donate on-line. SCES is a private, not-for-profit agency.
Each weekday, over 600 homebound older people in our community rely on us to provide a hot, nutritious lunch delivered to their doorstep. Bag suppers and frozen meals are also provided for those who cannot prepare an evening or weekend meal.
The Meals-On-Wheels Program provides more than just food. It offers an important opportunity for contact with the outside world. For many older people, the meal delivery provides the only chance of the day to talk with another person. It also offers an important safety check. Each year Meals-On-Wheels drivers are responsible for saving a number of older people in distress. This December, SCES will make sure that our most vulnerable neighbors are not neglected, by personally delivering festive holiday bags filled with groceries, fruit, and a holiday card.
However, SCES needs your help to carry on our work. Limited government funding makes it difficult to meet the demand for Meals-On-Wheels. A $15 donation will purchase three meals for a person in need. A gift of $25 will help SCES deliver 5 meals. A $50 donation will purchase 10 meals, and $100 will provide 20 meals!
Please make checks payable to Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services and mail to Meals-On-Wheels Appeal, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, 61 Medford Street, Somerville, MA 02143. For more information, call (617) 628-2601 ext. 3201 or visit http://www.eldercare.org/ and donate on-line. SCES is a private, not-for-profit agency.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Caregiver Support Group
If you are caring for an older relative, spouse or close friend and feeling isolated or overwhelmed, you are not alone. Come share experiences and practical support. The Caregiver Support Group meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Somerville Council on Aging, 167 Holland Street in Somerville. If you are interested, please contact Nancy O'Connor at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Caregiver Support Group in Somerville
If you are caring for an older relative, spouse or close friend and feeling isolated or overwhelmed, you are not alone. Come share experiences and practical support. The Caregiver Support Group meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Somerville Council on Aging, 167 Holland Street in Somerville. If you are interested, please contact Nancy O'Connor at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Special Program Pays Caregivers
An innovative program that has helped Massachusetts elders and younger adults with disabilities remain in the community is undergoing a major transformation.
The MassHealth Adult Family Care Program (AFC) matches individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living with host families who provide those services in a home setting. Services can include assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, incontinence management and other personal care. The new Enhanced Adult Family Care program will now be able to meet the needs of individuals requiring a higher level of care. In addition, it broadens the spectrum of caregivers who are eligible to participate to include most family members. Families or hosts, as they are called in the program, receive about $18,000 to provide care that prevents or delays institutional care.
"People express a clear preference for being cared for in a home setting," said John O'Neill, Executive Director of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, which provides the program in a number of communities in Greater Boston. "Enhanced Adult Family Care is a wonderful option for MassHealth beneficiaries who would like to receive care from a loved one in a home setting."
The guidelines of the new Enhanced Adult Family Care Program are based in part on another state program called, Caring Homes which is open to non-MassHealth eligible elders with complex medical needs. "This program is built on the foundation of family care giving," said Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care. "Sons and daughters will love this program because it allows them to be paid caregivers to their parents."
The Enhanced Adult Family Care program will not only allow elders and persons with disabilities to move into a caregiver's home, but will allow a caregiver to move into the individual's home. Participants must be 16 years or older and meet MassHealth financial and clinical eligibility standards. Caregivers may be any friend or family member other than a spouse, parent, or legally responsible relative and must meet qualifications specified by the state.
MassHealth pays for Enhanced Adult Family Care if an individual is financially eligible for MassHealth and requires physical assistance with at least three of the following activities: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, ambulating, eating; or, physical assistance with two of the activities above and management of behaviors that require caregiver intervention such as wandering, verbally abusive behavioral symptoms, physically abusive behavioral symptoms, socially inappropriate or disruptive behavioral symptoms, or resisting care.
To learn more about Adult Family Care, Caring Homes or other in-home services, call the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151.
The MassHealth Adult Family Care Program (AFC) matches individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living with host families who provide those services in a home setting. Services can include assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, incontinence management and other personal care. The new Enhanced Adult Family Care program will now be able to meet the needs of individuals requiring a higher level of care. In addition, it broadens the spectrum of caregivers who are eligible to participate to include most family members. Families or hosts, as they are called in the program, receive about $18,000 to provide care that prevents or delays institutional care.
"People express a clear preference for being cared for in a home setting," said John O'Neill, Executive Director of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, which provides the program in a number of communities in Greater Boston. "Enhanced Adult Family Care is a wonderful option for MassHealth beneficiaries who would like to receive care from a loved one in a home setting."
The guidelines of the new Enhanced Adult Family Care Program are based in part on another state program called, Caring Homes which is open to non-MassHealth eligible elders with complex medical needs. "This program is built on the foundation of family care giving," said Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care. "Sons and daughters will love this program because it allows them to be paid caregivers to their parents."
The Enhanced Adult Family Care program will not only allow elders and persons with disabilities to move into a caregiver's home, but will allow a caregiver to move into the individual's home. Participants must be 16 years or older and meet MassHealth financial and clinical eligibility standards. Caregivers may be any friend or family member other than a spouse, parent, or legally responsible relative and must meet qualifications specified by the state.
MassHealth pays for Enhanced Adult Family Care if an individual is financially eligible for MassHealth and requires physical assistance with at least three of the following activities: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, ambulating, eating; or, physical assistance with two of the activities above and management of behaviors that require caregiver intervention such as wandering, verbally abusive behavioral symptoms, physically abusive behavioral symptoms, socially inappropriate or disruptive behavioral symptoms, or resisting care.
To learn more about Adult Family Care, Caring Homes or other in-home services, call the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151.
Monday, April 2, 2007
ElderFair Health & Wellness Event Slated for Wednesday, June 27th
The 8th Annual ElderFair Health and Wellness Expo will be held on Wednesday, June 27th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA. The event will feature an exciting array of health and wellness activities.
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services holds ElderFair each year to honor of Older American. The daylong event features a free lunch, entertainment, door prizes from local businesses, and a raffle to benefit Meals-On-Wheels.
To reserve a lunch, call SCES at 617-628-2601 extension 618.
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services holds ElderFair each year to honor of Older American. The daylong event features a free lunch, entertainment, door prizes from local businesses, and a raffle to benefit Meals-On-Wheels.
To reserve a lunch, call SCES at 617-628-2601 extension 618.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Relief Available for Caregivers
When caregivers are able to access outside assistance, they often find that their quality of life is greatly improved and that the relationship with the person for whom they care is enhanced. One important resource that is often overlooked is the state’s Respite Program which is administered locally by Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services.
The state-funded Respite Program offers caregiver relief and is available to people of all income levels on a sliding fee scale, and offers a wealth of services such as case management, adult day programs, and assistance with personal care. Other services offered by the program include food shopping, home safety adaptations, housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, meals-on-wheels, memory disorder consultation, personal emergency response systems, supervision/companionship, and transportation for medical appointments.
To qualify for the respite service, the care recipient must be 60 years or older (younger care recipients may be eligible if there is a Memory Disorder). The care recipient must need assistance with basic activities of daily living and the caregiver must be actively involved in overseeing care. Long distance caregivers may also qualify. Caregivers may be family members, friends, or partners.
To learn more about the Respite Program, please contact the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151
The state-funded Respite Program offers caregiver relief and is available to people of all income levels on a sliding fee scale, and offers a wealth of services such as case management, adult day programs, and assistance with personal care. Other services offered by the program include food shopping, home safety adaptations, housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, meals-on-wheels, memory disorder consultation, personal emergency response systems, supervision/companionship, and transportation for medical appointments.
To qualify for the respite service, the care recipient must be 60 years or older (younger care recipients may be eligible if there is a Memory Disorder). The care recipient must need assistance with basic activities of daily living and the caregiver must be actively involved in overseeing care. Long distance caregivers may also qualify. Caregivers may be family members, friends, or partners.
To learn more about the Respite Program, please contact the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Support for Elders, Caregivers, and Disabled
The Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Aging Information Center is a free resource for anyone seeking information and advice on a wide variety of aging, disability and caregiving issues. The Aging Information Center is staffed with seasoned elder care professionals who can guide individuals and families through the sometimes confusing maze of service options.
Each year, thousands of people call the Aging Information Center to find information about housing, transportation, home care, health insurance, personal care, long term care planning, memory problems, respite care, volunteering and more.
To speak with a member of our Aging Information Center staff, please call 617-628-2601, ext. 3151.
Each year, thousands of people call the Aging Information Center to find information about housing, transportation, home care, health insurance, personal care, long term care planning, memory problems, respite care, volunteering and more.
To speak with a member of our Aging Information Center staff, please call 617-628-2601, ext. 3151.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Respite Program Open to All Income Levels
When caregivers are able to access outside assistance, they often find that their quality of life is greatly improved and that the relationship with the person for whom they care is enhanced. One important resource that is often overlooked is the state’s Respite Program which is administered locally by Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services.
The state-funded Respite Program offers caregiver relief and is available to people of all income levels on a sliding fee scale, and offers a wealth of services such as case management, adult day programs, and assistance with personal care. Other services offered by the program include food shopping, home safety adaptations, housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, meals-on-wheels, memory disorder consultation, personal emergency response systems, supervision/companionship, and transportation for medical appointments.
To qualify for the respite service, the care recipient must be 60 years or older (younger care recipients may be eligible if there is a Memory Disorder). The care recipient must need assistance with basic activities of daily living and the caregiver must be actively involved in overseeing care. Long distance caregivers may also qualify. Caregivers may be family members, friends, or partners.
To learn more about the Respite Program, please contact the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151
The state-funded Respite Program offers caregiver relief and is available to people of all income levels on a sliding fee scale, and offers a wealth of services such as case management, adult day programs, and assistance with personal care. Other services offered by the program include food shopping, home safety adaptations, housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, meals-on-wheels, memory disorder consultation, personal emergency response systems, supervision/companionship, and transportation for medical appointments.
To qualify for the respite service, the care recipient must be 60 years or older (younger care recipients may be eligible if there is a Memory Disorder). The care recipient must need assistance with basic activities of daily living and the caregiver must be actively involved in overseeing care. Long distance caregivers may also qualify. Caregivers may be family members, friends, or partners.
To learn more about the Respite Program, please contact the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151
Monday, March 5, 2007
Caregiver Financial Relief
An innovative program that has helped Massachusetts elders and younger adults with disabilities remain in the community is undergoing a major transformation. The MassHealth Adult Family Care Program (AFC) matches individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living with host families who provide those services in a home setting. Services can include assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, incontinence management and other personal care.
The new Enhanced Adult Family Care program will now be able to meet the needs of individuals requiring a higher level of care. In addition, it broadens the spectrum of caregivers who are eligible to participate to include most family members. Families or hosts, as they are called in the program, receive about $18,000 to provide care that prevents or delays institutional care. "People express a clear preference for being cared for in a home setting," said John O’Neill, Executive Director of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, which provides the program in a number of communities in Greater Boston. "Enhanced Adult Family Care is a wonderful option for MassHealth beneficiaries who would like to receive care from a loved one in a home setting."
The guidelines of the new Enhanced Adult Family Care Program are based in part on another state program called, Caring Homes which is open to non-MassHealth eligible elders with complex medical needs. "This program is built on the foundation of family care giving," said Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care. "Sons and daughters will love this program because it allows them to be paid caregivers to their parents." The Enhanced Adult Family Care program will not only allow elders and persons with disabilities to move into a caregiver’s home, but will allow a caregiver to move into the individual’s home.
Participants must be 16 years or older and meet MassHealth financial and clinical eligibility standards. Caregivers may be any friend or family member other than a spouse, parent, or legally responsible relative and must meet qualifications specified by the state. MassHealth pays for Enhanced Adult Family Care if an individual is financially eligible for MassHealth and requires physical assistance with at least three of the following activities: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, ambulating, eating; or, physical assistance with two of the activities above and management of behaviors that require caregiver intervention such as wandering, verbally abusive behavioral symptoms, physically abusive behavioral symptoms, socially inappropriate or disruptive behavioral symptoms, or resisting care.
To learn more about Adult Family Care, Caring Homes or other in-home services, call the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151.
The new Enhanced Adult Family Care program will now be able to meet the needs of individuals requiring a higher level of care. In addition, it broadens the spectrum of caregivers who are eligible to participate to include most family members. Families or hosts, as they are called in the program, receive about $18,000 to provide care that prevents or delays institutional care. "People express a clear preference for being cared for in a home setting," said John O’Neill, Executive Director of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, which provides the program in a number of communities in Greater Boston. "Enhanced Adult Family Care is a wonderful option for MassHealth beneficiaries who would like to receive care from a loved one in a home setting."
The guidelines of the new Enhanced Adult Family Care Program are based in part on another state program called, Caring Homes which is open to non-MassHealth eligible elders with complex medical needs. "This program is built on the foundation of family care giving," said Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care. "Sons and daughters will love this program because it allows them to be paid caregivers to their parents." The Enhanced Adult Family Care program will not only allow elders and persons with disabilities to move into a caregiver’s home, but will allow a caregiver to move into the individual’s home.
Participants must be 16 years or older and meet MassHealth financial and clinical eligibility standards. Caregivers may be any friend or family member other than a spouse, parent, or legally responsible relative and must meet qualifications specified by the state. MassHealth pays for Enhanced Adult Family Care if an individual is financially eligible for MassHealth and requires physical assistance with at least three of the following activities: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, ambulating, eating; or, physical assistance with two of the activities above and management of behaviors that require caregiver intervention such as wandering, verbally abusive behavioral symptoms, physically abusive behavioral symptoms, socially inappropriate or disruptive behavioral symptoms, or resisting care.
To learn more about Adult Family Care, Caring Homes or other in-home services, call the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601 ext. 3151.
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