Legal and Financial Resources
Elder Care Emergency Fund
At some point many of us have experienced a financial situation where we didn’t have enough money to cover all our expenses. For elders on a limited income the expenses they can not pay often relate to life’s necessities such as health insurance premiums, high heating costs, and prescription drugs. The Elder Care Fund can help.
Anyone over the age of 60 who lives in the Merrimack Valley can request assistance. A care manager reviews the situation to determine if other financial resources are available to help. If not, a grant of up to $500.00 can be awarded annually for any one individual from the Elder Care fund. The fund has been used to pay for prescriptions, food, rent, short term health care services, adaptive equipment for a home, or help with purchasing a wheelchair.
There is no expectation of repayment. However, many individuals choose to make a small contribution to the Fund as their budget allows, or to cost share or pay back the expense over time. This “pass it forward” philosophy helps insure the next request can be met.
Private donations of any amount are always welcome, and are tax deductible. All proceeds go to support the fund. Contact development@esmv.org if interested.
If you have a need for service, please call the Age Information Center at 1-800-892-0890 to begin the process. You may also send an email (click here).
The SHINE Program - Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders
The SHINE Program offers free and confidential support to help older or disabled individuals understand their Medicare insurance benefits and other health insurance options. SHINE Counselors are trained and certified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and meet with elders either individually or in group settings. They help elders to understand many areas of health benefits, including Medicare A & B services, the Medicare appeals process, Medigap insurance, retiree insurance plans, long-term care insurance, Medicaid and free or reduced health care programs.
The purpose of the SHINE program is to provide access to accurate and unbiased information, counseling and assistance on health insurance and health benefits programs. SHINE Counselors can assist older adults in understanding their health insurance needs. They may review present coverage, provide benefit comparisons and help elders learn about certain facts to consider while looking for the most suitable and affordable insurance coverage. SHINE Counselors can also help prepare health benefit claim forms and applications. They will make referrals when appropriate.
SHINE Counselors are available statewide at community sites, and they make home visits to house bound and handicapped elders. You can make an appointment with a counselor by calling your local Council on Aging or Senior Center (click here for listing), or by contacting Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley at 800-892-0890, and asking for the SHINE Program.
Senior Medicare Patrol Program - SMP
The Senior Medicare Patrol Program (SMP) is a program funded by the federal Administration on Aging, and serves limited English speaking elders and other underserved populations across the state of Massachusetts with culturally and linguistically appropriate, time-sensitive health benefits eligibility information.
SMP’s mission is to:
- Educate limited English proficient, LEP elder populations on how to navigate the complexities of the Medicare and Medicaid health benefits eligibility network
- Inform them on how to become better health care consumers
- Assisting them in combating system health care errors, abuses and even potential fraud
In partnership with the Massachusetts SHINE Program (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders), and numerous state and local organizations, SMP has successfully offered culturally competent services to limited English proficient populations as well as at risk and homeless individuals, and provided one-on-one health benefits eligibility counseling.
Please visit the SMP website by clicking here.
Elder Care Advisors
Elder Services truly recognizes the importance of family members, friends, professionals and the thousands of caregivers who assist their loved ones every day. When seeking help with activities such as meal preparation, cleaning, shopping, taking medication, arranging transportation, or trying to manage personal finances, an Elder Care Advisor can help you navigate the complex system of public and private care options to determine the best possible choices.
Elder Care Advisors provide information, advice, support and access to a wide variety of services or community programs for older adults, their families, and caregivers to help sustain their efforts of independence.
Elder Care advice is free, and consultation can be provided in the home, at the office or over the phone. Elder care programs, issues or concerns our advisors can help with include, but are not limited to:
- Advocacy efforts related to elder care or any long term care issue
- Assisting with the design, coordination and monitoring of care plans to insure quality
- Caregiver Support and Advice
- Community Services and Programs
- Facilitating Family Conferences
- Health Insurance Counseling
- Housing Options
- Long Term Care Planning
- Needs Assessment to determine Functional Capacity
- Nursing Home Placement
- Public Benefits
Eligibility
Any elder, friend or family member caring for an older adult, over the age of 60 and living in the Merrimack Valley is entitled to the services of an Elder Care Advisor. All consumers, regardless of income, are eligible for an in-home visit.
Cost
There is no cost for Elder Care Advisor consults. However, the elder or family would be responsible for any expenses incurred for direct services if no other payment options exist.
More Information
Direct you inquiry to our Age Information Center at Elder Services - 800-892-0890.
Money Management Program
The Money Management program is a free service that assists elders who are unable to manage their finances independently. Jointly sponsored by AARP, Mass Home Care, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, this program is operated locally through Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley.
Volunteers who are screened, trained, and supervised, are matched with elders who need help writing checks, paying routine bills or budgeting money. A visit schedule is established between the volunteer and the elder to accomplish bill paying tasks and other fiscal responsibilities. An independent representative from Elder Services reviews all records on a regular basis to provide oversight and protection to both the elder and the volunteer.
Rep Payee Program
Our Money Management Program also offers a Representative Payee program designated by the Social Security Administration. Some elders, because of legal or medical concerns, are deemed not capable of managing their money. In these situations, Elder Services is appointed by the Social Security Administration to act as a rep payee for these individuals, and pay bills, for essential needs such as shelter, food, and health care for the remainder of their lives. This program receives oversight within the Crisis Intervention Department.