Have you check out Mass Gov’s senior or elder sections? There are a lot of great resources on there if you haven’t. We wanted to take a moment to point you to some of the resources there for elders and caregivers.
There are a number of services on Mass Gov’s senior section. Things like prescription drug assistance, in-home services, how to report elder abuse, etc. One thing that would be helpful for your aging parent, is the bank training for preventing elder abuse. There are a couple brochures on financial exploitation and there is a training manual that is quite lengthy, but if you scan through there are some scenarios that institutions need to look out for that can give insight into the types of scandals that could take place. Educating yourself and your aging parent on these scams can help you spot them sooner or even prevent them.
Another section we would like to draw your attention to is health insurance counseling. The SHINE Program (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone), “provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to all Massachusetts residents with Medicare”. If you have Medicare or will be eligible for it soon, you can meet with a counselor to discuss benefits and options.
If you are a caregiver to aging parents, are a grandparent over 55 caring for a grandchild, or over 55 and caring for a relative with a disability, then you definitely need to look at the Family Caregiver Support Program. There are different programs/supports you could be eligible for that could make being a caregiver easier.
If you go to the Mass Gov site and find the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, there are resources about aging in community, dementia resources, and more. A couple things to note are the nutrition program for seniors, this offers education, healthy meals, screenings, and counseling, and the Options Counseling, a free service for older persons, adults with a disability, their family members or caregivers to help make decisions on supportive services, like finding help with household chores, transportation, and other important life needs.
Whether you are an elder looking for resources or if you have aging parents, if you haven’t spent some time diving into the available Massachusetts resources, it would be wise to do so, so you are aware of programs and options you may consider now or in the future.
Aging or caring for someone who is aging is difficult as it is, and at Family Estate Planning Law Group, we want to help you have peace of mind with your estate plan. Estate planning is more than just signing the dotted line on a will and trust, it is far more comprehensive. Let us plan for life with you so you can dedicate your time elsewhere.
We become partners with you in life to make sure your estate plan adapts with you as you experience the changes life throws at you from growing families, asset changes, to shifting needs as you age. Our holistic and ongoing process helps you protect your family. For caregivers, we do planning for mom and dad, we can help you work with them to establish an estate plan or to make sure their existing plan works with yours and is of the best benefit to them. We also offer elder law services, to help protect seniors’ homes and assets from the nursing home.
Being proactive about your estate plan and knowing what resources you have for aging and caregiving will help make the aging and caregiving journey easier while helping you feel prepared and empowered. Review the above resources and schedule your complimentary consultation with us today.
It’s time to plan for life and protect yourself and your family.