Links & Resources

Jump to:

• National Resources
• Massachusetts State Resources
• Local Western Massachusetts Resources
• Caregiver Resources
• Emergency Preparedness
• Energy & Heating
• Estate Planning and Retirement
• Food
• Gambling & Seniors
• Healthy Living, Healthy Aging
• Información en Español
• Legal Help
• LGBTQ Resources
• Medication Safety at Home
• North Quabbin Help & Support
• Older Drivers
• Unemployment Assistance
• Veterans' Resources
• Other Resources

---

  National Resources

• US Administration for Community Living
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
• Medicare
• National Association of Area Agencies on Aging: 202-872-0888
• Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Hotline 1-800-272-3900
• National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
• National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging
• National Council on Aging

Back to Top

---

  Massachusetts State Resources

• MassHomeCare 978-502-3794
• Massachusetts Resources for Elders 1-800-AGE-INFO
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Attorney General's Office
• MA Bar Association
• Mass211—Massachusetts Resources
• LGBT Aging Project—Massachusetts
• State Energy and Food Support
• New England Index (NEI) for persons with disabilities
• SNAP Application (all languages)
• Medicaid/MassHealth Telephone Access 24/7 (all languages) 1-888-665-9993
• 24/7 telephone access to your MassHealth Application
• Tax Credits for Seniors (Circuit Breaker) (PDF)
• Resources for MA Senior Citizens
• Massachusetts Assisted Living
• Native American Resources
  • Barriers to health care IHS Shine AI AN CC Fact Sheet
  • Health Insurance Options IHS SHINE Fact Sheet
• Massachusetts Legal Help
• Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts
• Honoring Choices Massachusett: "Getting Started Tool Kit" to make your own personal healthcare plan

Back to Top

---

  Local Western Massachusetts Resources

• Your Local Village
• Transportation Resources: Local Numbers
• Your Council on Aging/Senior Center
• Food Pantries
• Franklin County Emergency Food Programs
• For Caregivers
• Lifeline and Link Up Affordable Phone Services
• Free Meals Franklin County
• Valley Eye Radio

Back to Top

---

  Caregiver Resources

• For Caregivers
• Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery (PDF)
• What is Elder Abuse? (PDF)
• How to Answer Tough Questions about Elder Abuse (PDF)
• The Calm Before the Storm: Family Conversations about Disaster Planning, Caregiving, Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia (PDF)
• At the Crossroads: Family Conversations about Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia & Driving (PDF)
• We need to talk....Family Conversations with Older Drivers (PDF)
• The Caregivers Library
• North Quabbin Adult Day Health Caregiver Support Group. Meets 2nd Wed each month from 3-4 pm facilitated by Wanda Landry. Respite for your loved one is available. Call Kathy Kilhart at 978-248-9470.
• Henry Heywood Hospital Caregiver's Support Group. Meets 4th Wed. each month from 2-3 pm in the OBS Conference Room. Call Ann Fenlason at 978-630-6349 or Josh Diggins at 978-630-6518.
• Comprehensive Diagnostic Dementia Evaluations: Baystate Medical Center, 3300 Main St., Springfield, MA. Complete dementia evaluations. Most insurance plans are accepted. Can be self-referred with input from primary care provider and/or referred by medical provider. Call 413-794-5555 or 413-794-0000 and ask for Memory Clinic. A service of Baystate Behavioral Health.
• From the Frontlines of Alzheimer’s
• The National Alzheimer’s Project Act
• Alzheimer’s Current Facts & Figures
• Lessons Learned: One man's journey as an Alzheimer's caregiver
• Do Not Call: www.donotcall.gov or for MA numbers call 866-231-2255.
• "Understanding & Living with Dementia: A Resource for Families"

Back to Top

---

  Emergency Preparedness

• Personal Emergency Action Planner (PDF)
  
• Power Outage Toolkit
• It Could Happen to Me: Family Conversations about Disaster Planning (PDF)
• The Calm Before the Storm: Family Conversations about Disaster Planning, Caregiving, Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia (PDF)
• Fire Sense: A Smart Way to Prevent, Detect and Escape Home Fires (PDF)
• Let's Make a Plan (PDF)
• Western MA Emergency Info

Back to Top

---

  Energy & Heating

• 45 Ways to Use Energy Wisely
• State Energy Resources
• Consumer's Home Repair Guide

Back to Top

---

  Estate Planning and Retirement

• Trusts & Special Needs Trusts (PDF)
• FDIC Consumer News
• Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples

Back to Top

---

  Food

• State Food Resources
• Food Pantries
• Franklin County Community Meals
• Franklin County Food Resources (PDF)
• Free Meals Franklin County
• The Food Bank of Western MA
• Food Safety
• SNAP Information and Guidelines (all languages)

Back to Top

---

  Gambling & Seniors

• Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling 1-800-426-1234
• Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline 1-800-327-5050 TTY: 1-888-448-8321
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Healthy Aging 617-624-5070
  Click the link above and search on “Office of Healthy Aging”
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs 1-800-243-4636 TDD/TTY: 1-800-872-0166
• Problem Gambling Among Older Adults (PDF)
• Gambler’s Anonymous 213-386-8789
• Bettors Anonymous 978-988-1777
• Gam-Anon For family and friends of problem gamblers
• Prevention Tools for Older Adults

Back to Top

---

  Healthy Living, Healthy Aging

• www.healthyliving4me.org
• Health Info in Many Languages
• Administration on Aging
• Using Home Oxygen Safely (PDF)
• Hear Now: Assistance for those without resources who are in need of hearing aids
• Discharge Checklist/Russian Language
• Leaving the Hospital
• Managing Your Medications (PDF)
• Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide, from the National Institute on Aging (PDF)
• Walking Maps
• Breathe Easy: Using Home Oxygen Safely. Resources from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
• Healthy Homes: Tips for Older Adults (PDF)
• Back to Healthy Living Home Page
  

Back to Top

---

  Información en Español

• Hombres: Sigan sanos despues de los 50 (PDF)
• Mujeres: Sigan sanas despues de los 50 (PDF)
• Su guia para el tratamiento con Coumadin/Warfarina (PDF)
• Health Info in Many Languages
• Como usar la etiqueta de informacion nutritional
• Ayuda de Sguros de Salud/Health Insurance Help
• De vuelta a casa después de una hospitalización

Back to Top

---

  Legal Help for Elders

Community Legal Aid offers free legal services to people age 60 and older. Walk-ins welcome at both location with or without an appointment.

Greenfield Office
55 Federal St., Suite 120
Greenfield, MA 01301

Open the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9 am to 1 pm.

413-774-3747
1-855-252-5342

Northampton Office
20 Hampden Ave, Suite 100
Northampton, MA 01060

Open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

413-584-4034
1-855-252-5342

• Massachusetts Bar Association's Elder Law Education Program: "Taking Control of Your Future: A Legal Checkup"

Back to Top

---

  LGBTIQA Resources

• Rainbow Elders: LGBTIQA Socializing, Support, & Resources
• LifePath presents: Legal & Financial Issues for LGBT Elders, 2014: Part 1 & Part 2 (audio clips)
• Lifelines: Documents to Protect You and Your Family (PDF)
• Outing Age: Public Policy Issues Affecting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders (PDF)
• Planning With Purpose: Legal Basics for LGBT Elders (PDF)
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• Senior Gay Men Drop In at Northampton Senior Center Fridays from 1-3 PM. More info at 413-587-1228 or at Northampton Council on Aging.
• PFLAG Franklin-Hampshire Chapter (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays) offers welcoming support, education and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, their families, friends, and allies. Meets monthly. Please make inquiries to our Helpline at 413-625-6636, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are also on Facebook: PFLAG Franklin-Hampshire Chapter.
• TransParent: TransParents is a support group for parents of transgender, gender non-conforming or questioning, children, teenagers, and young adults. We meet the 1st Monday of each month in Holyoke. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. us.
• Straight Spouse Network and Franklin County PFLAG: 413-625-6636 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• National Resource Center on LGBT Aging: Legal Support & Financial Planning Tools
• Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples
• LGBT Aging Project: A coalition of eldercare professionals and citizens working for the rights of LGBT elders.
• Advocacy for LGBT Elders in Western Massachusetts
• LGBT Health Policy
• National Coalition for LGBT Health
• Gay & Lesbian Medical Association
• Transgender Health
• Stonewall Center, UMASS, Amherst
• Massachusetts Medical Society
• Inclusive Services for LGBT Older Adults
• New Transgender Resources
• Medicare and Same Sex Couples
• Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA) & LGBTQ Individuals
• 2012 LGBT HHS Report
• Additional CMA LGBTQ materials
• Top 10 Ways to Begin Creating LGBT Safety and Inclusivity in Aging Services
• A Free Mobile LGBT Lending Library
• Intersex Explained
• Pronouns for LGBTIQA individuals
• Massachusetts LGBT Aging Commission Report 2015
• Understanding homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia

Back to Top

---

  Medication Safety at Home

• Make Notes and Take Notes at the Doctor's Office
• Helping Your Independent Older Parents Use Medicines Safely
• Safe Medication
• 10 Steps for Success: Managing Your Medicines
• Medication Use Safety Training for Seniors
• Safe Storage of Medications in Your Home
• Safely Disposing of Medications
• Medications at Home & Potential Abuse

Back to Top

---

  North Quabbin Help & Support

• North Quabbin Community Coalition

Back to Top

---

  Older Drivers

• It's Time to Change the Older Driver Conversation: New Research from MIT AgeLab and The Hartford Helps Drivers Keep the Keys As They Age (PDF)
• Your Road Ahead: A Guide to Comprehensive Driving Evaluations (PDF)
• At the Crossroads: Family Conversations about Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia & Driving (PDF)
• We need to talk....Family Conversations with Older Drivers (PDF)
• Local Resources for Older Drivers
• DriveSharp
• AARP Driver Safety Program Training
• AAA Roadwise Review
• Safe Driving & Home Safety

Back to Top

---

  Unemployment Assistance

• Primer
• Food Stamps

Back to Top

---

  Veterans' Resources

• Veterans Independence Plus Program
• Federal Benefits for Veterans (PDF)
• MA Veterans Laws & Benefits
• Older Veteran Behavioral Health Resource Inventory
• Veterans Information Packet
• Coaching into Care

Back to Top

---

  Other Resources

• Staying Connected
• Homestead Forms
• Funeral Resources: The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts, PO Box 994, Greenfield, MA 01301-0994, 413-774-2320. www.funeralconsumerswmass.org. Info on consumers rights and options, funeral home price survey, support and advocacy.
• Eventide Hospice Choir
• Alzheimer's Resources Online
• Alzheimer's Facts & Figures 2011
• Elder Abuse Awareness Quiz
• July 2012 Restraints
• Decision tree for clients in bed with rails
• July 2012 Guide to Bed Safety
• Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
• Hospice of Franklin County
• Highland Valley Elder Services
• Franklin Regional Council of Governments for Franklin County, MA
• Stavros Center for Independent Living/Disabilities Advocacy
• Ashfield Medical Equipment Bank: Ashfield has a collection of equipment available for loan to be used by anyone from Ashfield who is recuperating from illness or coping with chronic disabilities. Equipment includes wheelchairs, canes, walkers, leg braces, air mattresses, geri chairs, bed bound supplies, commodes, hospital beds, chair cushions, shower chairs, incontinence supplies, head scarves and johnny tops and more. The Medical Equipment Bank is in Ashfield Center. Contact Cass Nawrocki for more info at 413-628-3924.
• Town of Rowe Adaptive Equipment: The town of Rowe Council On Aging lends adaptive equipment to all residents of Rowe at no charge. Equipment includes hospital beds, canes, potties, walkers, wheel chairs, and more. A town nurse keeps track of the equipment and sizes the equipment to the individual. For details or to request support, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Town Nurse, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Co-Chair of the COA: 413-339-5520.
• Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library
• Support for Grandparents Raising Children
• Mass 2-1-1 Access to statewide health and human services
• MassMutual LifeBridge A free life insurance program from Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company. Click on the link for more information or call 1-800-583-5337.
• Homeowner Options for Massachusetts Elders or call 1-800-583-5337. Helps conserve and protect the equity of low/moderate income homeowners so they can age in place.
• Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) 1-800-224-5124. Short term help to those in need of shelter to avoid homelessness.
• Getting Off Mailing Lists
• Medicare Fraud Prevention (PDF)
• Do Not Call: www.donotcall.gov 1-888-282-1222 or 1-866-231-2255.
• UMASS Gerontology Guide for Elders 2012
• MassHealth Aging Well at Home
• Returning Home After a Hospitalization
• Long-Term Care Resident Rights
• Diagnosis-Based Assistance Programs
• Charity programs that help pay for prescriptions
• Medicare Rights Center: "Equitable Relief: Navigating the process" (PDF)
• "Who Will Care? The Workforce Crisis in Human Services,"The Workforce Crisis in Human Services," Providers' Council, February 2017 (PDF)

  Cable TV

• Athol-Orange Community Television
• Bernardston Northfield Community Television
• From the Center/Frontier Cable TV
• Greenfield Cable TV
• Montague Cable TV

Back to Top