1. How to Get Support, Services, Counseling, and Assistance
A free service that refers older adults and people of any age living with disabilities, including people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, to local support and services. To contact MassOption, call 800-243-4636.
A free service that can help individuals and families including those affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias make decisions on supportive services. Adults of any age are eligible for options counseling. To speak to an Options Counselor in your area, ask MassOptions for your local elder services agency by calling 800-243-4636.
Alzheimer’s Association Helpline
A free service in which specialists and clinicians offer confidential support and information to people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, caregivers, families, and the public. The Association also offers education programs, support groups, and social events. To speak with someone directly, call the Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Directs to peer-to-peer groups that help build community and support for those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.
Support Groups at Councils on Aging (COAs)
Support groups for people living with early-stage or younger-onset dementia and individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and their caregivers.
Support Groups and Peer Companions from the Alzheimer’s Association
Support groups for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers and companionship through phone calls between people with early-stage ADRD and individuals recently diagnosed with ADRD. For more information about these services, call the Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
One-on-one, peer-to-peer mentoring sessions for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.
Support Groups from the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
Support groups for individuals living with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) and their caregivers. For more information, call the AFTD HelpLine at 866-507-7222.
Support Groups from the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA)
Support groups for individuals living with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and their caregivers. For more information, call the Lewy Line at 800-539-9767.
2. Elder Abuse Prevention
Learn how to prevent and report elder abuse, including neglect and financial scams.
Preventing and Reporting Elder Abuse & Neglect
Elder abuse includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, caretaker neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect. When these concerns are reported, protective service workers can help protect families, including those affected by cognitive impairment. All protective service workers have received training on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, and all have been trained in how to assess a person’s decision-making capacity.
Resources on Protecting Rights and Preventing Abuse
The Administration for Community Living provides systems and programs that prevent abuse from happening, protecting people from abusive situations, and supporting people who have experienced abuse to help them recover.
AARP’S 7 Ways to Prevent Financial Abuse
Tips for Preventing Financial Exploitation from the American Banker’s Association
3. Insurance and Prescription Drug Information
Find counseling and assistance for health coverage and insurance for those needing long-term care services.
SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program
A state health insurance assistance program that provides free, unbiased health insurance information, counseling, and assistance for Massachusetts residents of all ages with Medicare.
Assistance with Your MassHealth Insurance Application
MassHealth can help you complete your MassHealth insurance application by phone or in-person.
The Prescription Advantage Program provides supplemental assistance, based on income, for its members with Medicare prescription drug coverage, and primary prescription insurance coverage comparable to Medicare Part D for those not eligible for Medicare. Massachusetts residents under age 60 living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias are eligible for this assistance if they meet MassHealth disability guidelines and income eligibility. Residents age 65 and over must meet income eligibility requirements.
Senior Guide to Health Care Coverage
A guide for older adults and individuals of any age needing long-term care services.
4. In-Home Programs, Services, and Meals
Learn more about the programs available to those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in the home.
A program that provides in-home and community supports and services, including adult day care, dementia coaching, home health services, personal care, money management, companionship, meal preparation, laundry and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and meal preparation. Eligibility requirements and fees vary by program. Any older or younger adult living with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia is eligible for a free in-home assessment and personalized package of information. For more information about this program, call MassOptions at 800-243-4636 and ask for the local elder services agency.
Congregate and Home Delivered Meals (onsite or delivered to your door)
A program that addresses nutrition, food insecurity, chronic disease, and social isolation through congregate and home-delivered meals for those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and others. Individuals do not have to be receiving state home care services to receive a meal through the nutrition program. People with disabilities (including ADRD) who live in elder housing facilities (and spouses of any age) where congregate meals are served qualify for congregate meals. Individuals with disabilities (including ADRD) who live at home with their caregivers who are age 60 or older are eligible for home delivered meals. Both programs are available to all ages 60 and over. For more information about this program, call MassOptions at 800-243-4636 and ask for the local elder services agency.
Money Management Program
A program that assists adults age 60 and over who meet clinical eligibility criteria and have difficulty managing personal household budgets, paying bills, keeping track of banking records, intervening with creditors, and handling other issues related to personal finances. For more information about this program, call MassOptions at 800-243-4636 and ask for the local elder services agency.
Advanced Cellular Personal Emergency Response Service (mobile PERS)
Communication system for persons living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) who are at risk for wandering, or persons with other serious medical conditions where the individual will be alone with no other way to summon help. The service provides 24/7 emergency assistance both inside and outside the home, GPS monitoring, and can automatically detect falls. This service is available to individuals living with ADRD or a serious medical condition who enroll in the state’s non-waiver home care programs. For more information about this program, call MassOptions at 800-243-4636 and ask for the local elder services agency.
5. Community-Based Supports for MassHealth Members
Find programs available for MassHealth Members such as skilled nursing and home health services.
Adult Day Health
A day program available to eligible MassHealth members living with cognitive impairment. It consists of nursing and therapeutic services and oversight, including therapy, nutrition, dietary counseling, case management, activities, and assistance with activities of daily living. For a referral to information about these services and their eligibility criteria, contact MassOptions at 800-243-4636.
Adult Foster Care
Eligible MassHealth members receiving Adult Foster Care (AFC) services live with an AFC caregiver, who is responsible for the person's care 24 hours a day. AFC service recipients also receive visits from a multidisciplinary team consisting of, at a minimum, a registered nurse and a care manager. For a referral to information about these services and their eligibility criteria, contact MassOptions at 800-243-4636.
Continuous Skilled Nursing
Weekly visits from a nurse and care management services for eligible MassHealth members, including those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. For a referral to information about these services and their eligibility criteria, contact MassOptions at 800-243-4636.
Personal Care Attendant Program
A self-directed personal care program providing eligible MassHealth members, including those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, with assistance with personal care needs. For a referral to information about this program and its eligibility criteria, contact MassOptions at 800-243-4636.
Home Health Services
Services provided to eligible MassHealth members, including those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. These services include nursing visits, home health aide services, and physical, speech, and occupational therapy. For a referral to information about these services and their eligibility criteria, contact MassOptions at 800-243-4636.