Aging Services Network

There are 24 ASAPs across the Commonwealth, all contracted with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, that provide programs and services designed specifically to support adults aged 60 and older, and their caregivers. From exploring care options and assistance with nutrition and food security, to support with housing, health, financial wellness, transportation, and safety, ASAPs are there to help.  

Of the 24 ASAPs, all except Boston, Worcester, and Brockton also serve as AAAs, which are federally designated agencies that also address the needs and concerns of aging adults and their caregivers. AAAs offer a variety of services funded through the Older Americans Act, which includes information, resources, and options counseling, making it possible for people to choose which services help them age in the community of their choice. 

ASAPs - Who they are and what they do:   

ASAPs provide free information on resources available to people aged 60 and older across the state. Altogether there are 24 ASAPs whose purpose is to connect residents to useful programs and services such as in-home assessments, care plan development, home care services, protective services, home-delivered and community meals, and caregiver support.  

 Additionally, ASAPs provide the following services:  

• Home care program - Helping older adults to age in their own homes, safely, independently, and comfortably. 
• Senior nutrition program – Providing healthy home delivered and community group meals for older adults. 
• Options Counseling – Connecting older adults in need of short-term advice and guidance to available services in their community. 
• Family caregiver support program – Offering programs to help people navigate the challenges of being a caregiver. 
• Protective services – Working to help eliminate or alleviate the abuse or neglect of an older adult.   
• Community Transition Liaison Program – Helping older adults who may be in a nursing facility transition back into their community. 
• Supportive and community housing – Helping program residents with managing issues and social engagement. 

Councils on Aging are municipal entities that oversee local adult community centers that provide programming, services, and support for older adults in their community. Each Council on Aging determines its own priorities based on local needs and resources, making adult community centers, sometimes called senior centers, a welcoming place for older adults who wish to remain independent in their community.  

COAs - Who they are and what they do 

Altogether there are 350 Councils on Aging; all municipal agencies that provide support, local outreach, social and health services, advocacy, and resources to older adults, their families, and caregivers. Working together and often supported by a volunteer network, Councils on Aging and adult community centers serve as a link to older adults by providing important support services in the community.  

 Council on Aging and Adult Community Center offerings may include:  

• Outreach - Providing services that older adults may not otherwise have access to. 
• Transportation - Providing safe and dependable transportation for errands, appointments, and more. 
• Meals (home-delivered or community) - Providing healthy home-delivered and community group meals for older adults. 
• Health screenings - Sharing resources for routine or specific health screenings and preventative care. 
• Health insurance counseling - Helping older adults understand their existing health insurance or find new coverage. 
• Socialization - Creating opportunities for social connections that may give older adults a better sense of self, security, and safety. For example, book clubs. 
• Fitness, wellness, and recreation activities - Helping older adults be independent and social while improving strength and flexibility.  
• Life-long learning - Providing unique educational experiences and opportunities that extend beyond the traditional. For example, art classes. 

Certified by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) are private residences that offer, for a monthly fee, housing, meals, and personal care services to aging adults who live independently. 

Assisted Living Residences - What are they and what they do 

Assisted Living Residences are designed for adults who can live independently in a home-like environment but may need help with daily activities such as housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, dressing, and/or medication assistance.  

 Assisted Living Residences do not provide medical or nursing services and are not designed for people who need serious medical care. Most assisted living residents pay fees privately, and the cost for each ALR can vary depending on the size, services, and location of the residence.  

 Assisted Living Residences can help with:  

• Light housekeeping 
• Meal Preparation 
• Bathing and dressing 
• Administering daily / weekly medication  

Cost: 

The cost to live in an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) varies greatly.  For residents living in traditional assisted living residences, the median monthly cost ranges from $3,655 to $8,036. For residents needing additional care due to memory impairment who live in a Special Care Residence of an ALR, the median monthly cost ranges from $6,334 to $9,525. 

The variation in the cost is based on many factors, including: 

• The type of services needed by a resident, for example assistance with eating, dressing, bathing, toileting. 
• The frequency with which services are needed, including assistance with taking medications, oxygen use, and safety checks.   
• The size of the apartment a resident occupies. Apartment layouts may be categorized as a shared companion suite, single studio, or a larger 1 or 2-bedroom. 
• The location of the ALR and the amenities available.  

The majority of ALRs in Massachusetts are a private pay market rate model, where residents use their own financial resources to pay for the rent and services monthly. Medicare, the federal health insurance program for older adults and individuals living with a disability, does not cover Assisted Living. Individuals with long term care insurance policies should ask their insurance carrier if they qualify for coverage of any ALR services.  

The subsidy programs listed below are available in Massachusetts to qualified individuals. It is important to note that not all ALRs provide these subsidies:  

• Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) – GAFC is a MassHealth funded program. For information on the GAFC Program, please contact the MassHealth Customer Services line at 1-800-841-2900. 
• Supplemental Security Income – Category G (SSI-G) – This is a subsidy program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and supplemented by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance for people residing in ALRs. Potential ALR residents are encouraged to talk to SSA directly through the field offices sites to determine if they might be eligible for SSI-G benefits. A list of SSA offices may be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/otherssasites.  
• Veterans’ Administration Aid and Attendance Benefit – VA Aid and Attendance Benefits may be available for Veterans and/or surviving spouses. For more information on this benefit, contact the Boston Regional Benefit Office at 1- 800-827-1000. 
• Other income qualifying programs – Some ALRs provide reduced rates for low- or moderate-income residents offered through the local housing authority.  

Not all ALRs accept GAFC or SSI-G as payment. Potential residents should inquire about GAFC and SSI-G funding prior to signing a Residency Agreement, also commonly referred to as lease agreement, with the ALR. If an ALR has a subsidy program available, it should be noted in the Disclosure of Rights and Services, which is a required document that must be provided to all prospective residents prior to signing a Residency Agreement. Knowing in advance if a subsidy program is available and the qualification required to participate can help residents and families with limited financial resources plan accordingly. 

It’s important to note that the monthly fees charged and agreed upon when moving into an ALR are not fixed. A change to the care needs of a resident can increase at any time with a limited required notice from the ALR. The costs of rent and services provided are determined by each ALR and agreed upon by the resident when signing a Residency Agreement. 

About Behavioral Health Services  

The Executive Office of Elder Affairs funds behavioral health services and programs for adults aged 60+ and their caregivers who need mental health and/or substance use support. Programs are available throughout Massachusetts and vary slightly based on the specific needs of each community.

Services include:

Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT)   

Behavioral health clinicians provide in-depth assessments and develop care plans that may include individualized counseling, care coordination, and referrals. EMHOTs come right to the consumer and work with the older adult for typically six to nine months. Clinicians can meet the older adult in their home, or in at a location that is comfortable for the consumer, such as a local park.  

Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Senior)  

Healthy IDEAS is designed as a practical intervention to detect and reduce signs and symptoms of depression in older adults. The program aims to empower at-risk older adults through involvement in meaningful activities. Healthy IDEAS is available to older adults enrolled in the Massachusetts Home Care Program. 

Certified Older Adult Peer Specialists (COAPS)  

Peer Specialists trained on topics including the aging process, suicide, substance use, dementia, physical illness, mental health, and aging in community, provide support, either in-person or remotely, for older adults with mental health challenges. COAPS is available to older adults enrolled in the Massachusetts Home Care Program. The program can also be offered virtually.   

Advocacy & Navigating Care in the Home with Ongoing Risks (ANCHOR)  

Providing time-intensive, rigorous care management for older adults, with or without a behavioral health diagnosis, who are at risk of institutionalization or homelessness due to the inability to accept or retain services. ANCHOR is available to older adults enrolled in the Massachusetts Home Care Program. 

Additionally, the following supports are available to Massachusetts residents of all ages: 

Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs)   

There are 31 CBHCs across Massachusetts that offer a wide range of mental health and substance use treatment programs. 24/7 in-person crisis support is immediate, confidential, and available for all MassHealth members and MA residents, regardless of insurance status.

988  

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help with a suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, as well as any other kind of emotional distress. The service is also available for anyone worried about a friend or family member who may need crisis support.

Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL)  

BHHL connects individuals and families across Massachusetts to a full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care.

Funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MassOptions is a free phone and online chat service that helps connect aging adults and their families or caregivers with quality aging and disability services, agencies, and organizations in your community. MassOptions’ trained specialists have the knowledge to point you in the right direction and help you find the services you need.   

Not sure where to start? Our representatives are here to help you find the best options for your individual needs and make sure you get all of the information available to you. MassOptions is available in 100+ languages. 

MassOptions can provide:   

• Assistance finding a local aging or disability service 
• Assistance connecting aging adults with the care they need 
• Assistance identifying local organizations to best meet the caller’s need(s) 

To contact MassOptions, call 800-243-4636 or visit https://www.massoptions.org