Massachusetts Home Care Program | Executive office of Elder Affairs in coordination with Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs),

Home Care Program Overview

The Massachusetts Home Care Program provides support services to elders with daily living needs to help maintain independent community living. Services are designed to encourage independence and ensure dignity. The program also supports families caring for elders in order to encourage and relieve ongoing care giving responsibilities. The Home Care Program is administered by the Executive office of Elder Affairs in coordination with Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs), located in communities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program provides homemaker, personal care, day care, home delivered meals, transportation, and an array of other community support services to help elders remain in their homes. The ASAP conducts comprehensive needs assessments to determine eligibility for the Home Care Program as well as other programs and services as appropriate. An individualized service plan is developed with the elder and his/her family. On an ongoing basis, the ASAP conducts reassessments and monitors services for quality.

Eligibility for the Home Care Program is based on age (60 years or older or under 60 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and in need or respite services), financial status, and ability to carry out daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.

Eligibility for the Home Care Program

60 years or older or under 60 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and in need of respite services
Codes
Functional Impairment Levels (FIL) - Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) - Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, continence, transferring, and mobility

• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) include meal preparation, shopping, laundry, managing money, housework, transportation, use of telephone, outdoor mobility, and taking medicine


• Critical Unmet Needs include ADLs, meal preparation, shopping, medical transportation, and need for home health services or respite care

Financial

MassHealth members are financially eligible. Income guidelines require Annual Gross Income less than $24,838/single and 35,145/couple.

Monthly Co-Payments

• $9-$130 for individuals with incomes that range from $10,924-$24,837


• $17-$140 for couples with incomes that range from $14,646-$35,144

Respite Over-Income Scale

• 50%-100% of cost of services

Massachusetts Home Care Program Overview

Home Care Program Overview

Home Care Program Overview

The Massachusetts Home Care Program provides support services to elders with daily living needs to help maintain independent community living. Services are designed to encourage independence and ensure dignity. The program also supports families caring for elders in order to encourage and relieve ongoing care giving responsibilities. The Home Care Program is administered by the Executive office of Elder Affairs in coordination with Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs), located in communities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program provides homemaker, personal care, day care, home delivered meals, transportation, and an array of other community support services to help elders remain in their homes. The ASAP conducts comprehensive needs assessments to determine eligibility for the Home Care Program as well as other programs and services as appropriate. An individualized service plan is developed with the elder and his/her family. On an ongoing basis, the ASAP conducts reassessments and monitors services for quality.
Eligibility for the Home Care Program is based on age (60 years or older or under 60 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and in need or respite services), financial status, and ability to carry out daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.

Eligibility for the Home Care Program

Age

60 years or older or under 60 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and in need of respite services

Codes

Functional Impairment Levels (FIL) - Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) - Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Uniform Intake

Functional Impairment Level (FIL) 1-3, with critical unmet needs

Functional Impairment Levels

FIL 1 4-7 ADL impairments
FIL 2 2-3 ADL impairments
FIL 3 6-10 ADL/IADL impairments

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, continence, transferring, and mobility
• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) include meal preparation, shopping, laundry, managing money, housework, transportation, use of telephone, outdoor mobility, and taking medicine
• Critical Unmet Needs include ADLs, meal preparation, shopping, medical transportation, and need for home health services or respite care

Financial

MassHealth members are financially eligible. Income guidelines require Annual Gross Income less than $24,838/single and 35,145/couple.

Monthly Co-Payments

• $9-$130 for individuals with incomes that range from $10,924-$24,837
• $17-$140 for couples with incomes that range from $14,646-$35,144

Respite Over-Income Scale

• 50%-100% of cost of services

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (OAA, Title VII, Chapter 2, Sections 711/712)

• The Purpose of the Program and How it Works
• Data Highlight Extensive Services Provided to People Living in Long-Term Care Facilities
• Resource Update for State Long-Term Care Ombudsmen: Fact Sheet and Guidance for Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 and Opportunities for Coordination Related to Section Q Implementation
• Funding History
• Resources and Useful links

The Purpose of the Program and How It Works

Long-Term Care Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted living facilities and similar adult care facilities. They work to resolve problems of individual residents and to bring about changes at the local, state and national levels that will improve residents’ care and quality of life.
Begun in 1972 as a demonstration program, the Ombudsman Program today exists in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, under the authorization of the Older Americans Act. Each state has an Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, headed by a full-time state ombudsman. Thousands of local ombudsman staff and volunteers work in hundreds of communities throughout the country as part of the statewide ombudsman programs, assisting residents and their families and providing a voice for those unable to speak for themselves.
The statewide programs are federally funded under Titles III and VII of the Act and other federal, state and local sources. The AoA-funded National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center , operated by the National Consumers’ Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (or, Consumer Voice), in conjunction with the National Association of States Agencies on Aging United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD), provides training and technical assistance to state and local ombudsmen.

 

Data Highlight Extensive Services Provided to Persons Living in Long-Term Care Facilities

Program data for FY 2011 indicate that long-term care ombudsman services to residents were provided by 1,186 full-time equivalent staff and 9065 volunteers, trained and certified to investigate and resolve complaints. These volunteers and paid ombudsmen:

• Worked to resolve 204,044 complaints, opening 134,775 new cases (a case contains one or more complaints originating from the same person(s)).
• Resolved or partially resolved 73% of all complaints to the satisfaction of the resident or complainant.
• Provided 289,668 consultations to individuals
• Visited 70% of all nursing homes and 33% of all board and care, assisted living and similar homes at least quarterly.
• Conducted 5,144 training sessions in facilities on such topics as residents’ rights.
• Provided 114,033 consultations to long-term care facility managers and staff and participated in 20,958 resident council and 3,321 family council meetings.

The five most frequent nursing facility complaints in 2011 were:

• Improper eviction or inadequate discharge planning;
• Lack of respect for residents, poor staff attitudes;
• Medications – administration, organization; and
• Resident conflict, including roommate to roommate.

The five most frequent board and care and similar facilities complaints were:

• Quality, quantity, variation and choice of food;
• Medications – administration, organization;
• Inadequate or no discharge/eviction notice or planning;
• Equipment or building hazards; and
• Lack of respect for residents, poor staff attitudes.

For more information on ombudsman activities and the types of cases/complaints that they investigated, see 2011 National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS) data.

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Resource Update for State Long-Term Care Ombudsmen: Fact Sheet and Guidance for Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 and Opportunities for Coordination Related to Section Q Implementation

On November 3, 2010 Assistant Secretary on Aging Kathy Greenlee and Cindy Mann, Director, Center for Medicaid, CHIP and Survey & Certification released a joint-letter informing State Medicaid Agencies (SMA) and other stakeholders, particularly Money Follows the Person Grantees, about opportunities for collaboration and coordination with State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs for the implementation of the SNF/NF MDS 3.0 assessment tool. The MDS is administered to all individuals in SNF/NFs nationwide that receive Medicaid and/or Medicare funding. In an effort to support individuals living in SNFs/NFs who wish to learn about available home and community based services (HCBS) options and available long-term care (LTC) supports in the community, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the Minimum Data Set (MDS) version 3.0 Section Q. The MDS 3.0 instructs facilities to contact Local Contact Agencies to provide information and options counseling to residents. In addition, AoA and CMS are encouraging States to coordinate with State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs and to consider requesting the use of MFP funds to support the increased demands for Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program services anticipated as a result of MDS 3.0 Section Q implementation. As an additional resource, AoA-funded National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center has developed a Fact Sheet on MDS 3.0 Section Q.

Loneliness and depression in spousal caregivers [Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2003] - PubMed - NCBI

Loneliness and depression in spousal car... [Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2003] - PubMed - NCBI: Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2003 Jun;17(3):135-43.

Loneliness and depression in spousal caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease versus non-caregiving spouses.





William F Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3812, USA. B29111@aol.com

Abstract



Loneliness as a factor in the development of depression in Alzheimer's disease (AD) spousal caregivers has been given little attention. In this sample, 49 AD caregiving spouses reported significantly higher levels of loneliness and depression than did 52 non-caregiving spouses. AD caregiving wives reported greater loss of self and significantly higher levels of loneliness and depression than did AD caregiving husbands. Loneliness was the only predictive variable for AD caregiver depression, explaining 49% of the total variance. To meet the mental health needs of AD caregiving spouses, loneliness must be addressed along with the development of nursing interventions.

Planning Checklist: For patients and their caregivers preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home, or other care setting11376.pdf

- http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/11376.pdf 

Your Discharge Planning Checklist:

For patients and their caregivers preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home,

or other care setting

 During your stay, your doctor and the staff will work with you to plan for

your discharge. You and your caregiver (a family member or friend who may

be helping you) are important members of the planning team. Below is a

checklist of important things you and your caregiver should know to prepare

for discharge.



Instructions:

•

Use this checklist early and often during your stay.

Talk to your doctor and the staff (like a discharge planner, social worker, or nurse) about the items on the checklist.
 

Check the box next to each item when you and your caregiver complete it.
 

Use the notes column to write down important information

(like names and phone numbers).
 

Skip any items that don’t apply to you

full control of your telephone impose adjustable restrictions

Available from Amazon
T-lock Outgoing Call Blocker w/ Allow Memory and Cut-off Timer - Wallplate Style by hqtelecom.com
This discrete telephone box hides an electronic circuit that allows you (the owner) to retain full control of your phoneline while imposing these adjustable restrictions:
- Diallow outboung dialing of virtually all long distance telephone numbers (0+, 1+ calls)
- Add a list of allowed numbers including 7 or 10 digit telephone numbers, prefixes or area codes (up to 250 digits combined).
- Activate a call timer that will trigger as soon you the telephone handset is picked up and will cut off all calls (both incoming and outgoing calls) at the time you specific from 1 to 99 minutes
Easy to install, program and use
Works with analog lines and most VOIP lines
4-digit security code bypasses all restrictions
One unit can protect all extensions
Line Powered (no batteries, no external power needed)
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PRO Call Blocker - Ver 2.0 - Incoming & Outgoing Telephone Number Blockerby Cheeta
Block up to 1,200 incoming phone numbers & faxes in Blacklist (16 digit each)
Block up to ten (10) incoming area codes and/or prefixes (up to 10 digits each)
Block up to 100 outgoing phone numbers (with owner's passcode)
Block calls with no caller ID information (shown as unknown, private, out of area, anonymous, etc)
Line powered

Download EasyLiving Free "Long Distance Caregiver Checkli

Download EasyLiving Free "Long Distance Caregiver Checkli





 The EasyLiving Home Caregiving Difference: With many years advocating for the rights of seniors and their families in Florida, we recognized what was lacking among private duty home care providers that elders needed most: flexible, high quality, personalized home caregiving. We established EasyLiving in response to what we would want for our own family, more personalized service, flexible scheduling and reliable, expert caregivers. We’re at your service whenever and wherever you need us, with home care for the way you live.

Phone:  727-448-0900      

Fax:  727-443-5258

1180 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 701

Clearwater, FL 33756                                  

Serving Pinellas and Pasco Counties-Clearwater, Largo, Belleair, Seminole, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, New Port Richey and more

Read more: http://www.easylivingfl.com/#ixzz2LR3sXEYp

Eldercare services include: senior care management, and  personal property managers who understand the special needs of elders and caregivers. Good ones appreciate that a person's home represents a lifetime and memories. To transition a individual and carer faces many decisions to consider.

  Find a firm to provide a wide range of primary services such as:
  a firm to manage absentee property watch - protect property during transition
  a firm to work with you handle estate matters
 a fir
Consider using a one-stop senior real estate service and / or personal property manager

A non tradition clock that shows a period of day

People with memory problems can have trouble telling whether it is day or night, or morning or afternoon, or simply need reassurance about what day it is

 This clock does not show day/date/time however it clearly shows the "time" as the "period" of day.

How to use your Day Clock

.

The Aetrex Navistar GPS Footwear System · GPS Shoe

The Aetrex Navistar GPS Footwear System · GPS Shoe: GPS Shoe



Millions of seniors with dementia will wander in search of their lost memories. While we can’t find those remembrances, we can find the lost victims themselves.



The Mayo Clinic describes Alzheimer’s and the problem of Wandering: The disease can erase a person’s memory of once-familiar surroundings, as well as make it extremely difficult to adapt to new surroundings. As a result, people who have Alzheimer’s may wander away from their homes or care centers and turn up lost, frightened and disoriented — sometimes far from where they started.

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GPS shoes can help track people with Alzheimer's (video)

Alzheimer’s Speaks / Shifting Our Dementia Care Culture / International Resources

Alzheimer’s Speaks / Shifting Our Dementia Care Culture / International Resources

Bottom line all businesses, communities as well as individuals need to become Dementia Friendly. The statistics alone show the numbers are staggering and only growing. Now is the time to get ahead of the game before negative outcomes increase. We offer "Dementia Friendly Programs" for both companies and individuals.

Alzheimer's Speaks believes collaboration is the key to living a successful and purpose filled life with dementia.  By working together, we can push both conventional and alternative efforts forward in search of answers.  By joining forces and sharing knowledge, we can win the battle against dementia.

MA80- Motion Activated Alarm w/ Auto Telephone Dialer

MA80- Motion Activated Alarm w/ Auto Dialer. Technical Details: It will call up to 3 people when anyone enters monitored area!
Silently monitors your home or business
Infrared system senses any human motion up to 20 feet away
Loud 125 decibel alarm (the alarm feature can be disabled if you prefer a silent alarm).
Alerts you of any intrusion by phone

x23

Up to three phone numbers are automatically dialed and your pre-recorded message (up to six seconds long) is played. You could program it to call your neighbor, the police, and your cell phone and play a message like, "this is John Doe, an intruder has been detected in my home located at 123 Maple St.."

Features include simple operation (can be installed by anyone in only minutes), arms and disarms using a keypad (you set your own security code), and entry and exit delays help prevent false alarms.

Two alarm system warning decals are included.

Uses on your current phone line the unit comes with a line splitter (an additional line is not required) and 6 feet of phone cable.

RFID TAG ALARM SYSTEM | Monitor will track your tags it will alarm you when they are outside the set range.

RFID Tag Alarm System from Safety and Security Center

x70

RFID TAG ALARM SYSTEM will alarm you when RFID Tag is outside the set range.

Never Forget or Lose Your LO Again!

Patented wireless technology RFID alerts you when the tagged item moves beyond your comfort zone - effectively preventing loss, theft, or just forgetting an item. Attach the tag to any of your belongings. Turn on the MONITOR. Set the range - Short or Long. Monitor will track your tags and will alarm you when they are outside the set range.

Keep track of laptops, cell phones, briefcases and other commonly lost or stolen items, the electronic "security cable" for your portable valuables. Secure a tag to the item, and then set the monitor's boundary to short (up to 30 feet) or long-range (up to 100 feet). The tiny monitor can attach to a belt loop or key ring; or slip it into a pocket or purse. If your item strays too far, a loud alarm alerts you!

Is small enough to fit in your wallet or cell phone. Works for over 9 months 24/7 Non-stop monitoring the tagged item. Is designed to respond within a few seconds with a strong audio alarm. Has two-range settings to choose from Is smart enough to discriminate between different tags. Will not interfere with other wireless products.

Includes a Monitor that can be clipped to a belt, key ring, or simply placed in a pocket. A Tag that is clipped or adhered to the valued item. Size: 1.75 x 1 x .10

warning person is within 15' of the detector,(near to warning point)

Wireless Wander Alarm 15094, 195
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monitors the travel of individual. Using two components: a motion detector and a wireless remote (pager) alarm.

Locate motion detector near the doorway (mounting tape supplied) and turn it on. When someone approachesz within 15' of the detector, a signal is sent to the alarm/pager.

The alarm sounds, alerting carer The transmitter/sensor doesn't sound, eliminating the risk of starling the person. You may choose one of three alarm tones: musical, bell, or siren.

The activated alarm continues to sound for 2 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1 minute after last motion detected.

The receiver can be as close as an inch to the motion detector/transmitter or up to 120 feet away.

You can place receiver down or carry it with you.

The detector plugs directly into an outlet or can use a 9V battery.
Remote alarm receiver uses 3 AA batteries.

Not for outdoor use.

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GE Wireless-Alarm-System for doors and windows Part Number: 51107

Product Specifications Part Number: 51107

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Dimensions Length: 10.50 inches Width: 8 inches Height: 2 inches

120-Decibel alarm sounds when window or door is opened

Uses 4-digit keypad to set security code for arming/disarming Alarm delay feature avoids false triggering

Three window alarms included

GE 51107 Personal Security Alarm Kit includes everything you need to help secure your home

There's no wiring or drilling required for installation.


Simply mount the deluxe door alarm and any of the window alarms using either double-sided tape or screws (included).

The door and window alarms feature a contemporary design with easy access buttons and controls for simple operation.

Keypad for Peace of Mind The deluxe door alarm features a four-digit keypad for programming your custom pin, to secure any door in your home.

The unit mounts easily with the included mounting plate. No measuring or messing with templates. Using the included double-side tape or screws, simply attach the mounting plate in the desired location and snap the door alarm into place

Select instant or delayed alarms with the flip of an easy-access switch. In the 'Away' mode, you have 45 seconds to exit your home after you arm the system.

When you get back home, simply open the door and deactivate the alarm within 30 seconds by entering your custom four-digit code. The 30-second delay helps to eliminate false triggering of the alarm. When you're home, simply select 'Home' mode for an instant alarm. With a 1

When not in 'Alarm' mode, all the alarms in the Alarm Kit offer a chime setting that alerts each time a door is opened. This is a great safety feature if you have small children that may make their way outside unsupervised.

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You are stongly encouraged to read user product reviews and comments when evaluating your needs and the product under consideration.

GE 51207 Motion Sensor Alarm

GE 51207 Smart Home Wireless Motion Sensor Alarm

Product Specifications
Part Number: 51207
Item Dimensions Length: 8 inches Width: 2.25 inches Height: 10.55 inches

No wiring necessary
keychain used for arming and disarming Delay feature to eliminate false alarms

120dB alarm sounds when pin is removed

Motion Detection up to 20-Feet 120dB motion sensing alarm system

simple door chime mode to announce visitors.

ASIN: B00032ATTW

Chamberlain Motion sensor signals station up to 900 feet away

Wireless Pedestrian and Vehicle Alert System RWA300R www.chamberlain-diy.com

x96

Designed as Vehicle Alert System, however DIY person may find other uses.
Alerts you with light and sound.
Box contains 1 base station, 1 motion sensor, 1 AC adapter, mounting hardware, and non-slip feet.
Detects motion up to 30 feet away with wide 120 degree coverage
Transmits signal to base station up to 900 feet away Motion sensor features adjustable sensitivity control to prevent false alarms from small animals
Detection indicators with light and sound
Receiver features a 1-hour mute feature (patent pending)
Connect base station with up to 4 motion sensors
Portable and lightweight for use inside or out Durable, weather-resistant design

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Chamberlain Wireless Alert System Item# 333182 www.kotulas.com
"Easily expands to work with up to 4 transmitters, or run two or more complete systems to monitor 8 or more areas at once.
Set includes one receiver and one transmitter. Runs up to 12 months on one set of 4 AA batteries"

Medical Alert Telephone with Motion Sensor

Telephone with Motion Sensor

Calls telephone number (after programming) of caregiver, family member or neighbor.

Locate telephone with motion sensor in telephone base aiming where motion sensor picks up movement.

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You are strongly encouraged to read user product reviews and comments when evaluating your needs and the product under consideration.

Mary's Corner: Failure to Thrive is a Reality - Concierge Care Advisors

Mary's Corner: Failure to Thrive is a Reality - Concierge Care Advisors: The National Institute of Aging describes failure to thrive (FTT) as a “syndrome of weight loss, decreased appetite and poor nutrition, and inactivity, often accompanied by dehydration, depressive symptoms, impaired immune function, and low cholesterol”.

 Many of these features of FTT are actually defined as features of frailty including weight loss, malnutrition, and inactivity. In geriatric practice, FTT describes a syndrome of global decline that occurs in older adults as a worsening of physical frailty that is frequently compounded by cognitive impairment and/or functional disability. FTT describes a point further along a geriatric functional continuum that is closer to full dependence and death, with “frailty as a mid-point between independence and pre-death”

When FTT sets in, it is time for you to get step in with our professional Senior Advisors to reach good decisions based on the medical, mental and emotional care needs of your loved one. This is no time to guess what you think your loved one needs; you may not get a second chance to set things right. As noted by the clinical description above, symptoms of FTT will result in quick death if not addressed swiftly.