SENIOR
CENTER RESOURCES
Scroll
down this page to see the resources at the Senior Center
Click on
these links to see Additional Resources
Advocacy
Groups
Alzheimer/Dementia
& Related Disorders
Caregivers
Emergency
Services
Financial/Retirement
Assistance
Grief/Funeral
Planning
Health
Insurance
Health
Screenings
Housing
Concerns
Legal
Assistance/ Lawyer Referral Services
Medical
Referrals
Nursing
Home/Respite Information
Support
Groups
Transportation
Concerns
RESOURCES AT THE SENIOR CENTER
TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM
Residents living alone or disabled may complete a form kept confidential
and on file with the Police Department providing emergency personnel
with a person to contact in the event of an emergency and who
has a key to your home in the event of an emergency.
ERRAND RUNNERS
Residents unable to use the Longmeadow minibus may request an
errand runner to run an errand, take them to a doctor's appointment,
etc. by calling the Senior Center at 565-4150. A home visit by
the Health Coordinator or Social Service Coordinator is required
prior to participation in the program.
FILE OF LIFE
Emergency medical information is recorded on a index sized card
and secured with a magnet on your refrigerator at home clearly
visible for medical personnel to access in the event of a medical
emergency. Information is also recorded on a wallet sized card
carried in your wallet. Call the Senior Center for details. 565-4150.
FRIENDLY VISITORS
Volunteers offer friendly conversation to Longmeadow residents
or local nursing home residents on an average of once every 7-10
days. Various activities or outings can be initiated with the
elder depending on the individual situation.
GAS DISCOUNT
CARDS
Applications are available through the Senior Center. Discount
applies to labor charges for appliance service work only.
GROCERY DELIVERY
Weekly grocery delivery from the Longmeadow Community Market
is available through the Senior Center. Call 565-4150 for details.
HEALTH CARE
PROXY
A legal document which allows you to appoint someone to make
health care/medical decisions for you--should you be unable.
You can learn more about health care proxy documents by consulting
Chapter 201D of the Massachusetts General Laws or contact the
Senior Center at 565-4150.
Health Insurance
Counselors - SHINE PROGRAM
Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders provides trained
volunteer counselors who will assist you with all questions and
problems relating to health insurance such as Medicaid/MassHealth,
Medicare, MEDEX, long term care planning, managed care plans,
private insurance plans. Appointments are necessary. Call 565-4150.
HOUSING
Linda Collina and Janice McGowan at the Longmeadow Senior Center,
565-4150, can offer information on the following housing options:
Assisted Living, Congregate Living, Home Sharing, Nursing Homes,
Subsidized Housing, Rehabilitation Centers, Rest Homes, Retirement
Living, and referrals for in-home companions, home health aides
and nursing services.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
LOAN CLOSET
Medical equipment on loan; walkers, commodes, high rise toilet
seats, quad canes, tub grab bars, tub transfer chairs and limited
wheelchairs. Please contact the Senior Center before purchasing
such items. No charge for items loaned. Upon returning equipment,
please leave your name. For details call the Longmeadow Senior
Center at 565-4150
NOTARY PUBLIC
The Longmeadow Senior Center has a Notary Public available to
notarize documents. The Notary will come to the home if deemed
necessary.
OUTREACH -
HOME VISITS
The Senior Center Health Coordinator and Social Service Coordinators
provide home visits for residents and caregivers. Routine monthly
social calls are made to residents. Visits are made to evaluate
and assess the needs to determine whether a homemaker, aide or
other assistance is needed to help them maintain their independence
at while living at home. Contact Linda Collina or Janice McGowan
at 565-4150.
RESPITE CARE
A short period of rest or relief to allow family members time
away from caregiving responsibilities. Service is provided through
local nursing homes, rest homes and day care centers. Linda Collina
and Janice McGowan at the Longmeadow Senior Center are able to
provide details on the availability of respite services, call
565-4150.
TELEPHONE
OUTREACH
Receive a friendly telephone call from a Senior Center Volunteer
on a regular basis.
Health Services Coordinator - Janice McGowan, RN
Social Service Coordinator -Linda Collina 565-4150
TRANSPORTATION
Pioneer
Valley Transit Authority (PVTA)
Contracts services with MASS SERVICES for SENIORS 736-5468
The Longmeadow
Mini-Van provides transportation to residents over the age of
60 and those who are physically challenged. The service operates,
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Longmeadow and
surrounding communities are accessible through the mini-bus as
are medical appointments, errands, hairdressers, shopping and
trips to the Senior Center. Reservations are made by calling
the 736-5468 at least 24 hours in advance but not more than 2
weeks in advance.

ADVOCACY
GROUPS
AARP - NEW ENGLAND
116 Huntington Avenue
Area 1 Office
Boston, MA 02116
617-723-7600
Regional AARP office for Massachusetts and the New England region.
Call for information on all AARP programs, services or publications.
BETTER BUSINESS
BUREAU OF WESTERN MASS
293 Bridge Street
Springfield, MA 01103
734-3114
Monday - Friday
The Better Business Bureau provides reliability reports to consumers
about local and national companies. The Bureau also provides
arbitration for consumers who are experiencing problems with
new and use vehicles. Lastly, "BBB/Care" provides mediation
and arbitration services for resolving consumer-business disputes.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
OF ELDER AFFAIRS - MASS
1 ASHBURTON PLACE
BOSTON, MA 02108
617-7272-7750
800-882-2003
State office which oversees state funded programs for elderly
residents of Massachusetts.
GRAY PANTHERS
- National
2025 Pennsylvania Avenue
Suite 821
Washington, DC 20006
800-280-5362
202-466-3132
The Gray Panthers is an elder advocacy and educational organization
working for social change by addressing issues such as national
health care, housing, environment, education, and peace. They
also provide information and referral re: aging, and public resources
MassPRO-MA Peer
Review Organization
235 Wyman Street
Waltham, MA 02154
617-890-0011 or 800-252-5533
MassPRO is a federally designated peer review organization that
conducts utilization and quality of care review for the Medicare
population. Contact MassPRO to appeal a denial of hospital coverage.
MassPRO is committed to educating Medicare beneficiaries and
those who advocate for them, about their benefits under the Medicare
program, and about the purpose and review procedures of the PRO
program as carried out by MassPRO.
MEDICARE ADVOCACY
PROJECT
Western Mass Legal Services
127 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103
413-781-7814 or 1-800-746-3205
The Medicare Advocacy Project(MAP) provides advice about Medicare
program requirements. It also provides representation to those
inappropriately denied coverage for needed medical services.
Operating Agency: Social Security Administration.
OMDUDSMAN PROGRAM
Greater Springfield Senior Services
66 Industry Avenue
Springfield, MA 01104
413-8800, Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:40 PM
Works to resolve residents' concern in area nursing and rest
homes, protect residents' rights, provide information and referral,
provide training and certification to volunteers and provide
advocacy.
PROTECTIVE SERVICES
UNIT
Greater Springfield Senior Services
66 Industry Avenue, Springfield, MA 01104
413-781-8800
800-922-2275 - Elder Abuse Hotline
General Information - Monday - Friday, 9 - 5 PM
Hotline 7 days per week, 24 hrs per day.
What is elder abuse?
Massachusetts law defines elder abuse as acts or omissions resulting
in serious physical or emotional injury to an elderly person.
Abuse includes: physical abuse, emotional abuse, caretaker neglect,
and financial exploitation. The Massachusetts Executive Office
of Elder Affairs has designated its State Home Care Agencies
for the provision of protective services. Reports can be made
to either the main 24 hour hotline or to the State Home Care
Agency in your area.
Who must report
elder abuse?
Physicians, medical interns, dentists, coroners, podiatrists,
osteopaths, licensed psychologists, nurses, registered physical
and occupational therapists, socials workers, family counselors,
probation officers, police officers, firefighters, emergency
medical technicians, and executive directors of homemaker and
or licensed home health aide agencies are mandated to report
elder abuse under this law.
SALT COUNCIL
Longmeadow Senior Center
231 Maple Road, Longmeadow
565-4150
Seniors and Law Enforcement Together. Council meets monthly to
address issues of concern relating to seniors and law enforcement
within the community.

ALZHEIMERS/DEMENTIA AND RELATED DISORDERS
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
11 Campus Lane, Easthampton, 01027
413-5276-0111: http://www.alz.org/ (World Site Home)
Monday - Friday - 8:30 - 1:30 PM
This is the Western Mass chapter of the national Alzheimer's
Association. The office acts as an information and referral agency
for support groups, reading materials, diagnostic services, and
advocacy efforts. This agency can also be contacted for information
on the national SAFE RETURN PROGRAM, which identifies, and helps
return to safety, people with Alzheimer's disease and related
disorders who wander away from their homes.
ALZHEIMER'S PROGRAM
VNA OF PIONEER VALLEY
50 Maple Street, Springfield 01102, 781-5070
The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Program provides
the following services at no cost:
Nurse Educator/Patient
Advocates
- in-home visits to provide education, assessment, advocacy,
and support on issues relating to Alzheimer's Disease or a demanding
illness.
Support - support groups meet monthly at four different
locations.
Information and Referral - offered for family care givers, professionals
and the general community.
Respite - provided for family care givers by trained and
supervised volunteers.
Education - provided via presentations, seminars, in-services,
and lecture series.
NURSING HOMES
with Alzheimer's Units in Hampden County
Atrium Nursing
Home - Agawam - 821-9911
Birch Manor - Chicopee - 592-7738
Holyoke Geriatric Authority - Holyoke - 536-8110
Jewish Nursing Home of Western Mass - Longmeadow - 567-6211
Mary Lyon Nursing Home - Hampden - 566-5511
Mediplex of East Longmeadow - 525-3336
Mount St. Vincent, Holyoke - 532-3246
Palmer House Nursing Home - Palmer - 283-8361
Reeds Landing Memory Impaired Center - Springfield - 782-1800
Ring Nursing Home - Springfield - 734-1111
Ruth's House - Assisted Living - Longmeadow -567-6212 (opening
July 1998)
RESPITE CARE
- A short period of rest or relief to allow family members time
away from caregiving responsibilities. Service is provided through
local nursing homes, rest homes and day care centers. Linda Collina
and Janice McGowan at the Longmeadow Senior Center are able to
provide details on the availability of respite services, call
565-4150.
SAFE RETURN PROGRAM
11 Campus Lane, Easthampton 01027
413-527-0111 or 800-572-1122
The Safe Return Program is a national program which identified,
and helps return to safety, people with Alzheimer's Disease and
related disorders who wander away from their homes. Contact Alzheimer's
Association of Western Mass at the above number or your local
Council on Aging at 565-4150.

CAREGIVERS
CHILDREN OF AGING
PARENTS
2761 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA 19056
215-945-6900
CAPS develops support groups for care givers of the infirm elderly.
It conducts Employee Assistance Programs, offers long distance
information and referral services, re: caregiving/support groups,
case management.
ELDERCARE LOCATOR
1112 16th Street, NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC
800-677-1116
Toll Free Number Operates, Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 6:00 PM
ElderCare Locator is a nationwide information & referral
service. It can help find appropriate community resources for
elders anywhere in the country re: senior services, nursing homes,
legal assistance, and financial aid.

EMERGENCY SERVICES
ABUSE/ELDER AT
RISK
Greater Springfield Senior Services
66 Industry Avenue, Springfield, MA 01104, 781-8800 or 800-922-2275
The elder-at-Risk program is a part of Greater Springfield Senior
Services Protective Services Department. Elder-at-Risk is designed
to assist self-neglecting and/or self-abusing persons, 60+ years
of age who, due to unsafe conditions or actions are at SERIOUS
risk in the community.
Short term, problem
focused crisis intervention is provided to assist elder to stabilize
and maintain themselves in the community. Common At-Risk issues
include: serious, untreated medical conditions; an inability
to maintain a safe living environment which can lead to eviction
or property condemnation; inability to provide for nutritional
needs, prescribed medication, personal care; and the inability
to manage finances. Elder-At-Risk assists those elders who are
without other formal or informal supports and have resisted efforts
by other individuals or agencies to help them.
LIFELINE of Mercy
Hospital
271 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104
413-748-9090
LIFELINE provides round-the clock monitoring. Triggering the
device will automatically send a signal to a central station.
Trained operators then respond accordingly. Installation fee
is $35. There is then a $25/month maintenance fee. Medicaid accepted,
some private insurance accepted as well.
MEDIC ALERT
Medic Alert Foundation
Turlock, CA 95381\800-432-5378
Medic Alert service provides a bracelet or neck chain engraved
with Medic Alert 24 hour hotline and your critical medical facts.
An emergency team can then read your information and do their
work accordingly. Medical Alert provided lifetime service for
a single fee of $25.
PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Greater Springfield Senior Services
66 Industry Avenue, Springfield, 01104
781-8800 or Elder Abuse Hotline - 800-922-2275
Greater Springfield Senior Services is an Area Agency on Aging/State
Home Care Agency that offers a variety of services and programs
to elderly residents and their families in the Greater Springfield
area. The Protective Services Program investigates reports of
elder abuse or neglect in the community. Massachusetts law defines
elder abuse as acts or omissions resulting in serious physical
or emotional injury to an elderly person. Abuse includes: physical
abuse, emotional abuse, caretaker neglect, and financial exploitation.
The protective Services Program also provides a limited number
of guardianship slots via River Valley Counseling. The Massachusetts
Executive Office of Elder Affairs has designated its State Home
Care Agencies for the provision of protective services. Reports
can be made to either the main 24 hour hotline or to the State
Home Care Agency in your area.
SAFE RETURN PROGRAM
11 Campus Lane, Easthampton 01027
413-527-0111 or 800-572-1122
The Safe Return Program is a national program which identified,
and helps return to safety, people with Alzheimer's Disease and
related disorders who wander away from their homes. Contact Alzheimer's
Association of Western Mass at the above number or your local
Council on Aging at 565-4150.

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