Aging in Place
Aging in Place refers to the ability of a person to remain in their own home while receiving the necessary support and services to maintain their independence and quality of life.
Given the choice, 90% of adults would prefer to age in place independently and comfortably. Aging in place can provide an enhanced quality of life with seniors remaining in familiar surroundings which contributes to emotional well-being and life satisfaction. Staying in one’s community also allows for continued engagement with established social networks. Finally with the average Massachusetts assisted living residence and private nursing home costing $6,400 and $13,400 per month respectively, investments in modifications to stay at home can be more cost effective than relocation.
Solo Aging - Seniors Aging Alone
Aging without the support of adult children or close family members presents unique concerns. To plan for the future, solo agers need to be more intentional about forming and maintaining a network of community and professional support. The Jenks Solo Agers Network offers a series of workshops and programs that offer valuable information for both Solo Agers and Caregivers. They offer resources, advocacy, and social connections to help solo agers navigate the challenges of aging alone. Come join the discussion. Learn more about Jenks Solo Agers.
There are several topics important to an individual aging alone. Many of these resources, tips and services have been summarized in the Resources for Caregivers section. Topics there, and therefore not duplicated here, include the following:
Financial Planning
Healthcare & Mental Health
Housing
Legal & Estate Planning
Legal & Financial Preparation
Create a File Box or Binder of Key Documents Before You Need it
Gather important documents and keep them in a file box or safe. It’ll save time and stress later. Discuss with a family member, legal advisor or close friend the contents, location and access directions for documents. Consider including:
Here is a program that can help you to “organize your life” all in one binder:
Life Transition Binder Project- A project for aging seniors or in partnership with caregivers led by Sandra Batra. The Life Transition Binder is an organizational tool. It is a resource that pulls together important details from all areas of life. Many refer to it daily since all their information is at their fingertips. It is a gift for family too and can bring peace of mind knowing loved ones can assist if help is needed. What's more, it complements estate planning, and the collection of necessary documents when preparing for any moves to assisted living or when providing family members with the details needed to settle an estate. Learn more
***NOTE - Winchester plans to host a Life Transitions Binder Project Workshop for more information email Suzanne Norton at snorton@winchester.us
Money Management Resources
MM (Daily Money Manager) in Winchester Area
Minuteman Senior Services, Money Management Program- 781-721-7177 www.minutemansenior.org
Rep Payee ( for Fee service) J and P Associates 508-850-9808 $52/month
Streamlined Solutions, Robin Levine
Somerville, Massachusetts, 617-763-0490, Specialties: Busy Professionals, High Net Worth Individuals and Families
Personal Bookkeeping Services, Deena Poritzky,
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 617-669-1361
Let's Pay Bills & More,LLC, Anne Fitzpatrick Neu
Waltham, Massachusetts, 781-697-4303
Anne has a social services degree and a masters degree in management. She has worked more than 30 years with seniors and individuals with disabilities. Greater than 6 years ago she began LPB&M. Anne develops a mutual trust with those she serves.
Specialties: People with disabilities, chronic illness including mental illness, Seniors and Older Adults, Fiduciary
Kiley Financial Services, Brian Kiley
Greater Boston, Massachusetts, 978-880-8696
As a CPA with 17 years of accounting and finance experience, I have developed the knowledge and skills to help individuals get control of their finances. I work closely with my clients to understand their unique needs and create a customized plan.
Specialties: Adult Children, Busy Professionals, High Net Worth Individuals and Families, Seniors and Older Adults, Small Business Owners
Nancy B's Paper Management, CDMM Certified, Nancy Bernheimer
Newton, Massachusetts, 617-312-2507
Specialties: Busy Professionals, High Net Worth Individuals and Families, People with disabilities, chronic illness including mental illness, Seniors and Older Adults
Hart Financial Management, LLC, Amanda Gallagher
Andover, Massachusetts, (617) 868-6897, amanda@hfm-llc.com, Websitewww.hfm-llc.com
HFM specializes in helping people manage their day-to-day personal finances - paying bills, tracking insurance claims, organizing files, safeguarding important financial documents, budgeting, and more.
Specialties: Busy Professionals, High Net Worth Individuals and Families, People in life transition, divorce, loss of spouse, newly engaged, or married new to the workforce
nCeptive Daily Money Manager, Glenda Thomas
Sudbury, Massachusetts, 617-803-5016
Specialties: People with disabilities, chronic illness including mental illness, People in life transition, divorce, loss of spouse, newly engaged, or married new to the workforce, Seniors and Older Adults, Small Business Owners
Foley Management Consulting, Margie Foley
Quincy, Massachusetts, 781-336-8908
Margie Foley brings more than thirty years of successful business experience as an accomplished business owner, international sales executive and consultant to numerous businesses and families.
Specialties: Adult Children, Busy Professionals, High Net Worth Individuals and Families
Secure Money Matters, LLC, Ruth Okin
Acton, Massachusetts, 781-608-5609
With over 20 years of office management experience, and a proven track record of dependability, integrity and discretion, I am eager to meet with you and help you stay on track. I have worked with small and large offices, individual families and ... Read More »
Specialties: Adult Children, Busy Professionals, High Net Worth Individuals and Families, Military Personnel and Veterans, Non-profit Organizations, People with disabilities, chronic illness including mental illness, People in life transition, divorce, loss of spouse, newly engaged, or married new to the workforce, Seniors and Older Adults
Assurance Family Partners, LLC, Jeremy Zizmor
Quincy, Massachusetts, 617-733-9926, Jeremy Zizmor is the founder of Assurance Family Partners, a company whose mission is to assist and empower individuals and families by helping them manage their personal day-to-day finances.
Specialties: Adult Children, Busy Professionals, High Net Worth Individuals and Families, People with disabilities, chronic illness including mental illness, People in life transition, divorce, loss of spouse, newly engaged, or married new to the workforce, Seniors and Older Adults
Source AADMM American Association Daily Money Managers: https://secure.aadmm.com/ American Association of Daily Money Managers, 673 Potomac Station Drive, #801 Leesburg, VA 20176
P. 814-357-9191 E. info@aadmm.com
Healthy Living & Aging
Better Health While Aging (formerly Geriatrics for Caregivers) – Practical information on aging health and on helping older parents. Includes information on healthy aging, preventing falls, medication safety, managing Alzheimer’s, planning for end-of-life, and coping with common caregiving challenges.
Foot health is crucial for seniors because it impacts their mobility, balance, and overall quality of life. Maintaining healthy feet can help prevent falls, reduce pain, and improve their ability to remain active and independent. Additionally, foot problems can be early indicators of more serious health issues like diabetes or poor circulation, requiring timely intervention. For this reason, Jenks provides monthly podiatry appointments. Learn more and sign up.
Safety
Avoiding Falls
The number one action driving seniors from independence is a fall. Each year 1 in 4 older adults experience significant falls with approximately 50% of these occurring in their homes. With current trends and falls the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among older adults, we can expect 7 fall deaths every hour by 2030. (CDC).
Most of this section addresses the controllable issues of modifying homes to avoid falls, but the following articles are also important to address underlying medical conditions that may also be causing falls.
Personal Emergency Response Service
Beth Israel Lahey Health, Winchester Hospital offers a Medical Alert Program- using the Guardian System (781) 756-4752- To call for help, you simply press the personal help button you wear as a pendant or wristband. The personal help button activates a small, in-home communicator that automatically dials the Medical Guardian Response Center. 200 Unicorn Park Dr., Suite 401, Woburn, MA 01801
LifeLine (855) 596-7310 With 24/7/365 help available at the press of a button, you'll have peace of mind with our easy-to-use medical alert systems. To call for help, you simply press the personal help button you wear as a pendant or wristband. The personal help button activates a small, in-home communicator that automatically dials the Lifeline Response Center., https://www.lifeline.com/
Lively (866) 829-4527 Our all-in-one medical alert gets help at the touch of a button. Fastest call response time*, Enhanced GPS, Long-lasting battery, Waterproof, Fall Detection available, Confirm device status with Health Check button FSA/HSA/HRA eligible More Info $47.99 Regularly $79.99Offer Details. Plus, monthly plan, activation fee and taxes. Includes free shipping.
Fast Help (866) 964-3375- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Button-FastHelp® is the sleek new 4G medical alert device that instantly connects you with free unlimited help anytime, anywhere nationwide where cell service is available with no monthly bills ever. Get access to help at the push of a button with no monthly bills ever and all in a compact, lightweight and user friendly unit.NO Activation Fees! NO Service Contracts! NO Deposits & No Monthly Bills! $149, Plus, S&H, originally $299. Limited Time Offer, 30 Day Money Back Offer- 866-964-3375, https://buyfasthelp.com/
Be Safer at Home (866) 513-7377 Giving you and your loved one’s peace of mind. Offering Medical Alert System, Cellular Base Station, Mobile Alert System, and Fall Detector Options. Medical alarm systems offer a range of solutions for keeping you safe wherever you are. www.besaferathome.com
Massachusetts General Brigham (978) 236-1525 Any time you need help – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – a PERS system is there. Press your Personal Help Button if you’ve fallen and you are not sure if you’re seriously injured or if you just need some help getting back on your feet. Your Response Associate will quickly determine what you need, whether it’s assistance from a neighbor or emergency response services. https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org (Search Hospitals/Services/Specialties and Healthcare at Home, Healthcare Technology)
Medication Dispensing (800) 910-4225- you manage your medications without worry or confusion. An alarm alerts you when it’s time for medication, so you never miss a dose.
Staar Alert- WellAware Care (800) 338-7114- STAAR Alert uses Vayyar Care’s wall
mounted fall detection sensor to accurately detect falls in real time. This combined with an under-the-mattress bed sensor provides 24/7 touchless monitoring of sleep patterns and in and out of bed activity. www.staaralert.com
Safety Plans & Home Modification
Aging in place typically requires creating a safe environment and conducting a space risk assessment. Nine of 10 homes do not have modification in their home to support safe aging in place. According to the CDC modifying the home can reduce fall risks by up to 40%. Several organizations are available to conduct these assessments, but the Winchester Council on Aging recommends looking to Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy organizations, such as Healthy Aging Physical Therapy to work with you and or your loved ones to develop a personalized plan that helps you proactively and cost effectively create safe, functional and personalized living spaces where you can age in place.
***Tip - “Home safety evaluations should be collaborative, client-centered and customized. A professional should not be entering your home with a one-size fits all prescriptive approach, but rather should take time to get to know you and what challenges you are facing. They should take a problem-solving based approach, that takes into account a client’s values, activities and roles.” - Shannon Hardy, OTR/L,Healthy Aging
Quick ideas:
In Home Safety, Home Enhancements, Safety Assessments and Installation and Repair
Healthy Aging Physical Therapy
Support at Home: Providing strategies and resources to enhance home environments and promote independence.
katie@healthyagingpt.com phone: (617) 398 – 4508 fax: (781) 262-3337
Home of Mine:
Need equipment? Need a home modification? Need a safety assessment? Need home based fitness training? Need private physical or occupational therapy? Need your current rehab program supplemented? Don’t quite know what you need but are worried about your loved one? WE CAN HELP!
100 Powder Mill Rd, Suite 176, Acton, MA 01720 phone: 978-431-0015 E-mail: info@homeofmine.org
Minuteman Senior Services
Provides a number of programs to help keep you living at home independently, longer. Including homecare, meals on wheels, information and referral, caregiver programs, and so much more.
www.minutemansenior.org phone: 781-272-7177
Natale CO & Safety Care:
Address: 9 3rd Rd, Woburn, MA 01801 Phone: (781) 933-7205
Natale Company & SafetyCare is a fully licensed Construction Contractor specializing in residential, commercial and institutional accessible projects. They offer installation of and delivery of durable equipment- Some of the more popular items include grab bars, handrails,. They also offer repair services- When existing equipment needs to be serviced or fixed we are there to help you out. We can repair brakes, batteries, and/or wheels on most rollators, wheelchairs, scooters as well as remotes on lift chairs - even if you did not purchase the product originally from us.
Next Day Access- Wheelchair Ramps, Stairlifts, Grab Bars, & More. Free estimates & Quality Service. Next Day Access provides safe & professional accessibility solutions throughout the entire home. Phone: 617-969-7267. Email: Davidg@nextdayaccess.com Website: www.nextdayaccess.com
Medicare does not pay for Home Modification Equipment, such as stair lifts. They do pay for chair lift mechanism, but not the furniture. Go to www.Medicare.gov for a list of Medicare Approved DME Suppliers or call phone: 800-633-4227(1-800-Medicare)
If you have Medicaid, this might be helpful:
Medicaid may pay a portion of stairlift costs, but coverage will vary by state. A licensed healthcare professional must designate the stairlift as medically necessary. The good news is that you might be able to get financial assistance via the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/index.html offered through Medicaid. HCBS allows Medicaid members to receive health services in their homes rather than institutions or outside settings. If you apply and are approved, you will receive a waiver to pay for a stairlift and the cost of installation.
Massachusetts has a Home Modification Loan Program that Suzanne Norton at Jenks is probably familiar with.
https://www.mass.gov/home-modification-loan-program-hmlp
Email: sgillam@cedac.org Phone: 1-866-500-5599 Cell: 857-939-7227
Minuteman Senior Services at 800-439-2370 www.minutemansenior.org
Stannah – The Stairlift People- 888-386-6298
www.Stannah-Stairlifts.com/Safe-At-Home
Stairlifts and Ramps- 866-549-8893- new- pre-owned -rentals
Staar Alert - Fall Detection Technology (through Vayyar) Wall mounted fall detectors scan the room 24/7 and will alert you of a fall with – in minutes of it occurring. No Cameras, No Wearables, No Buttons phone: 781-862-3300https://www.staaralert.com/medical-alert-system
Isolation & Loneliness as a Medical Risk
Social isolation and loneliness are serious health risks for older adults. They can lead to a higher risk of physical conditions, such as: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, weakened immune system, and Type 2 diabetes. They also lead to mental risks, including: anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and self-harm. Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly being recognized as a priority public health problem.
To avoid isolation when aging alone, seniors must focus on actively maintaining social connections by reaching out to family and friends regularly, joining community groups or clubs based on their interests, volunteering, exploring new hobbies, utilizing technology for communication, and considering pet companionship if suitable. Caregivers should help their loved one remain open to trying new activities and seeking support from local organizations or senior centers when needed.
Engaged seniors don't wait for others to reach out, they take initiative to connect with people and be open to new experiences. Help ensure your loved one has reliable means of transportation to attend events and activities. Stay positive and optimistic with them. Maintaining a positive attitude can help to engage with others and overcome feelings of isolation. See section on Research on Aging and Super agers for more information.
***Tip: There are many volunteer opportunities in Winchester, especially with the Enka Society, Winchester Library, local food banks, and Winchester Hospital. The Jenks is always looking for drivers to assist others with transportation needs or volunteer greeters at our front desk. Volunteering at the library or in schools not only gets seniors out of the house, but may also offer some financial relief through Winchester’s Tax Abatement program. (See Financial And Legal Services for More Information - LINK). And if you don’t live in Winchester look for volunteer opportunities for seniors in your community at Volunteermatch.com
Resources:
For more information on how to avoid isolation when aging alone
See Socialization and Education section
under General Information
In-home services
What are the different levels of In-home service providers?
Home Care Workers are non-medical care providers that assist with shopping, escorting, errands, cooking, and companionship, in addition to cleaning and laundry. Some home care workers may also be trained to provide some personal care such as dressing, bathing or grooming but it is not their primary function.
Home Health Aides. These care providers most often perform personal care tasks including assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and meal preparation. Home health aides may also perform some minimal homemaking tasks but it is not their primary function.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA’s) – These care providers most often perform personal care tasks including assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and meal preparation. CNA’s, must also pass a state certification exam that allows them to provide personal care to clients in their homes as well as in nursing homes assisted living facilities, and hospitals.
Questions to ask when hiring a home care service provider
Home Healthcare
***TIP - Note many private home care agencies have a minimum number of hours for which you must contract in order to use their services. Please be sure to ask in advance about any minimum hour requirements. Some agencies also accept long term care insurance.
Cleaning Services
Handyman Services
Plowing and Snow Removal
Personal Care & Companionship
Nutrition
General Topics
Resources
Congregate Dining/Shared Meals
Grocery shopping and/or meal delivery assistance
Transportation
Resources
***Tip - If the time has come to stop driving. Seniors might consider passing down cars to a grandchild with the understanding that the grandchild promises to take their grandparent to appointments or just “drive Miss Daisy” once a week. This partnership provides an opportunity for grandparents to spend time together and to also get out and socialize and avoid isolation. - Cathie Jackson, RN and former Mt. Vernon House Executive Director
Driver Safety
***Tip - In Massachusetts, drivers age 75 and older must renew their license in person and pass a vision test every five years. They may also be asked to take a written or road test. Illinois and New Hampshire are the only states that require older drivers to retake a road test when renewing their licenses. Vision tests are also required at that time.
General Topics
Transportation Assistance
Private Transportation Services, Ride shares
Quick Links
Isolation & Loneliness as a Medical Risk
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