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Information and Referral
 Homemaker
(HM) - Can do basic cleaning, run errands and help with household
tasks. Home
Health Aide (HHA), Personal Care Attendant (PCA) - Can assist
with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks as well as any homemaker
tasks.
Chore
Worker - Can do heavy cleaning or a special household project
Respite
Worker - Can provide supervision and companionship for people
who shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time due to dementia or
illness.
| Some other terminology
you may find |
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Social Worker (SW)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Case Manager (CM) |
- One or more of these individuals
will probably coordinate any services you receive and will oversee
any workers that come to your home. |
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Occupational Therapist (OT)
Physical Therapist (PT)
Speech Therapist (ST)
Respiratory Therapist (RT) |
- Such therapists are usually
only initiated by the order of
doctor if they are needed. |
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| State Home Care Services |
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The state has an Aging Service Access Point (ASAP) Network) that
administers a home care program run through 27 assigned ASAP agencies
throughout the state. Each office covers a group of cities and or
towns. Shrewsbury is covered through ELDER SERVICES Of WORCESTER
(ESW) (formally ELDER HOME CARE) in Worcester. They can be reached
at 508-756-1545.
To be eligible for the State Home Care system, you must have a
number of physical impairments, as well as a critical unmet need.
This would include being unable to prepare meals, do grocery shopping,
bathe or dress yourself, or get transportation to dialysis, radiation,
or chemotherapy. There is also a maximum income limit for the Home
Care Program. (There are other programs that ESW offers where this
does not apply). Fees are on a sliding fee scale, with a suggested
donation for clients on welfare. ESW works closely with the Visiting
Nurse Associations and other Home Health Agencies to coordinate
services. It is strongly recommended that you call ESW first if
you have a critical unmet need to see if you qualify, as your services
will be the most comprehensive if done through their agency.
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| Private Home Health Services |
| If you are found or know that you are ineligible for
ESW, you may purchase services privately through the same agencies
that ESW and the Visiting Nurse Associations use. ESW can usually
provide a list of their vendors upon request. Services can range from
homemaking to skilled nursing. The phone book lists various agencies
in the area overall to choose from. Fees are usually based on a sliding
fee scale and rates will vary depending on the level of care that
is being requested. |
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| Private Cleaning Business |
| If you are primarily just looking for cleaning, there
are many area businesses to choose from. There are listings in the
phone book of businesses you may wish to call. You can expect such
a business to probably charge $10/hr and up per hour per worker. A
company may also charge per job, versus days or hours involved. You
may also choose to look at the local newspaper, or smaller papers,
such as the Weekly Record, Senior Advocate, Community Advocate or
the Shrewsbury Chronicle, for companies that may cater especially
to the needs of seniors. |
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| An Independent Housecleaner or Health Care Worker |
| Lastly, you may choose to privately hire an individual
who can work on a scheduled or as needed basis. You can find out about
such individuals by checking the "jobs wanted" section of
the paper, particularly the Community Advocate or Senior Advocate.
You may want to place your own "Help Wanted" ad. Checking
bulletin boards in churches or stores throughout the community may
also give you some options. The COA also has a list available of women
in the community who have notified the COA that they are interested
in assisting seniors on a private pay basis. |
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| Other Information |
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Additional literature on ESW and the various local Home Health
Agencies is available at the Senior Center if you would like more
information on those options.
If you are caring for a loved one, or know someone who is, we have
a separate "Respite" packet available. The material is
the same, but the information above goes more into depth with caregiving
issues and services.
Be sure to check out all your options…if you or your spouse
is a Veteran, you may be eligible for additional services or payment
of services through the Veterans Association. If you suffer from
a particular illness, an organization (MA Association of the Blind,
MS Society, Easter Seals) may provide additional help. Our Outreach
Coordinator provides free home visits when needed to help sort what
options might be available that you may not have even considered,
such as Fuel Assistance, Food Stamps, Transportation, the RUOK program
and more.
Feel free to call the senior center with any additional assistance
you may need in finding the services that will best suit your needs.
Free Medical Screenings: Podiatry, Spinal, Hearing, Blood
Pressure
Free Legal and Financial Clinics
Volunteer Opportunities
Activities
Call the COA to find out about any of the activities listed below:
- Line Dancing
- Yoga
- Reiki
- Tai Chi
- Stress Reduction/Meditation
- Aerobics
- Softball
- Billiards
- Bridge, Whist and Pitch Card Games
- Senior Computer Classes
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For more
inquiries or information contact us at 508-841-8640.
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