Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Supports Elder Affairs and Healthcare

We recently completed the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget. Because revenues are only expected to grow by an anemic three percent in the coming year, we were forced to hold a tight fiscal line while drafting this year’s budget. The $26.8 billion proposal builds upon both the House and the Governor’s recommendations while including some Senate-authored initiatives as well. This is a sound budget and I am particularly proud that this budget strongly supports the services and programs provided to the Commonwealth’s older citizens. It is also my great pleasure to announce that I have secured in this budget an additional $350,000 for the Milton Hospital Geriatrics Program. The funding is for a collaboration between Milton Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for a Geriatrics Program to increase and coordinate the services delivered to seniors in every care setting along the continuum of care. Additionally, over  $1 million in new spending is committed to the elder protective services program. With this funding, the Department of Elder Affairs will be able to promote safety and health as well as investigate instances of elder abuse.

I am pleased to announce that this budget also includes:

• $6.2 million increase for home care, allowing an additional 260 nursing home-eligible elders to stay in their homes;
• $5 million to increase the personal needs allowance for seniors living on fixed incomes who reside in long-term care facilities;
• $1 million to implement a new wellness program in the Commonwealth;
• $42.1 million to restore benefits to over 500,000 adult MassHealth members, including dental coverage, dentures and eyeglasses;
• The successful passage of an initiative to create an open enrollment period for the Prescription Advantage program.

Open Enrollment for Prescription Advantage:
Just What the Doctor Ordered

I am pleased to announce that the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget includes an amendment providing an open enrollment period for the Commonwealth’s Prescription Advantage program. This amendment will provide elders with the chance to take part in this low-cost pharmaceutical program. Too many residents continue to face the impossible choice of whether to put food on their table or pay for costly prescriptions. The Prescription Advantage program has been a lifeline for seniors and low-income people with disabilities who have come to count on the program to subsidize the costs of their prescriptions. For those who may be unfamiliar with the program, Prescription Advantage, administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, is a prescription drug insurance plan that is available to Massachusetts residents age 65 and older, as well as to younger individuals with disabilities who meet income and employment guidelines. For further information on eligibility you can call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) or SHINE – Serving Health Information Needs of Elders: 1-800-243-4636, press 2 (TTY: 1-800-872-0166).

2007 AARP Life@50+ NATIONAL EVENT & EXPO TO BE HELD IN BOSTON

AARP’s National Event & Expo is headed for Boston in 2007! Don’t miss this revolutionary experience at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center from September 6 – 8, 2007. This 3 day event will feature seminars with celebrity speakers such as Michael and Kirk Douglas, basketball legend Bill Russell, red carpet fashionistas Joan and Melissa Rivers, and cosmetics guru Bobbi Brown, cooking demonstrations with celebrity chef Ming Tsai, exercise classes with celebrity trainers, hundreds of exhibitors featuring interactive technology, travel and leisure presentations, giveaways, and more. This event also offers informational seminars on some of today’s most important issues facing the 50+ demographic, such as affordable health care, prescription safety and planning for retirement. I encourage anyone interested to take advantage of this exciting event being held right in our own backyard! For more information, or to register or to purchase tickets for the Friday and Saturday night concerts, visit the AARP Life@50+ Boston 2008 website or call (972) 349-7613 or (800) 883-2784.

Massachusetts Money Management Program

I know that managing personal finances can be one of the most difficult tasks for anyone, regardless of age, and that many of my constituents face tough decisions daily about the most appropriate way to budget to meet their unique needs. In an effort to assist seniors who may be struggling with finances, I want to inform you of a valuable resource in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Money Management Program is a free service sponsored in part by AARP that assists low-income elders who might be at risk of losing their independence due to their inability to pay basic rent, food and utility bills on time. Oftentimes, these elders are homebound, disabled, visually impaired, and without family nearby to help them. Trained and supervised volunteers assist their clients by writing checks, balancing their checkbooks and ensuring that bills are paid on time. For more general information visit the AARP Money Management Program website or call (978) 624-2254. Locally, this program is offered by HESSCO Elder Services, 1 Merchant Street Suite 106, Sharon, MA, (781) 784-4944.

Beating the Heat

Summer weather draws people outdoors to enjoy the sunshine, outdoor activities, and occasions that bring family and friends together. Along with these summertime benefits come the mixed blessings of heat. Summer heat waves can be a concern for all of us, but it is especially important for seniors to take precautions to stay healthy in the hot weather. Although the summer heat can be daunting, there are several simple measures you can take to stay safe this summer: 

1). Stay Hydrated. Continually drink water and avoid drinking caffeinated beverages which can actually dehydrate you further. Try drinking an eight ounce glass of water before you leave the house and have a six ounce glass every 15 to 20 minutes.

2). Slow Down. Summer should be enjoyed, so what’s the rush? Heatstroke, a dangerous condition common to seniors during the summer months, is often caused by excessive outdoor activity on hot, humid days.

3). Plan Your Summer Wardrobe Accordingly. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothes. U/V skin protection along with a wide-brim hat or an umbrella will also protect against overexposure to the sun.

4). Know When to Seek Help. Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion are less pronounced in seniors due to aging, certain medications, and chronic conditions. Signs of heat exhaustion include fatigue, weakness, nausea, heavy sweating or no sweating, rapid pulse, confusion, or fainting.

Re-Energize Your Love of Learning

I recently came across information about an exciting program being offered for adults 50 years and older to continue their lifetime of learning. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), in conjunction with UMass Boston, offers over 70 courses annually in a wide range of fields including computers, politics, current events, science, health and wellness, foreign affairs, music, and literature among many others. For a small annual membership fee of $175, students can take up to three classes per semester without the stress of grades and degrees. The only requirement is a strong desire to learn! Now in its ninth year, OLLI has a talented faculty consisting of current UMass professors who volunteer their time to teach these classes in order to keep costs low. For those concerned with the commute to the Boston campus, OLLI operates a satellite campus at Cordage Park in Plymouth which offers access to all of the Umass Boston classes via video conferencing as well as visiting teachers conducting live classes. The successful OLLI program currently enrolls mostly members in their 60s but also serves many in their mid-70s, some in their 80s, and even a few in their 90s! For details or to get involved visit www.olli.umb.edu or call the main office at (617) 287-7312.

Questions or Concerns?

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.