Helpful Resources for Elders

Your community is here for you! There is no shortage of resources available to elders on various subjects. While there are sources available, we understand how it might be overwhelming to find the answer to your pursuits. With that in mind, Volunteering for Seniors has compiled a list of potential sources that we believe might be of use to some of you. Feel free to browse and see if anything catches your eye. You can also find a more in-depth look at some of these resources on our website.

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1. Findhelp.org
This site has so much information for a variety of needs, which is organized flawlessly for easy

navigation. Simply put in your zip code and the site will provide you with information on

whatever it is that you need. From health topics, financing services, and shopping for clothes, this site has so much to offer. PLEASE NOTE: We have a video navigating this site on our website under the “Resources” tab. Do check it out here

2. Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging
There is so much information to be seen on this website. One could not accurately explore all of

the resources available through this blog post alone. It is a fantastic place to see what might be available to elders, and since it is located in Massachusetts it is a fantastic source to start off the list. With that in mind, we will explore some of their listed resources.

Aging-Support Organizations and Agencies

• ●  Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts – This organization seeks to guide elders, young people with diverse abilities, and their families in making sure they find services that they personally choose and feel would best serve them. Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts seek to empower these groups.
• ●  Tri Valley Inc – The services offered by this organization are vast! There are information and referral services, home care services, and exploration of senior care options that allow elders to live independently. These are just some of the services offered by Tri Valley Inc, so consider looking at their website further!
• ●  The SHINE Program – This organization has to do with health insurance counseling. Specifically, the counseling offered is unbiased and is for those with Medicare, or those approaching Medicare eligibility. There are newsletters that you can check out on their website.

Caregiving

• ●  ESWA Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support – This is a private, not-for-profit agency that serves fifteen communities in the Greater Worcester area. The general goal of this organization is to support and provide resources for elders who are raising family members. Donations received by this organization go towards assistance in giving caregivers respite, Meals of Wheels, outreach for LGBTQIA elders, and more!
• ●  Elder Care Locator – This source assists elders and their families in finding care that is the best fit for them. It is actually a public service of the US Administration on Aging. Support in your area is located on a national level.
  COVID-19

● FCC Emergency Broadcast Benefit – This program seeks to assist households/families struggling to afford internet during the pandemic. Through this organization, you can be linked to jobs, classrooms, health services, and more! To meet eligibility criteria, you must have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or you must participate in certain assistance programs. These programs include, SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline.

Elder Abuse/Senior Fraud

● Central MA Elder Abuse Roundtable – There is so much information on this source alone! Generally speaking, this organization is in the Worcester area, and it consists of

various coalitions that seek to collaborate by further building community coalitions. These coalitions help identify and treat elder abuse. They also strive for early intervention. Education and training on the topic of elder abuse is available through this organization as well.

3. GeriPal

Geripal is a source that offers virtual assistance to elders during the pandemic. They understand the struggles that elders and many others are experiencing during this time. With that in mind, Geripal is an immensely helpful resource with information on topics like overcoming technology barriers, adult education opportunities, finding religious communities, and fitness information, among other topics. Looking at the specifics, some key organizations from the aforementioned sections are listed below, but we encourage you to look more in-depth on GeriPal’s website!

Overcoming Technology Barriers

• ●  AARP Tek Academy – This source offers free seminars and learning events for members. Looking at AARP’s website, there are seminars on Medicare and Social Security, Work and Job Webinars, and Fraud Webinars for example.
• ●  Goodwill Industries – Goodwill Industries offers various types of free online courses on overcoming technology barriers. Topics range from understanding email to understanding Microsoft Office Suite

● Area Agencies on Aging – This agency offers information on various local volunteer organizations, as well as resources that aim at assisting elders in growing more comfortable with using technology.

Adult Education & Learning Opportunities

• ●  Libraries – Geripal wanted to emphasize how libraries offer not only printed media, but also various in-person and virtual events like art courses, book clubs, and adult education, among various other events. It is important to note that what is offered varies by location.
• ●  Masterclass – This source allows for the completion of small, 10 minute classes on various subjects. It is taught by professionals and celebrities, and there are over 85 classes. Classes include arts and crafts, business, design/style, and so much more! We are sure you will find something that fits what you’re looking for.
  Religious Communities
• ●  The Online Faith Collective – This site houses various information on online services that are available for religious elders. There are different faith groups spanning over different Christain denominations. Nondenominational groups and Jewish services are available as well.
• ●  Virtual Mosque – This website is another great source found by Geripal! It houses articles and sermons for those who practice the Islamic faith. Media is offered in various languages as well.

Fitness

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Silver Sneakers – This is a website with various exercise classes offered to elders. There are classes tailored to various experience levels. Supervised classes occur via Zoom and Facebook Live too. Some virtual classes include Bodyweight Bootcamp, Cardio Mix, Zumba Gold, Yoga, and more! On-demand videos are available as well. It is important to note that the membership is covered by many Medicare Advantage plans, but not all.

The YMCA – This organization has so many opportunities for elders! There are online classes available for various activities like tai chi, yoga, and Qigong for example. The Y also has a YouTube channel.

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4. Massachusetts Gerontology Association: State Aging Resources

This particular site has a vast array of information to consume. Clicking the link associated with this website will take you to the State Aging Resource page. VFS Inc also encourages you to click on other areas of MGAs website. For example, they have sections like Events Going on in Massachusetts, the Age Friendly University Initiative, and Announcements. We will highlight some of the agencies discussed in the State Aging Resources section:

● American Association of Retired Persons – The AARP has a local branch that advocates for elder employment security and retirement planning among other important topics.

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• ●  LGBT Aging Project – This is a non-profit organization whose goals include making sure that LGBTQIA+ identifying elders have equal access to services like life-prolonging benefits and protections. Looking at the LGBT Aging Project website, it was founded in 2001, when advocates from the aging service network and the LGBT+ community saw that elder LGBTQIA+ affirming people needed to be acknowledged in both communities. This organization takes actions like teaching cultural competence to elder service providers, providing opportunities for LGBTQIA+ elder community involvement, and policy/program advocacy.
• ●  Multicultural Coalition on Aging – This is a network of agencies that seek to make sure culturally appropriate care is delivered to the elderly population. This includes care and research programs for older adults. Looking at their website, the MCA is composed of consumer, health, governmental, and social service agencies. This coalition does offer workshops called, Aging Well Together Consumer Conferences. This is for older adults so they can learn about social service or health changes. These workshops are delivered to listeners in various languages to ensure elders from different cultures can learn as well!
  Thank you for reading our blog! Again, we encourage you to explore these sites more in-depth. For some of the sources, like the LGBT Aging Project, we gathered some information from the direct sources and combined that information with the overview offered on the sites that brought these organizations to our attention.

Do you know any other helpful resources that elders might like? Tell us in the comments!

Sources Used

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://seniorconnection.org/&sa=D&source=editors&ust=16280 07716620000&usg=AOvVaw38fNddEyjoyHa8pU3qGK7j https://eswa.org/grandparents-raising-grandchildren/ https://www.trivalleyinc.org/caregiver-support/

https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit

Geripal

https://www.geripal.org/2020/09/Virtual-Resources-for-Older-Adults-COVID19.html https://www.masterclass.com/
https://tools.silversneakers.com/ https://www.ymca.org/what-we-do/healthy-living/at-home/staying-active

MASSG

https://www.massgeron.org/state_resources.html https://learn.aarp.org/?cmp=RDRCT-TEK-ACADEMY-AUG_015 https://fenwayhealth.org/the-fenway-institute/lgbt-aging-project/ http://mca.atwebpages.com/

Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging