Advocacy
Advocates act on behalf of seniors on a particular issue. For example senior advocates could engage in action which could include writing letters, contacting political representatives, organizing community meeting and distributing educational materials on a particular issue on the seniors behalf
AARP Massachusetts
1 Beacon Street, Suite 2301
Boston, MA 02108
(866) 448-3621
https://states.aarp.org/massachusetts/
Disability Law Center – Boston
11 Beacon Street, Suite 925
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 723-8455
https://www.dlc-ma.org/
MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs
1 Ashburton Place, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-7750
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-elder-affairs
MA Association of Older Americans
19 Temple Place, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 426-0804
http://maoamass.org
MA Senior Action Council
150 Mount Vernon Street
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 284-1234
http://www.masssenioraction.org/
MA Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program
(800) 892-0890
https://www.masmp.org/
Caregiver Resources
Family Caregiver Support Program
www.mass.gov/family-caregiver-support-program
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
www.mass.gov/info-details/grandparents-raising-grandchildren
Alzheimer’s Association
www.alz.org/
24/7 Helpline: (800) 272-3900
Consumer Affairs
Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation (OCABR)
501 Boylston Street, Suite 5100
Boston, MA 02116
Consumer Hotline: (617) 973-8787
Toll-free Consumer Hotline: (888) 283-3757
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-consumer-affairs-and-business-regulation
Office of the Attorney General
1 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-2200
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-attorney-general-maura-healey
MA Attorney General’s Elder Hotline
(888) 243-5337
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/the-attorney-generals-elder-hotline
Senior volunteers with the Elder Hotline can help you find answers to questions regarding:
- Abuse and exploitation of elders
- Debt and collection practices
- Health insurance
- Home improvement
- Landlord, tenant and housing issues
- Long-term care
- Identity theft and scams
- Retail disputes
- Telemarketing
National Do Not Call Registry
(888) 382-1222
https://www.donotcall.gov/
Massachusetts Do Not Call List
(866) 231-2255
https://www.mass.gov/learn-about-the-national-do-not-call-registry
Better Business Bureau of Eastern MA
290 Donald Lynch Blvd., Suite 102
Marlborough, MA 01752
(508) 652-4800
https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/better-business-bureau-serving-eastern-ma-me-ri-and-vt
Dental Hygiene Programs
Middlesex Community College Health, Science, and Technology Center
Talbot Bldg., 44 Middle St., Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 656-3250
www.middlesex.mass.edu/dhclinic
Provides preventive dental hygiene services.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 432-1434
www.harvarddentalcenter.harvard.edu
Massachusetts Dental Society
(800) 342-8747
massdental.org/for-the-public
Information on access to care and dental insurance.
Tufts School of Dental Medicine
One Kneeland St., Boston, MA 02111
(617) 636-6828
dental.tufts.edu
Disability Resources
MA Commission for the Blind
600 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111
Voice: (617) 727-5550; TDD: (800) 392-6556
mass.gov/mcb
Provides rehabilitation and support services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
MA Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
600 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111
Voice: (617) 740-1600; TTY: (617) 740-1700 Video Phone: (617) 326-7546
mass.gov/mcdhh
Provides case management, interpreter services, technical assistance, training and information on other services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
MA Equipment Distribution Program
V/TTY (800) 300-5658
mass.gov/massed
Offers free or low-cost specialized telephones for those with a permanent disability, such as hearing, vision, speech, ormotion. Call for information.
MA Office on Disability
Ashburton Pl.,#1305, Boston, MA 02108
Voice/TTY: (617) 727-7440
mass.gov/mod
Provides information and advocacy for people with disabilities.
MA Rehabilitation Commission
600 Washington St. Boston, MA 02111
Voice/TDD: (800) 245-6543 (617) 204-3600
MRC Ombudsperson: (617) 204-3603
mass.gov/mrc
Vocational rehabilitation services, independent living, home modifications, home care assistance.
Mass Relay/7-1-1TTY/ASCII
(800) 720-3480; Voice/Hearing (800) 720-3479
mass.gov/eopss/agencies/massrelay
Dial 711 for nationwide access to the relay service operator who facilitates communication between people using phones and TTY. See website for other relay numbers and information.
Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse reports can be filed 24 hours a day either online (see instructions below) or by phone at (800) 922-2275. Elder abuse includes: physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, caretaker neglect, financial exploitation and self-neglect. Elder Protective Services can only investigate cases of abuse where the person is age 60 and over and lives in the community. To report abuse of a person with a disability under the age of 60, call the Disabled Persons Protection Commission at (800) 426-9009. To report abuse of a person by nursing home or hospital, call the Department of Public Health at (800) 462-5540. Call 911 or local police if you have an emergency or life-threatening situation.
www.mass.gov/reporting-elder-abuse-neglect
Abuse of People with Disabilities
MA Disabled Persons Protection Commission
24-Hour Hotline: (800) 426-9009
TTY: (888) 0350-0350; (617) 727-6465
mass.gov/dppc
To report suspected abuse of adults (ages 18-59) with disabilities
Energy Resources
Citizens Energy Heat Assistance (Joe4Oil)
(617) 338-6300
http://citizensenergy.com/assistance-programs
Good Neighbor Energy Fund (Salvation Army)
(800) 334-3047
http://magoodneighbor.org/
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(800) 632-8175
http://www.liheap.us/massachusetts-heap/
SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council)
300 Howard Street
Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 620-1230
http://smoc.org/
Mass Save
(800) 632-8300
www.massave.com
Discount Rates on Utilities
National Grid Low Income Electric Services
https://www9.nationalgridus.com/non_html/On_Demand_Electric_Initial%20v052209.pdf
National Grid Low Income Gas Services
https://www.nationalgridus.com/media/pdfs/billing-payments/cm4445_ma_gas_discountrateapp.pdf
Eversource Discount Rate Application
https://www.eversource.com/nstar/CustomerCare/Residential/DiscountRate
Joe-4-Oil Citizens Energy Discount Program
http://citizensenergy.com/assistance-programs
Food Resources
Open Table Pantry
http://www.opentable.org/
Email: info@opentable.org
Phone: 978-369-2275 (voicemail)
Our pantry is operating as an open-air drive-thru service. Volunteers bring pre-packed bags of groceries to cars, respecting social distancing guidelines.
Our hours at our main facility (33 Main St) are:
Tuesdays 1:00 – 3:00pm (Seniors 65+)
Tuesdays 3:00 – 6:30pm
Thursdays 1:00 – 4:30pm
We also have monthly and bi-weekly mobile pantries in partnership with agencies in several towns.
New clients are welcome! (See service area). Select what items you would like ahead of time with our online ordering system. Order before your appointment time to have your groceries packed and ready for you on arrival. Order online.Pantry distribution will be available in the Maynard Municipal Parking Lot located between Summer Street and Main Street. Please enter from Summer Street (across from the Fine Arts Theater). Guests will remain in their cars; volunteers will take your order and load grocery bags into the trunk of your vehicle.
Maynard Food Pantry
82 Main Street
Maynard, MA
Mondays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
978-764-5279
http://www.maynardfoodpantry.com/
Mt. Calvary Community Supper
Mt. Calvary Community Supper is served every Wednesday from 4:45 to 5:45 PM at 472 Massachusetts Avenue in Acton. Doors will open at 4:15 PM.
Mt. Calvary Church
472 Mass Ave., Acton
978-263-5156
www.mtcalvaryacton.org/communitysupper.org
Guest Table Supper
1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Doors open 5:00 p.m.
First Parish Church
353 Great Road, Stow
978-897-8149
Nutrition Programs for Seniors
https://www.mass.gov/nutrition-program-for-seniors
SNAP Food Assistance
https://www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-formerly-food-stamps
Project Bread
145 Border Street
East Boston, MA 02118
617-723-5000
Food Source Hotline: 800-645-8333
http://www.projectbread.org/
Meals on Wheels
Minuteman Senior Services
26 Crosby Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
781-272-7177
888-222-6171 (toll free)
MassRelay: 711 or 1-800-439-2370 (TTY/ASCII)
www.minutemansenior.org
General Resources
800 Age Info
For Massachusetts Elder and their families
(800) 243-4636
http://www.800ageinfo.com/site/
Aging Information Center
Minuteman Senior Services
(888) 222-6171, (781) 272-7177
www.minutemansenior.org
Eldercare Locator
(800) 677-1116
www.eldercare.gov
Mass Options
(844) 422-6277
www.massoptions.org
Mass 2-1-1 Information Line
(844) 422-6277
www.mass211.org
DisabilityInfo.org
https://disabilityinfo.org/
INDEX helps people with disabilities find the information they need. We collect and keep up-to-date information on programs, providers and services in Massachusetts that have something to offer to people with disabilities. INDEX is a project of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Home Resources
Mass Save
www.masssave.com/
Home Modification Loan Program
www.mass.gov/home-modification-loan-program-hmlp
If you or a household member is disabled or an elder, the Home Modification Loan Program can provide a loan so you can make needed adaptations or modifications to your home. Modifications can help you remain in your home and live more independently.
Housing & Facilities
Maynard Housing Authority
Assisted Living
www.mass.gov/topics/assisted-living
Mass Assisted Living Facilities Association (ALFA)
135 Beaver Street, Suite 202
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 622-5999
www.massalfa.org
Senior Housing Resources
www.mass.gov/senior-housing-resources
Housing Resources
www.mass.gov/housing-services
Mass Access
www.massaccesshousingregistry.org
Section 8 Housing
(877) 868-0040
www.section8listmass.org
HUD
Boston Office: (617) 994-8200
www.hud.gov/apps/section8
Facilities
Nursing Homes
www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html
Hospitals
www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html
Legal Services
Mass Senior Legal Helpline
(800) 342-5297
www.mass.gov/legal-help-for-elders
MA Attorney General’s Elder Hotline
(888) 243-5337
www.mass.gov/service-details/the-attorney-generals-elder-hotline
Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
massnaela.com/
Medicare & Medicaid Information
Glossary of Medicare terms
https://www.medicare.gov/glossary/
Social Security
(800) 772-1213
www.ssa.gov
www.socialsecurity.gov
Includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
Medicare
(800) 633-4227 TTY: (877) 486-2048
www.medicare.gov/
MassHealth/Medicaid
Mass Office of Health & Human Services
(888) 665-9993
(800) 841-2900
TTY: (888) 665-9997
www.mass.gov/masshealth
MA Health Connector
(877) 623-6765 TTY: (877) 623-7773
www.mahealthconnector.org
Medicare Rights Center
www.medicareinteractive.org
Learn everything you need to know about Medicare
Health Care for All
(617) 350-7279
www.hcfama.org
Medicare Advocacy Project
(617) 603-1578 or (617) 603-1600 (under 60)
Senior Helpline (800) 342-5297 (60+)
www.gbls.org
Assistance with denials, late enrollment penalties and more
Prescription Advantage
(800) 243-4636 press #2
www.prescriptionadvantagema.gov
Massachusetts program to assist with Part D prescription drug coverage
MCPHS Pharmacy Outreach (Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Services)
(866) 633-1617
www.mcphs.edu/pharmacyoutreach
Mental Health Resources
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness
https://nami.org/Home
(800) 950-NAMI (6265)
The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
https://www.samhsa.gov/
Treatment Locators Find treatment facilities and programs in the United States or U.S. Territories for mental and substance use disorders.
Good Samaritans
https://samaritanshope.org/
Samaritans provides lifesaving suicide prevention services throughout Greater Boston, MetroWest, and across Massachusetts. Our services are free, confidential, and nonjudgmental.
Good Samaritans Suicide Helpline
(877) 870-4673
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-8255
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Transportation
Maynard Council on Aging Van
www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/gov/departments/council-on-aging/van/
The Council on Aging van runs from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and provides low cost transportation to local hospitals, health care providers (doctors, dentists), pharmacies as well as banks, the post office and to the Senior Center on 50 Brown Street in Maynard. We also provide transportation to Stop & Shop and Shaw’s in Stow To schedule the van call CrossTown Connect dispatch office at 978-844-6809.
I’m Looking for Transportation
www.mass.gov/im-looking-for-transportation
Transportation services are available across Massachusetts for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, commuters, and others.
THE RIDE
Eligibility Center
(617) 337-2727, (617) 222-5123
TTY: (617) 222-5415
mbta.com/accessibility/the-ride
Wheelchair accessible rides and those with disabilities who qualify.
Senior Charlie Card
www.mbta.com/fares/reduced/senior-charliecard
People 65 and older are eligible for reduced MBTA fares with a Senior CharlieCard. These cards are valid for 8 years.
Maynard Commuter Shuttle
www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/shuttle/
The shuttle runs between downtown Maynard and the South Acton Commuter Rail station.