We are happy to share our valued connections within the community.
At Surprenant & Beneski, PC, our law firm is dedicated to working as a team to benefit every one of our clients who come to us. Our entire legal team is deeply involved in the resources available in our community. We view our legal practice as an integral part of our community. When we help clients create comprehensive estate plans, we help the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts grow stronger.
Our lawyers provide a variety of estate planning services for our clients. We help clients create will-based and trust-based estate plans. We also help clients with issues related to elder law, including long-term care planning. Sometimes, clients and potential clients are in need of community-based services that can provide them with services and support. We’ve created a list of community-based resources for our clients. Over the years, we’ve recommended the following community resources for our clients who need additional help.
Coastline Elderly Services
Web: www.coastlineelderly.org
Location: 1646 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Main #: 508-999-6400
Toll-Free #: 1-866-274-1643
TDD #: 508-994-4265
Fax #: 508-993-6510
Coastline Elderly Services is a private, non-profit corporation that connects people in need with the services and support that they need. Specifically, Coastline helps at-risk individuals receive the home care services that they need. They also help at-risk adults maintain their independent living. This agency services adults of all ages as well as children with disabilities.
Coastline helps prevent or postpone the need for institutional care in at-risk individuals. The agency also advocates for people with disabilities and older people. This agency will help any individual who meets the eligibility criteria. They help connect people with the support and services they need to live independently in the Southeastern Massachusetts community.
Bristol Elderly Services
Web: www.bristolelder.org
Location: 1 Father DeValles Blvd., Unit 8, Fall River, MA 02723
Main #: 508-675-2101
TTY #: 508-646-9704
Fax #: 508-679-0320
Bristol Elderly Services supports elderly and disabled individuals in the Greater Attleboro area, Greater Fall River and Taunton area. They work with individuals and help them access support services and comprehensive services. Bristol Elderly Services focuses on helping individuals access the care that they need. Their Home Care Program provides people with a broad category of services that support wellbeing and independence. They help clients access personal care, housework, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, and home health services.
Once this agency accepts a client who meets the eligibility requirements, they will assign a case manager who will conduct a home visit. The case manager will help the client determine which services and programs can be beneficial. Bristol Elderly Services also offers a Senior Care Options service, which is reimbursable under MassHealth and Medicare.
Old Colony Elder Services
Web: www.ocesma.org/
Location: 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301
Main #: 508-584-1561
TTY #: 508-587-0280
Fax #: 508-897-0031
Old Colony Elder Services aims to support the dignity and independence of older adults in Massachusetts. They provide essential services and information to elderly adults as well as adults with disabilities. This agency provides Aging Services Access Points in the following areas: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater, and Whitman. They also provide extended service areas in additional cities throughout Massachusetts.
Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands
Web: www.escci.or
Location: Main Office: 68 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660
Main #: 1-800-244-4630 or 508-394-4630
TTY #: 508-394-8691
Fax #: 508-394-3712
2nd Location: Upper Cape
884 County Rd. P.O. Box 3207, Pocasset, MA 02559
Main #: 508-563-5966
They also have an Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-922-2275
The Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands is a private non-profit organization dedicated to serving older adults. The organization serves residents of the twenty-two towns in Dukes, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties. This non-profit has served residents of Cape Cod since 1972. The Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands helps elderly residents who are in need of a nursing home to access nursing home care. They also provide advocacy for elderly residents who need help in other areas of their lives.
Department of Veterans Services
Web: General Government VA site is www.VA.gov Main #: 1-800-827-1000
Web: Massachusetts VA site is www.mass.gov/veterans
Location: 600 Washington Street, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
General e-mail: MDVS@vet.state.ma.us
Main #: 617-210-5480
Fax #: 617-210-5755
The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) provides a number of benefits and services for veterans and their family members. Veterans of the armed forces might qualify for health care insurance through the DVA. These benefits can include health insurance for long-term nursing home care. The DVA also provides pensions for wartime veterans and survivors who have no income or limited income and meet certain disability and age requirements. Veterans can also apply for disability compensation for medical conditions they developed while in the service.
MassHealth
Website: www.mass.gov
Medicaid is a federal and state healthcare program called MassHealth in Massachusetts. People who qualify for MassHealth benefits can receive vital long-term healthcare services to people of all ages. Elders are particularly at risk when it comes to needing health insurance, especially elders who need long-term health care.
Many elderly adults are understandably concerned about how they will pay for nursing home care. Elderly couples in Massachusetts might be concerned about running out of funds and not being able to leave anything for their children or loved ones. The eligibility rules for Medicaid are extremely complicated. While people can apply for MassHealth benefits online, speaking to an experienced estate planning lawyer can help you in the application process tremendously.