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The gateway to Elder Services
By Sim Gaunt & Laura Feakes
When you call Elder Services, you are first greeted by a friendly receptionist, who will direct your call to the person who can best serve you. Many times, if you are looking for information or are asking for help (whether for yourself, a family member, friend or neighbor), you will be directed to an Elder Services Information & Referral (I&R) specialist, who has been trained to help with the issues you or someone you know may be dealing with. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, we are here to provide you with general or customized information or to refer you to appropriate programs and services. All discussions are confidential and there is no charge for I&R assistance.
I&R receives about 600 calls a month about the many programs Elder Services offers and the availability of other helpful community resources. Calls come from elders themselves, relatives and friends, as well as professionals in the community. I & R has access to an extensive network of professionals and a comprehensive database of area resources. The database includes phone numbers, addresses, program descriptions, and any applicable eligibility requirements and fees. It is updated regularly to ensure you have the most current information with which to make an informed decision. We are happy to mail out written materials as well that you can review at home at your leisure and share with others.
In addition to providing information, I&R also makes referrals to Elder Services’ programs, including Meals on Wheels, Home Care, Housing, Caregiver Support and Protective Services. For example, elders in need of help with personal care, cleaning, or laundry can be referred to our Home Care Programs. Elders in need of help with meals can be referred to Meals on Wheels.
Help is just a phone call away: call Elder Services at 499-0524 or toll free anywhere in Berkshire County at 1-800-544-5242. You can access our TTY (deaf/hard of hearing) at 499-9764. You may also contact us by e-mail: iandr@esbci.org.
The questions we receive span a wide, constantly changing range of topics. Below is a sample of some frequently asked questions:
Q: I have an elderly relative living in another state who needs help at home. Are there agencies like Elder Services in other states that I can call for help?
A: Yes. There are Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) everywhere in the United States. Elder Services has a complete listing to help guide you to the right one.
Q: What are those buttons that you wear around your neck to call for help?
A: Those “buttons” are called Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS). These communication systems alert a monitoring center that an emergency is occurring in an individual’s home. PERS can also be used for routine reassurance, as a “check-in” service, and for medication reminding. The individual wears the button on a wristband or a necklace and can push the button when help is needed. The monitoring center will respond to the call for help in a variety of different ways including calling the elder at home, calling a family member, friend or neighbor, or calling for emergency medical assistance. For a list of companies that provide PERS to Berkshire County residents, call Elder Services.
Q: I can barely afford the high cost of heating my home, never mind having my furnace serviced. Is there any help available?
A: Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) has a Heating System Program, which has limited funds available to perform routine cleaning of heating systems. To be eligible for this program, you must be eligible for the Fuel Assistance Program, not have had a cleaning done during the past heating season (past three seasons for natural gas or propane), and not have a service contract that includes a cleaning. Both tenants and homeowners are eligible. Requests are processed on a first come, first served basis.
For more information call BCAC: 445-4562 ext 108, or toll free from North Adams and Southern Berkshire: 1-866-216-6100 ext 108.
Sim Gaunt & Laura Feakes are Elder Services Information & Referral Specialists.