In-Home Supports

Elder Services of Berkshire County provides a variety of in-home services designed to enable elders and disabled adults to remain independent at home.

When an illness or disability strikes, or when your ability to perform the normal activities of daily living diminishes, there may be the need for a variety of Home Care Services that will allow you to remain at home or return home. We take referrals from elders, families, concerned community members, and agencies. We make every attempt to refer you to appropriate resources when Elder Services of Berkshire County is unable to provide services.

Eligibility Requirements For Home Care Services

To receive services through the state funded Home Care program, Berkshire County residents must be 60 years of age or older unless they have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or a related disorder.  Eligibility is also determined by a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s service needs.  One of our case managers will conduct the assessment in an elder’s home or setting from which they returning home from, such as the hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Home Care services may be available at no cost or cost shared on a sliding fee scale. Cost share for home care services is based on income and is determined according to cost sharing guidelines set forth by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Once enrolled in the Home Care program, an elder will work with a case manager and registered nurse, if appropriate, to develop a person centered care plan.  These services may include, but are not limited to:

Chore Service

Assistance with heavier household chores, such as window washing, carpet/oven cleaning, and refrigerator defrosting.

Companion

Socialization, helping with errands, correspondence, and light meal preparation.

Home Delivered Meals

A hot noon meal is delivered to the elder’s home.

Homemaking

Laundry, shopping, housework, and meal preparation.

Medication Management

May include a pharmacy pre-filled blister pack and pre-filled syringes, a medication dispensing machine or a registered nurse to fill a pill box.

Personal Care/Home Health Aide

Assistance with dressing, bathing, and personal hygiene and ambulation.

Personal Emergency Response

A personal electronic device that can summon emergency assistance 24 hours a day.

Social Day Care

A supervised daytime program in a group setting offering a hot meal, and therapeutic activities.

Transportation Services

Coordination and access to transportation including medical visits.

Respite Care

To temporarily relieve a Caregiver in emergencies, or in planned circumstances.

Integrated Care Programs

Senior Care Options (SCO)

Senior Care Options (SCO) is a comprehensive health plan. A SCO covers all of the services normally paid for through Medicare and MassHealth. This plan provides services to members through a senior care organization and its network of providers. SCO offers the opportunity to receive quality health care by combining health services with social support services. It does this by coordinating care and specialized geriatric support services, along with respite care for families and caregivers. A SCO offers an important advantage for eligible members over traditional fee-for-service care. There are no copays for members enrolled in a SCO. Geriatric Support Services Coordinators (GSSCs) employed by Elder Services of Berkshire County work with the only SCO plan currently available to the older adults in our area, Fallon Health’s Navicare.  Our GSSCs are members of a Primary Care Team who complete assessments and coordination of in home services.

SCO eligibility requirements:

65 Years of age or older

MassHealth Standard

Fallon Health manages Navicare enrollment. For more information call (877) 790-4971 (TRS 711) or visit their website at fallonhealth.org/navicare.

One Care

One Care is a comprehensive health insurance plan that covers all MassHealth and Medicare benefits along with a wide range of in-home and community support services for disabled adults. Long Term Support Services Coordinators (LTSC) employed by Elder Services of Berkshire County work with Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA), Berkshire County’s only One Care plan. Our LTSCs are members of the person-centered care team who provide service coordination for CCA members in need of in home supports and additionally assist with community resources and referrals.

One Care Eligibility Requirements:

Medicare and MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth

Age 21-64

For more information or to enroll, please contact Commonwealth Care Alliance at (866) 610-2273 (TTY 711) or visit commonwealthcarealliance.org