[Link]COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SOCIAL SECURITY REPRESENTATIVE
LOCAL: A representative from the Springfield Social Security Office will be at the Palmer Town Administration Building, 4417 Main Street, Thorndike, the first three Wednesdays of each month, from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm. Walk-ins only. No telephone.
SPRINGFIELD: Social Security Administration Office, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103. 413-785-0415.
ALZHEIMERS/DEMINTIA AND RELATED DISORDERS
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
11 Campus Lane, Easthampton 01027
Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 1:30 pm
This is the Western Mass chapter of the National Alzheimer’s Association. The office acts as an information and referral agency for support groups, reading materials, diagnostic services and advocacy efforts. This agency can also be contacted for information on the NATIONAL SAFE RETURN PROGRAM, which identifies, and helps safely return people with Alzheimers disease and related disorders who wander away from home.
ALZHEIMER’S PROGRAM VNA OF PIONEER VALLEY
(Baystate Visiting Nurse & Hospice)
50 Maple Street, Springfield, MA 01102
413-781-5070
The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Program provides the following services at no cost:
Nurse Educator/Patient Advocates – In home visits to provide education, assessment, advocacy, and support on issues relating to Alzheimer’s Disease or a demanding illness.
Support – Support groups meet monthly at four different locations.
Information and Referral – Offered for family caregivers, professionals and the general community.
Respite – Provided for family caregivers by trained and supervised volunteers.
Education – Provided via presentations, seminars, in-services and lecture series.
MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER OF THE ALZHEIMER’S ALLOCIATION
36 Cameron Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
NURSING HOMES with Memory Care Units in Hamden County
Atrium Nursing Home Agawam 413-821-9911
Birch Manor Chicopee 413-592-7738
Holyoke Geriatric Authority Holyoke 413-536-8110
Jewish Nursing Home Longmeadow 413-567-6211
Mount St. Vincent Holyoke 413-532-3246
Palmer House Palmer 413-283-8361
Redstone Rehabilitation and Nursing Center E. Longmeadow 413-525-3336
Reed’s Landing Memory Impaired Unit Springfield 413-782-1800
Ruth’s House / Assisted Living Longmeadow 413-567-6212
Wingate of Hampden Hampden 413-566-5511
Wingate of Springfield Springfield 413-796-1300
RESPITE CARE
A short period of rest or relief to allow family members time away from caregiving responsibilities. Service is provided through the Monson Council on Aging, Greater Springfield Seniors Services, Inc., Local Nursing and Rest Homes and Day Care Centers. Contact Outreach Coordinator Deb Shepard, 267-4121, for more information.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE
Valley Opportunity Council
300 High Street, Holyoke, Ma 01040
413-522-1548
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5 pm
Valley Opportunity Council provides services to a wide variety of economically disadvantaged people. The Council administers the fuel assistance program for Hampden County. For assistance in completing applications, contact Elizabeth Faichney, 267-4121, at the Monson Council on Aging.
Citizens Energy Oil (Joe4Oil)
88 Black Falcon Avenue, Center Lobby, Suite # 342, Boston, MA 02210
The Citizens Energy Oil Heat fuel assistance program offers half-price heating oil to low income families and elderly residents of Massachusetts. Each eligible household is allowed a one time delivery of up to 175 gallons of home heating oil at half price per heating season. Economic Guidelines.
Good Neighbor Energy Fund
Salvation Army, 170 Pearl Street, Springfield, MA 01105-1223
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund helps people in need pay for their winter heating energy bills. The Fund is for people who are facing a short-term financial crisis and do not qualify for government fuel assistance programs.
Utility Shutoff Protection
Massachusetts laws prevent utility companies from shutting off service to households in special situations. These include senior households, low-income families with infants, and people with serious illnesses who cannot afford to pay their utility bills. During the winter months, utility companies cannot shut off heat related utilities for households with financial hardships.
NUTRITION SERVICES
Open Pantry – Local food share program. Food is available on both an emergency and monthly basis. For further information, and to complete an application, call Open Pantry Coordinator Jeannette Lambert, 267-4837, Monson COA Health & Human Services Coordinator or Monson COA Outreach Coordinator, 267-4121.
Food Stamps – Applications available through Valley Opportunity Services, 300 High Street, Holyoke, MA 01040-6573, 413-552-1548, or by contacting Monson COA Health & Human Services Coordinator, 267-4121.
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