Walter Rice is the Outreach Coordinator for the Shrewsbury Senior Center. What can the Outreach Coordinator do for you?

Walter is able to provide information and guidance in the following areas:

• Fuel Assistance Application
• Share the Warmth Application
• Real Estate Abatement
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Health Care Proxy
• Elder Abuse
• Financial Counseling
• Insurance Issues (Medicare, Medicaid, Private)
• Meals on Wheels
• Transportation Needs
• Information and Referrals to Community Agencies
• Nursing Home Placement, Assisted Living, Independent Living Options
• Homemaker Services
• Bereavement Counseling

Walter Rice is able to meet with a senior resident, their family, or caretakers at the Shrewsbury Senior Center by appointment. He is also happy to do a home visit by appointment if you are unable to come to the Center. Walter Rice is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. He can be reached at 508-841-8647 or via email at wrice@th.ci.shrewsbury.ma.us. If he is not immediately available, leave a voice message and he will return your call.

The Fuel Assistance Program helps income-eligible households pay a portion of their winter heating bills.

If your gross household income falls within the limits shown in this chart, you may qualify for fuel assistance and discounts on utility and telephone bills.

FY2005

Household Size		Maximum Gross Annual Income
1		$18,620
2		$24,980
3		$31,340
4		$37,700
5		$44,060
6		$50,420

Why do I need a power of attorney in Massachusetts since my spouse and I own all our assets jointly?

A power of attorney is a written instrument by which one person (the principal) designates someone as his or her agent or attorney in fact to perform certain acts. If it is "durable," it continues in effect if the principal becomes incompetent.

This can be very important if you or your spouse becomes incompetent. It can avoid the appointment of a guardian or conservator for the management of assets. Even if property is jointly owned, signatures of both parties are often required, such as the transfer of real estate. A power of attorney would allow you to sign for your spouse. Also, it allows you to be the payee of certain itesm, such as Social Security payments, and it allows you to sign income tax return on behalf of your spouse.

A Massachuetts health care proxy is a document by which one individual (the pricipal) appoints another (the health care agent) to make health care decisions for him or her should he or she be unable to make or communicate such decisions for himself or herself. The health care agent can even make decisions concerning the use or termiating the use of life support systems. Again, this is extremely important if you become incompetent.

These documents are needed not just for the elderly or infirm. There is no way to predict when an accident might happen or when such a document will be needed. Both are recommended as an important part of every estate plan.

This is an important legal document. Before signing, you should understand the following facts:

1. This form gives the person you choose as your agent the authority to make all health care decisions for you, including the decision to remove or provide life-sustaining treatment, unless you say otherwise in this form. "Health care" means any treatment, service or procedure to diagnose or treat your physical or mental condition.
2. Unless your agent reasonably knows your wishes about artificial nutrition and hydration (nourishment and water provided by a feeding tube or intravenous line), he or she will not be allowed to refuse or consent to those measures for you.
3. Your agent will start making decisions for you when your doctor determines that you are not able to make health care decisions for yourself.
4. You may write on this form examples of the types of treatments that you would not desire and/or those treatments that you want to make sure you receive. The instructions may be used to limit the decision-making power of the agent. Your agent must follow your instructions when making decisions for you.
5. You do not need a lawyer to fill out this form.
6. You may choose any adult (18 years of age or older), including a family member or close friend, to be your agent. If you select a doctor as your agent, he or she will have to choose between acting as your agent or as your attending doctor because a doctor cannot do both at the same time. Also, if you are a patient or resident of a hospital, nursing home or mental hygiene facility, there are special restrictions about naming someone who works for that facility as your agent. Ask staff at the facility to explain those restrictions.
7. Before appointing someone as your health care agent, discuss it with him or her to make sure that he or she is willing to act as your agent. Tell the person you choose that he or she will be your health care agent. Discuss your health care wishes and this form with your agent. Be sure to give him or her a signed copy. Your agent cannot be sued for health care decisions made in good faith.
8. If you have named your spouse as your health care agent and you later become divorced or legally separated, your former spouse can no longer be your agent by law, unless you state otherwise. If you would like your former spouse to remain your agent, you may note this on your current form and date it or complete a new form naming your former spouse.
9. Even though you have signed this form, you have the right to make health care decisions for yourself as long as you are able to do so, and treatment cannot be given to you or stopped if you object, nor will your agent have any power to object.
10. You may cancel the authority given to your agent by telling him or her or your health care provider orally or in writing.
11. Appointing a health care agent is voluntary. No one can require you to appoint one.
12. You may express your wishes or instructions regarding organ and/or tissue donation on this form.
    
    

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies from state to state, but broadly defined, abus may be:

• Physical Abuse - Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.
• Emotional Abuse - Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
• Sexual Abuse - Non-consentual sexual contact of any kind.
• Exploitation - Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property or assets of a vulnerable elder.
• Neglect - Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder.
• Abandonment - The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person

What are the warning signs of elder abuse?

While one sign does not necessarily indicate abuse, some tell-tale signs that there could be a problem are:

• Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, and burns may be an indication of physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.
• Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, and unusual depression may be indicators of emotional abuse.
• Bruises around the breasts or genital area can occur from sexual abuse.
• Sudden changes in financial situations may be the result of exploitation.
• Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss are indicators of possible neglect.
• Behavior such as belittling, threats, and other uses of power and control by spouses are indicators of verbal or emotional abuse.
• Strained or tense relationships, frequent arguments between the caregiver and elderly person are also signs. Read our section on Family Caregivers for more information about how caregivers can prevent elder abuse.

Most important is to be alert. The suffering is often in silence. If you notice changes in personality or behavior, you should start to question what is going on.

What is self-neglect and what are the signs?

Tragically, sometimes elders neglect their own care, which can lead to illness or injury. Self-neglect can include behaviors such as:

• Hoarding
• Failure to take essential medications or refusal to seek medical treatment for serious illness
• Leaving a burning stove unattended
• Poor hygiene
• Not wearing suitable clothing for the weather
• Confusion
• Inability to attend to housekeeping
• Dehydration

Sefl-neglect accounts for the majority of cases reported to adult protective services. Oftentimes, the problem is paired with declining health, isolation, Alzheimer's disease or dementia, or drug and alcohol dependency.

Who do I call if I suspect elder abuse?

• Call the police or 9-1-1 immediately if someone is in immediate, life-threatening danger.
• Call Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc. at 508-756-1545 for Protective Services.
• Call Walter Rice, Outreach Coordinator, Shrewsbury Council on Aging at 508-841-8647.