Help-line Library

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Comparing Nursing Homes January 2003
Q: Is there a new way to evaluate nursing homes?

Home Health Compare April 2003
Q: Can I research quality of care in home health agencies in Massachusetts?

Home Care Worker Shortage November 2003
Q: Are we running out of people to take care of our elderly?

Nursing Homes Changing April 2004
Q: Is the role of nursing homes changing?

What is Assisted Living? July 2001
Q: What is the difference between regular elderly housing and “assisted living”?

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Paying for Family Care - January 2007
Q: Can family members get paid as Caregivers?

Care for the Dying: Mediocre February 2003
Q: Does Massachusetts provide decent care for those who are dying?

New Family Leave Plan June 2006
Q: Is there a new family leave plan & tax benefit for people caring for elders?

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Heating Season Protections December 2007
Q: Can elders get protection from utility shut-offs?

Elderly Problem Gamblers November 2007
Q: Are elderly gamblers a growing problem?

Telephone Scams July 2007
Q: How can I protect myself from telephone scams?

Food Stamp Use Rises March 2007
Q: Are elderly people eligible for Food Stamps?

Cell Phone Quiz August 2004

Census Figures Surprising May 2000
Q: What do we learn about older people from the U.S. Census forms that we filled out?

Couch Potato Nation? June 2003
Q: How much exercise should a person get each week?

Floss, Make Music, Go to Church September 1999
Q: Is it true that bad teeth can hurt a senior’s overall health?

Food Stamp Debit Cards September 2005
Q: What are these new debit cards for food stamps?

Older Consumers Rule! July 2004
Q: Are teens or senior citizens more powerful in the marketplace?

To Retire, Or Not To Retire …. August 2000
Q: Are most people over the age of 60 retired?

Veterans Identity Theft July 2006
Q: As an older veteran, what should I do about the stolen VA records and potential identity theft?

Stealing You: Identity Theft September 2002
Q: What is “identity theft”?

“The Best Years of My Life” December 2000
Q: Is it true that most older people are unhappy with the quality of their golden years?

Retirement Age: Going Up January 2000
Q: Has the Social Security retirement age of 65 changed?

Seniors Take to Internet May 2001
Q: Is it true that most people using the internet are barely out of college?

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Managing Your Debt August 2007
Q: Are seniors in debt with their credit cards?

Property Tax Credit Time February 2007
Q: Is the "circuit breaker" property tax credit for the elderly still available?

Used Eldercare Equipment April 2007
Q: Where can I buy & sell used home care equipment?

Financial Abuse of Elders August 2005
Q: Is financial abuse of seniors a growing problem?

Help Managing Your Bills January 2005
Q: Can my Mom get help untangling her bills?

Home Heating Deduction February 2006
Q: Is there a new state tax break on home heating oil?

“Private” Social Security? July 2000
Q: When politicians talk about making Social Security “private,” what do they mean?

Property Tax Breaks April 2005
Q: Are elderly property tax breaks changing?

Social Security Crisis? March 2005
Q: Is Social Security going bankrupt?

Women, Social Security, Y2K August 1999
Q: Does the future of Social Security after Y2K affect women more than men?

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Treating Incontinence September 2007
Q: Is urinary incontinence a treatible condition?

Breast Cancer and Elders June 2007
Q: Is Breast Cancer just a disease of younger women?

Preventing Falls May 2007
Q: Any tips for preventing falls among the elderly?

Dental, Vision Restored August 2006
Q: Has MassHealth Restored dental and vision services for older adults?

Do You Have Porous Bones? March 2001
Q: Osteoporosis is a big problem for women, but shouldn’t men be concerned too?

New “Self-Neglect” Law September 2004
Q: What is the state’s new “self abuse” law for elders?

Obesity & Older People October 2003
Q: Is obesity a problem among older Americans?

Pre-Diabetes: The “New” Disease June 2002
Q: What is pre-diabetes?

Lowering Your Risk Factors March 2000
Q: Is it true that most people will develop some kind of chronic health condition as they get older?

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Avoiding Medicare Fraud May 1999
Q: How can elders protect themselves from Medicare fraud or abuse?

Drugs from Canada? February 2004
Q: Does the new Medicare drug law make importing drugs from Canada legal?

May 15 Drug Deadline April 2006
Q: Can I still join the Medicare Drug plan?

Medicare D Online January 2006
Q: Can I still sign up for the Medicare drug program?

Medicare Drugs Soon May 2005
Q: When are Medicare drugs starting?

Medicare & Food Stamps February 2005
Q: Can people on Medicare get food stamps too?

Medicare Has No Teeth June 2005
Q: Does Medicare cover dental expenses?

Your Medicare Rights July 1999
Q: If my Medicare HMO refuses to pay for a service I want, do I have the right to appeal their decision?

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Good Fat. Bad Fat. September 2003
Q: What are trans fats? Why put them on labels?

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A Vaccine for Alzheimer’s? August 2001
Q: How many people in Massachusetts are suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease?

Medication Education June 1999
Q: My mother takes seven medications. How can I be sure that she is safe taking all these drugs?

“The Prescription Advantage” February 2001
Q: Is the state starting another elderly prescription program?

Tips for Taking Meds December 2004
Q: Is there a way to keep my medication straight?