Family Support
Providing care for a loved one can be wonderful, fulfilling, and also a source of great stress. To help alleviate stress and prevent “burn out,” there are a number of support groups that provide valuable assistance and information to caregivers.
Alzheimer’s Association, 24/7 Helpline
(800-272-3900) provides information, referral, and support via telephone to caregivers, people with memory loss and health care professionals.
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, Brookline Council on Aging (617-730-2777) offers a daytime support group on the 2nd Friday of each month and an evening support group on the last Thursday of each month at the Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street. Group participation is free for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Free respite may also be available for caregivers, but you must register in advance for this service.
Goddard House (617-731-8500, ext 105) in Brookline hosts an on-going discussion group that offers education and peer support. Open to all family caregivers of older adults living in the community. Held the second Tuesday of every month from 7:00 – 8:00pm, the group is facilitated by a licensed geriatric social worker. to attend.
Rogerson Communities Support Group for Family Members
(617-983-2300) is a free support group that meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month.
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center (617-789-5623)
Springwell (617-926-4100). Springwell also can make available relevant books and videos from its lending library.
The following websites provide tips for caregivers and information on specific chronic illnesses, as well as local support group referrals and online support group links
Respite Care
Respite care provides temporary “relief” and assistance to the caregivers of seniors with chronic illnesses. Services may include meal preparation, assistance with personal care, housekeeping, recreational programming, and supervised environment. Service can be provided at home or at an outside facility and length of respite care stay can vary from one week to one month. Costs vary and can range from $100 to $200 per day for nursing-home or in-home respite care or $60 to $70 per day for adult day health programs.
Chestnut Park at Cleveland Circle (617-566-1700) Respite care is provided at the facility. There is a 2-week minimum stay. Traditional respite cost if $225 per day, which includes 45 minutes of daily “assistance,” three meals a day, Kosher kitchen. Harbor Program is available at $325 per day for secured dementia program.
Goddard House (617-731-8500, ext 105) offers inpatient respite care for individuals over 65. There is a one-week minimum stay. Traditional respite care costs $200 per day and includes 60 minutes/day of personalized care services (including medication management), three meals a day, care management, exercise classes, bridge and other stimulating programs, and scheduled transportation. A specialized respite program for individuals with memory impairment costs $250 daily. to set up a tour.
Rogerson House (617-983-2300) Respite care is provided at the facility. Four day minimum stay. Cost is $#220 a day, which includes nursing supervision, medication management, personal care, meals and activities.
Sophia Snow House (617-325-7900) Respite care is provided at facility. Two week minimum stay, with cost of $150 per day. Rate includes meals, housekeeping, laundry, nursing services to dispense medications and limited personal care.
Springwell (617-926-4100) Respite care is provided in client’s home. There is a sliding scale for fees. Individual must require assistance with six different tasks, such as feeding, bathing, dressing, etc.
Adult Day Health Programs
Adult Day Health (ADH) programs offer frail seniors a place to receive medical care, as well as an opportunity for increased socialization. ADH programs are also a source of respite for caregivers.
ADH program staff may consist of nurses, social workers, recreational therapists, certified nursing assistants, physical and occupational therapists and dieticians.
The programs vary, but they usually include breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack; nursing care including medication administering/reminders; daily activities such as exercise, discussion groups, outings to restaurants and cultural events; personal care if needed and door-to-door transportation.
Masshealth (Medicaid) and private pay are the two most common sources of payment for ADH programs. Limited assistance may be available through your local Aging Services Access Point (Springwell for Brookline residents.)
(617-363-8515). Private pay, $60 per day; transportation $12.50 per day. Bilingual service available for Russian elders.
Adult Day Health Program at Wallingford Road
Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (617-912-8452) Private pay, $60 per day; transportation $12.50 per day. All staff are bilingual, Russian/English.
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center (617-323-5111) Transportation can be arranged. Bilingual services available for all elders.
Greater Boston Guild for the Blind (617-363- 2329) Transporation can be arranged.
Rogerson Communities Adult Day Center (617-363-2329), Florence Street, Roslindale. Private pay, $58 per day, Dementia/Alzheimer’s program, $70 per day. Transportation $17 each way.
Rogerson House, (617-983-2300) 434 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain. Private pay, $85 per day. Transportation $17.50 each way
Windsor House Adult Health Care--Sancta Marias
(617-491-1815),
Concord Avenue, Cambridge. Private pay, adult day health program, $54 per day. Dementia/Alzheimer’s program, $69 per day. Transportation not available to Brookline residents.
Windsor House Adult Day Health Care
(617-547-7836) Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge Social day, $35 per day; Adult day, $54 per day; Dementia/Alzheimer’s program, $64 per day. Transportation negotiated based on distance and ambulatory status.
Windsor House Adult Health Care
--Myrtle Street, Somerville (617-628-2575) Private pay, $35 per day. Adult day $54 per day. Transportation based on distance and ambulatory status)
Articles, Web Sites, Blogs
Support Disclaimer: Inclusion of services on this website does not represent a recommendation from the Brookline Council on Aging, the Brookline Senior Center, or the Brookline Community Aging Network.
Disclaimer: Inclusion of services through this program does not represent a recommendation or guarantee of work performance from the Brookline Council on Aging, the Brookline Senior Center, or the Brookline Community Aging Network. The user of this program therefore agrees to release the above named from any and all liability. The user should make whatever investigation or other resources that they deem necessary or appropriate before hiring or engaging Service Providers.