Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | April 12, 2021 | wbjournal.com choices. Anne was in tears. Looking up "home care" online, in a matter of one second you will have more than 90 million matches. e informa- tion can be overwhelming. e best place to get unbiased information is right in your backyard. roughout Massa- chusetts, there are 25 Aging Services Access Points. Each is a private nonprofit with a volunteer board of directors made up of representatives from the local Councils on Aging and people aged 60 and older who live in the communities. ASAPs are regulated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. e overall mission of any ASAP is to provide comprehensive information and quality services so older people and their families are empowered to make personalized choices to ensure a life of dignity, safety, and respect. Central Massachusetts is represented by Montachusett Home Care in north- ern Worcester County, Elder Services of Worcester, and Tri-Valley Elder Services in southern Worcester County. Our aging process seems to go at a faster rate the older we get. Before you realize it, like Anne, in a blink, you may have noticed your mother, your father, or a beloved relative, friend, or neighbor in need of addition- al supports. ese supports could include basic tasks we take for granted such as cook- ing, cleaning, driving, laundry, or managing finances. ere is staff dedicated exclusively at Montachusett Home Care to provide comprehensive information and counseling. Our case managers and nurses assess the individ- ual needs of older adults and develop a personalized service plan. I entered the field of aging services because I was a caregiver for my moth- er-in-law Joyce, who had Alzheimer's. My husband Jeff and I walked the walk of caregiving for seven years. We were overwhelmed, felt alone, did not know where to find the answers. Joyce died at home and remains an inspiration of the human spirit, dignity, and respect. If you are concerned about an older- loved one, neighbor or friend needing support with daily tasks or even man- aging finances, please reach out to your ASAP. If you need help navigating the options, please reach out to your ASAP. If you are a caregiver or grandparent raising a grandchild, please reach out to your ASAP. e ASAP network supports over 63,000 older adults in their own homes in Massachusetts. Anne has hope. She is not alone; she is relieved her mom Mary is getting services in her home. Mary is at ease chatting with her MHCC case manager Stacey and MHCC nurse Suzanne. Mary enjoys her home-delivered meals and looks forward to seeing her in-home worker Sandy two times a week. We are all aging! Know us before you need us! ere is hope! Lori A. Richardson is CEO of Montachusett Home Care in Leominster. 100 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd., Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 508-757-0330 | Fax: 508-752-9850 aohns.com Welcoming patients for 20 years, providing a broad range of services including: PHYSICIANS Andrea Chiaramonte M.D., M.P.H. Melinda Thacker M.D. Jonathon Sillman M.D. Eugenie Du M.D., M.P.H. Douglas O'Brien M.D Kathryn Noonan M.D. Cynthia Duhamel PA-C Robert Moran PA-C AUDIOLOGIST Marla Allard, M.A., CCC-A Jane Ehnstrom, M.S., CCC-A Michelle Fleck, M.A., CCC-A Merrisa Murtha, AU.D., CCC-A Professional Otolaryngology Specialty Care in a Kind and Compassionate Manner • Adult and Pediatric patients welcome • Audiology and balance testing and medical treatment • yroid and parathyroid surgical evaluation and intervention • Sinus and nasal disease evaluated and treated • Evaluation of Long-COVID symptoms including Smell, Taste and Hearing loss • All manner of Head and Neck masses and lesions evaluated and treated • Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for seasonal and environmental allergies • In office surgery, including Balloon sinuplasty available if appropriate. F O C U S S E N I O R P L A N N I N G G U I D E W e are all aging! How many of us have plans to spend our golden years in a nursing home? How many of us have had conversations with our parents that going into a nursing home is built into their plans? Nursing homes are vital to the continuum of care, but they are usually the last resort. Our mindset is to stay home. You can. Your loved ones can. I had a conversation with a woman, Anne, who was concerned with her 74-year-old mother Mary needing support. Anne expressed her fear about getting in-home services. She was over- whelmed with navigating through all the Tap into services to help you stay at home By Lori A. Richardson The best place to get unbiased information is right in your backyard. W

• Cover