How Do I ...?
NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
How do I get a health care proxy?
A health care proxy is a simple legal document that allows you to choose someone to make medical decisions for you, if, for any reason, you are unable to make these decisions yourself. The person you choose (your "agent") must be at least 18 years old, and should be someone you know and trust to act in your best interest. You can give your agent the authority to make all medical decisions for you, or you can limit your agent's authority by including a list of specific medical treatments you would accept or reject.
Your health care proxy will take effect only if your physician declares in writing that you are unable to make your own decisions. This could happen if you were unconscious or in a coma, or mentally incompetent, for example. Your agent would then be allowed to talk to your doctors about your health, and would have the authority to accept or refuse treatment for you.
You do not need a lawyer to complete a health care proxy. You can fill out the form yourself. The only requirement is that you sign your health care proxy in front of two adult witnesses. (Your agent cannot be a witness.) Once you have signed the form, you should give a copy to your agent, your doctors, family members, and any health centers where your medical records are kept. You may change your health care proxy at any time.
You can get more information and a copy of the health care proxy document online:
You can also get a health care proxy from your doctor, health clinic, or ASAP.
A health care proxy is also called a "durable power of attorney for health care." Rules about health care proxies can be found in the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 201D. HEALTH CARE PROXIES.
How do I make a living will?
A living will is a document in which you describe the type of medical treatment you want if you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. It allows you to make end-of-life decisions while you are physically and mentally competent to do so.
Massachusetts is one of only a few states that do not allow legally binding living wills. If you write a living will in Massachusetts, your doctors are not legally obligated to follow your wishes. However, a living will can help health care providers and the courts make decisions about your medical care.
In a living will, you should be as specific as you can about life-prolonging measures such as artificial nutrition and hydration, "Do Not Resuscitate" orders, pain medication, and other treatments you would accept or reject.
Because there is no law authorizing living wills in Massachusetts, there is no standard format that you must follow. You can get sample living will forms online:
-
Massachusetts Personal Wishes Statement (English, Spanish, Vietnamese)
from the Better Ending Partnership and UMass Memorial Health Care
-
Living Will
from the Massachusetts-wills.com web site. (This is a form that you can fill in on your computer and then print.)
As an alternative to a living will, you can list your preferences about specific medical treatments in your health care proxy, and limit the authority of your agent in making end-of-life decisions.
How do I get a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order?
You have the right to decide if you want medical workers to use CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to try to save your life if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. This is a decision you should make with your doctor, family members, and other people you trust. If you do not want CPR to be used, you must get a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order from your doctor.
You may ask your doctor for a DNR order at any time. You may cancel a DNR order if you change your mind.
A DNR order usually only applies in hospitals and nursing facilities. If you also want a DNR order to apply in your home and other non-hospital settings, you and your doctor must complete a Comfort Care (CC) / DNR Order Verification Form. Without the CC/DNR Verification Form, emergency medical responders, if called, are required to use CPR to try to save your life.
You must keep the signed CC/DNR Verification Form in a place where emergency responders can find it easily. For example, you can keep it on your bedroom door, or you can keep it in a bracelet or necklace that you wear. It is a good idea to let your local ambulance service know that you have a CC/DNR Order Verification Form, in case they are called in an emergency.
For more information, see Comfort Care - Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order Verification Program, and Download Comfort Care/DNR Order Verification Form from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
How do I give someone permission to see my medical records?
A federal law known as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects the privacy of your medical information. HIPAA limits the ways doctors, pharmacies, other health care providers, health insurance companies, nursing homes, and Medicaid/Medicare can share your personal health information.
HIPAA does not allow your health care providers to share your medical information with family members, caregivers, or friends. However, you can give your health care providers permission to share this information by filling out an "Authorization for Release of Information" form.
On this form, you should include:
- the name of the health care provider or organization
- the person or organization with whom the information can be shared
- what information you want to share
- the dates when the information can be shared
- your signature
You may cancel permission at any time.
You can download a copy of the HIPAA release form from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health web site:
How do I get a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a legal document in which you give another person (your "agent") the right to handle financial and legal matters for you. The person you name as your agent must be 18 years of age or older and can be a family member or close friend. The person you choose should be someone you trust with your money and other possessions.
-
Giving someone else the power of attorney does not mean you give up your own rights. You can still handle your own financial and legal matters, and you can revoke the power of attorney at any time. The power of attorney ends upon your death.
-
In Massachusetts, the power of attorney may be general or limited. A general power of attorney gives your agent all of the rights that you have in handling your financial matters. A limited power of attorney gives your agent only the rights you list in the document. For example, you may authorize someone to sign a particular legal document for you while you are out of town.
-
A power of attorney does not give your agent the right to make medical decisions for you. You must have a health care proxy for this purpose.
-
A power of attorney can be written to go into effect right away, or at a later date.
-
A regular power of attorney stops being in effect if you become incompetent. If you want the power of attorney to go into effect, or remain in effect, if you become incompetent, you must have a durable power of attorney.
-
Rules about durable powers of attorney can be found in the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 201B. UNIFORM DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT.
Having a durable power of attorney can save your family time and money if you become incompetent. However, a durable power of attorney can be abused. Even though you aren't required to have a lawyer to write a power of attorney document, you should get legal advice to protect yourself.
You can get a power of attorney form from your local ASAP or Legal Services office. Legal Services offers free legal help to seniors age 60 or older.
How do I qualify for senior discounts?
Many businesses and services offer discounts to seniors. The age at which seniors qualify for these discounts varies from age 50 to age 65.
Local shops, national chain stores, public transportation, hair salons and barbers, pharmacies, supermarkets, restaurants, museums and parks, movie theaters, travel services, online stores, and many other businesses offer these discounts. Some businesses have specific days or hours when seniors get discounts. You may need to show proof of your age, such as a driver's license or other photo ID card.
There are several ways to find out about senior discounts:
- ask a customer service representative at the shop or service where you are doing business
- ask your local Senior Center if they have a list of discounts
- join a senior organization such as AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired People) whose members qualify for a variety of discounts. For more information, see AARP Member Services and Discounts
Most senior discounts save you money, but some do not. Always check to see if there is another way to get a better price.
How do I get free banking?
Massachusetts state-chartered banks are required by law to offer free personal checking and savings accounts to seniors age 65 or older, with no minimum balance. These accounts are called 18-65 accounts because the law also applies to accounts for children 18 or younger. You must show proof of your age to qualify.
The law prohibits the bank from charging you monthly service fees for 18-65 accounts. In addition, the bank must give you basic printed checks for free, and allow you to write checks, and make deposits and withdrawals at the bank at no charge. If you bounce a check, the bank cannot charge you more than $5 per bounced check.
The bank can still charge you for other banking services, such as stop payments or money orders, according to their schedule of fees. You will usually pay extra for travelers' checks, or for custom printed checks.
You should check your bank statements to make sure that you are not being charged any fees not allowed by law. If you are opening a new account, be sure to tell the bank that you are 65 or older and want an 18-65 account.
For more information, see 18-65 Accounts.
How do I get a Massachusetts ID card?
If you do not have a driver's license and you are a resident of Massachusetts, you can get a Massachusetts ID card to use as official identification and proof of age. You can get an ID card at any full-service Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office:
To get a Massachusetts ID, you must:
- complete the Application for Mass ID (requires Adobe Reader)
- pay a $25 application fee
- bring required proofs:
- SSN card, passport, or SSN denial with visa code
- proof of date of birth
- proof of signature
- proof of Massachusetts residency
The Mass ID is valid for 5 years and can be renewed online. For more information, see Obtaining a Massachusetts ID and Obtaining a Massachusetts Liquor ID on the RMV web site.
If you have questions, you may call the Registry of Motor Vehicles at 617-351-4500 (from area codes 339, 617, 781, or 857) or 1-800-858-3926 (from area codes 351, 413, 508, 774, or 978). Hearing-impaired seniors should call 1-877-RMV-TTDD.
How do I get free tuition at public colleges?
Senior citizens over the age of 60 qualify for tuition waivers at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. To be eligible, a senior must:
- be a resident of Massachusetts for at least one year
- be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- submit a Waiver Form (available from the college)
- show proof of age
There may also be additional eligibility requirements.
Some schools grant fee waivers as well as tuition waivers to seniors. Fees often cost three to four times as much as tuition, so fee waivers are important if you want to keep your education costs low. For example, a typical community college tuition charge is $25 per credit hour. Fees for that course may be $100 or more per credit hour, for a total of $125 or more per credit hour.
At some public colleges, senior citizens get a 100% waiver of tuition and fees for daytime classes, but only a tuition waiver for evening or online courses. Policies vary from one school to another.
Senior tuition waivers usually apply on a space available basis only. For "space available" waivers, seniors cannot register until a week or so before the start of classes. Seniors who want a guaranteed spot in a class must pay standard tuition and fees.
For general information about senior citizen tuition waivers, call the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at 617-727-9420. For more specific questions, call the financial aid office at the public college or university you hope to attend, and ask about their tuition and fee waiver policy for seniors.
How do I find out about nursing homes?
There are several ways to find out about nursing homes:
-
You can get information about nursing homes from your local elder services agency. For contact information, see Massachusetts Area Agencies on Aging (AAA's) and Aging Service Access Points (ASAP's) on the Senior Connection web site, or call 1-800-244-3032.
-
You can call or visit nursing homes in your area. To see a list of nursing homes, enter your zip code or city on the Facility Search tool on the Massachusetts Senior Care Association web site.
-
The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ) inspects nursing homes about once a year and investigates complaints and serious incidents. You can read these reports on the DHCQ web site Nursing Home Search Page, or you can call the Division of Health Care Quality at 617-753-8000.
-
Medicare offers a Nursing Home Compare tool that lets you compare nursing homes throughout the United States based on health inspection results, nursing home staff data, quality measures, and fire safety inspection results.
For more information, see Nursing Homes.
How do I decide which housing situation is best for me?
There are many housing options for seniors, including home health care, independent living, assisted living, adult family care, and nursing homes. If you don't know which option is best for you, the Care Interpreter can help you decide. The Care Interpreter is a free online tool from the American Health Care Association that helps you assess the level of care you need. To use the tool, see Welcome to the Care Interpreter.
How do I watch my old TV without paying for cable or satellite service?
The government required all U.S. television stations to stop sending analog (old style) signals and switch to digital (new style) broadcasting on June 12, 2009. The new system is called Digital TV, or DTV for short.
If you have an old-style analog television and you are using an antenna to watch TV for free, your television no longer works unless you have a converter box. A converter box is a special device that you plug into your TV to keep it working with the new DTV signals. (If you use cable or satellite service instead of an antenna, your television still works, even if it is an old-style analog TV.)
You can buy a DTV converter box for $40 to $70 at most stores that sell televisions and other electronic devices. The government used to offer coupons to help pay for the converter boxes, but that program has ended. For more information about DTV, see What is DTV? on the FCC web site.
How do I pay for hospice care?
Most government and private health insurance plans in Massachusetts include hospice benefits. MassHealth Standard, CommonHealth, Family Assistance (direct coverage), Commonwealth Care, the Veterans' Administration health plan, and Medicare all have hospice benefits. Many hospices use a sliding fee scale or provide charitable care for patients without insurance coverage.
In general, you are eligible to choose hospice care if your physician determines that you are terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less. If you choose hospice care, you agree to get all services related to your terminal illness from your hospice. You will no longer be covered for treatment or medications intended to cure your illness.
For more information, see the Hospice and Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts web site. For Medicare information, see Medicare Hospice Benefits. For MassHealth information, see the MassHealth Hospice Manual.
How do I get a tracking device for wanderers?
There are several types of tracking devices to help find people who wander due to Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, or other cognitive disorders. Some devices use GPS satellite tracking, while others use radio frequency signals. Some systems require a cell phone, some use hard-to-remove wristbands, and one company is developing shoes with hidden GPS devices inside (see GPS Smart Shoe).
The Alzheimer's Association offers Comfort Zone, a web application and GPS tracking device that alerts caregivers when the person they are tracking wanders out of their safety zone.
Project Lifesaver, an international nonprofit agency, offers a "LoJack for People" system that has been very successful in finding and returning wanderers. Clients wear special wristbands or anklebands with embedded LoJack radio transmitters. Local public safety agencies receive training in how to use the system and how to deal with wanderers to bring them home safely. There is a $99 enrollment fee and a $1 a day maintenance fee for the Project Lifesaver devices. Financial assistance may be available. See Project Lifesaver - Enroll a Loved One for more information.
For information about tracking devices, call your local Elder Services agency, the Elder Affairs AgeInfo line at 1-800-243-4636, the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Association at 800-548-2111, or Project Lifesaver at 877-580-5433.
Other questions?
If you have other "How do I ...?" questions about senior issues that you would like us to answer on the MassResources.org web site, please use this link to send us an e-mail: . If your question is of general interest to the Massachusetts senior community, we will post an answer on this page.
How Do I ... ? for Seniors last updated on 3/15/10
Aggravation unappreciated assertive optoacoustic. Perspicuity steadiness micrencephaly statohm pyro deplenish riffle oligodendria homoemorphic penalize monodirectional.
pamelor
nexium tylenol 3 tenormin ambien online zoloft buy xanax augmentin caulk atorvastatin
generic soma zyprexa idiogram amoxicillin dosage benicar
buy adipex
bookplate 8 cialis
vasotec cytotec unsettled carisoprodol indocin tylenol ambien of soma
retching nonpermissive atarax amoxil remeron clopidogrel flagyl uncloak phentermine with
paxil
erythromycin
combivent serevent naproxen
c
|
