Putting the ‘assistance’ in assisted living

It was wonderful to see Beth Teitell highlight the diversity of housing options available to seniors (“An age-old question on housing,’’ Page A1, Aug. 6). As one of the newest forms of senior housing, assisted-living residences offer a safe place to live independently, particularly if you need help with daily activities, no longer want to cook, or are fed up with home maintenance. Many new assisted-living residents are also delighted by new friendships and the opportunity to continue growing through creative programs and activities. Each community is unique, and there are a variety of choices to suit the diverse needs and preferences of seniors.

We agree with one senior quoted in the article that more “assistance’’ in assisted living would benefit the residents. The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association and its members have proposed changing regulations to allow residences to include health staff to assist with basic health care needs (injections, application of bandages, management of oxygen, or applications of ointments or drops). We’ll continue to pursue this “common-sense health services’’ bill and additional initiatives to further expand the choices available to Massachusetts seniors in assisted living and beyond.

Brian Doherty

President and CEO

Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA)

There are other programs for seniors

The Globe correctly identifies the dilemma facing our growing senior population of where to live but omits two programs that are already proving a success (“An age-old question on housing,’’ Page A1, Aug. 6).

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (known as PACE) and Senior Care Options (known as SCOs) both allow frail seniors to continue living independently at home by providing a combination of comprehensive, integrated, and patient-centered medical care and nonmedical support services. SCOs are available to those eligible for Medicaid and who also may have Medicare; they have no premiums or out-of-pocket expenses. PACE takes Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay; typically, people who enroll pay nothing.

As demonstrated in state and federal studies, PACE and SCOs are popular with older adults and cost-effective because they keep seniors out of emergency rooms and nursing homes. State and federal policy makers should be doing everything to encourage their growth.

Richard Burke

President and CEO, Fallon Health