Resources for Older Adults in Western MA

This page assists older adults in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties in finding key services to address their needs as they age. It was put together in partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and an small advisory group from Western MA. Use the menu below to find resources.

Note: This page is a work in progress. Please send us any suggestions about how we can improve this page.

Aging Services

Organizations that act as the Aging Service Access Point (ASAP) in your region and Councils on Aging (COAs) offer a wide variety of services and supports to older adults.

Aging Service Access Points (ASAPs)
Aging Service Access Points (ASAPs) offer support for adults 60+ and their caregivers, including help with care planning, food, housing, health, home care, finances, transportation, and safety. Find your local ASAP in Western MA below, or use the statewide map to locate your service area.

Access Care Partners (formerly WestMass ElderCare)
Services the following towns: Holyoke, Chicopee, Granby, South Hadley, Ludlow, Belchertown, and Ware.

Phone: 413-538-9020 / 800-462-2301
Connect to their services on 413Cares

Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc.
Services the following towns: Agawam, Brimfield, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Holland, Longmeadow, Palmer, Springfield, Monson, Wales, West Springfield, and Wilbraham.

Phone: 413-781-8800 / 800-649-3641
Connect to their services on 413Cares

Elder Services of the Berkshires
Services the all towns in Berkshire County.

Phone: 413-499-0524 / 800-544-5242
Connect to their services on 413Cares

Highland Valley Elder Services
Services the following towns: Amherst, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Granville, Hadley, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Northampton, Pelham, Plainfield, Russell, Southampton, Southwick, Tolland, Westfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington.

Phone: 413-773-5555
Connect to their services on 413Cares

LifePath
Services all towns in Franklin County and the towns of Athol, Royalston, Phillipston and Petersham in Worcester
County.

Phone: 413-773-5555
Connect to their services on 413Cares
Councils on Aging and Senior Centers
Every Massachusetts city and town has a Council on Aging (COA), which offers support and services to older adults. Some Councils on Aging operate a Senior Center, which offers space for on site programming and activities.

Find your COA
Resource Guides
Some ASAPs have created resource guides to help older adults and caregivers navigate to the services needed.

GSSSI Resource Guide
LifePath Resource Directory
Mass Options - Speak with a Mass Options Specialist Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm by calling 800-243-4636 or visiting their website

Food

Connect to food programs serving older adults around all 4 counties of Western MA. Filter the list by your zip code to narrow to the programs that serve you.

You can find more information and resources on our Food page.

Housing

A good place to start is by contacting your local Aging Service Access Point organization to inquire about housing support. More general housing information and resources can be found on the 413Cares Housing Page.

Congregate Housing
Congregate Housing offers a shared living environment for individuals with physical limitations who don’t need 24-hour care. Residents have private rooms and share common spaces like kitchens and living areas. Support services may include personal care, homemaking, and meal programs. These ASAPs provide Congregate Housing services in Western MA:

LifePath, contact them at 413-773-5555
Access Care Partners, contact them at 413-538-9020 / 800-462-2301
Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc, contact them at 413-781-8800 / 800-649-3641
Supportive Housing
Supportive Housing provides affordable housing with coordinated services for people managing chronic physical or mental health conditions.

LifePath Supportive Housing
Elder Services of the Berkshires
Access Care Partners
GSSSI Adult Foster Care
GSSSI Supportive Housing
O'Connell Senior Living

Aging in Place

Many older adults prefer to age at home, but everyday tasks can become harder over time. The programs below support aging in place.

Options Counseling
Options Counseling is a short-term, interactive process that helps older adults and caregivers explore long-term care options and make informed decisions.

Contact your local Aging Service Access Point Organization.
Neighbor Networks and other Volunteer-Based Services
These community-based programs connect older adults with each other for social support and help with light tasks. Some rely on volunteers, while others combine staff and volunteer support.

Find Neighbor Networks in Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Hilltown Elder Network
QVCDC Senior Outreach Program
Berkshire Home Care Program
Caregiver Support
Contact your Aging Service Access Point organization to inquire about caregiver support options.

General Caregiver Support

LifePath Information and Caregiver Resource Center
LifePath Caregiver Grants
GSSSI Caregiver Support

Respite Care
Provides short-term care that gives primary caregivers a break, available at home, in adult day centers, or care facilities.

Contact your local Aging Service Access Point organization
CareOne Massachusetts
Viability Day Program
Medical Equipment
Medical Equipment programs may offer support for acquiring and installing durable medical equipment (DME) to support aging in place. Many local COAs or Senior Centers also loan equipment—contact yours to learn more.

REquipment Loan Program - UCP of Western MA
Home Sweet Home - provides wheelchair ramps and DME
Medical Equipment Loan Program - Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
REquipment Reuse Program for DME
Adult Foster Care
Access Care Partners
VCare Medical
LifePath

Health and Home Care

Aging Service Access Point organizations are a good place to start when looking for home care providers. Additionally, you can find a list of home and health care providers in Western MA. The list can be filtered by your zip code to narrow the list to what serves your area.

You can also find Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services in the Massachusetts PCA Directory.

Transportation

Medical Rides
Many organizations offer rides to healthcare appointments, with options like discounted passes, scheduled trips, and accessible transportation for older adults.

Find a list of medical rides providers. You can filter by your zip code to narrow to what serves you.

Medical Rides
Senior Van Service
Reserved rides for older adults to access services and appointments. Many COAs offer local or shared van service with nearby communities.

Hilltown CDC - serving Hilltown residents of Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Plainfield, Russell, and Worthington.
PVTA Senior Van Service - serving residents of Hampshire and Hampden Counties.
Quaboag Connector - serving Quaboag Hill residents of Belchertown, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Monson, North Brookfield, Palmer, Ware, Warren, and West Brookfield.
FRTA Demand Response Service - serving residents of Franklin County.
Statewide Access Pass
Para Transit
Paratransit services offer door-to-door transportation with advance reservations for older adults and individuals with disabilities or limited mobility.

PVTA (Hampden and Hampshire Counties):

Senior and Mobility Impaired Transportation Access Pass
ADA Paratransit Service

FRTA (Franklin County):

People with Disabilities, ADA Paratransit

BRTA (Berkshire County):

Paratransit
Volunteer-based ride services
Transportation Services (Berkshires)
Neighbor Programs in Hampshire and Franklin counties
Travel Training
Travel Training helps individuals learn to use public transit, read schedules, and gain independence. Certified trainers offer personalized or group mobility coaching.

BRTA Travel Training
PVTA Travel Training

Dementia Resources

There are support services for caregivers and people with Alzheimer's and dementia. A good place to start is at your local Aging Service Access Point organizations and Council on Aging.

Caregiver Resources