ElderWeb

The Massachusetts Department of Aging has posted a list of new aging-related legislation and events in Massachusetts. The latest bills enacted include:

- The nation's first insurance-based prescription drug program for elders and people with qualified disabilities, which sets monthly premiums, annual deductibles and co-payments based on a member's annual household income, and fully subsidizes certain premiums and deductibles for very low income persons.

- An expansion of the Supportive Housing program from 15 sites to 27, to serve about 4,000 elders with "assisted living-like" services such as 24-hour care, housekeeping and meals.

- An additional $1.1 million to investigate and remedy incidences of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, and support the Money Management Program's efforts to help elders manage their personal finances and retain financial independence.

- An increase of $4.4 million for the statewide Home Care Program, to preserve independence for 39,000 elders each month.