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Staff Access

Services for Specific Populations
Chronic Illness
General
See Also: People with Disabilities
Patient Handouts from the CRC
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Medical alert tags are used to alert doctors, paramedics, or other first responders of a person's medical condition that might require immediate attention.
- They can be found at Wal-Mart, CVS, and other pharmacies, as well as online.
- The MedicAlert Foundation is the only non-profit medical response system in the marketplace. Other for-profit sources--including ones that are more style conscious--are available online.
- The MedicAlert Foundation offers free memberships to those with financial need. These memberships come with a free medical alert bracelet or necklace and access to an Emergency Medical Information Record.
—MGH Community News, September 2013
- Tip- to measure for size if you don't have a tape measure: wrap a piece of paper around wrist, mark end and then use a ruler to measure length.
- ABA Free Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill
- topics include paying for healthcare, managing health and personal decisions, managing money and property, planning for dependent care, patient rights and employee rights.
--MGH Community News, January 2010
- Maintaining Compassionate Care: A Companion for Families Experiencing the Uncertainty of a Serious and Prolonged Illness
--MGH Institue of Health Professions; from the conference "Maintaining Compassionate Care, Strategies to Prepare Family and Professional Caregiver Teams for Ethical Dilemma of Caregiving," 2007.
- Directory of National Genetic Voluntary Organizations
-- Links to many national disease specific organizations
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) www.rarediseases.org
--They also have prescription assistance for specific drugs/conditions.
Program Highlights
- Volunteer Help at Home
- Neighbor Brigade - MGH Community News, July/Aug 2011
- Serves those with a "temporary crisis" (such as due to a health concern, accident, high-risk pregnancy or birth, injury or death in the family). See website for list of served communities.
- Lotsa Helping Hands - create a care community of friends, family and neighborhood volunteers.
- HealthWell Foundation - MGH Community News, February 2007
--Financial assistance for medical costs.
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HomePower - Expanded Home Care for Adults - MGH Community News, February 2007
--For Boston residents who are MassHealth eligible- also called Group Adult Foster Care.
- Patient Advocate Foundation - MGH Community News, October 2006
--Mediation re: access to care, employment and financial stability when the crisis is related to life-threatening or debilitating diseases.
- www.Lotsahelpinghands.com
- MGH Community News, March 2005
--Helps to organize informal volunteer shifts and services.
- Caring Bridge - MGH Community News, October 2003
--Free websites to keep loved-ones in touch during life events such as medical treatment, rehabilitation, childbirth, adoption and end-of-life care.
Archive
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UTag ICE (In Case of Emergency) - - No Longer Active. computer chip containing medical emergency contact information worn like a medic-alert bracelet.
--MGH Community News, December 2009
- NeighborGood- MGH Community News, June 2017 - No Longer Active
- Serves people with chronic illness and disabilities; at this writing serves Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford
- RestartLiving.org- Learn to Live Better with a Chronic Condition - MGH Community News, January 2012 - No Longer Active
- Memories of Love Foundation- MGH Community News, July 2007 - No Longer Active
--Florida Vacations for families with a seriously ill parent
- The Joy of Cleaning- MGH Community News, July 2007 - No Longer Active
--Offer a one-time free house cleaning for the seriously ill
- MGH CarePages - No Longer Active
--Free, private websites to help loved ones stay connected with family, friends and colleagues before,
during and after a healthcare challenge.
Rev 3/19 |