Boston,MA(September 17, 2008) – City and BHA officials today celebrated the opening of Summer House, a four- bedroom, first floor apartment for low-income seniors in need of an alternative to nursing home care. This is part of an ongoing collaboration between Ethos and BHA to provide supportive housing programs for elders.
“It’s a great day when two organizations can come together like this to provide care for people who need it most,” said Mayor Menino. “BHA and Ethos are working to ensure that the needs of Boston’s seniors are being met.”
Ethos serves Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, West Roxbury, Mattapan and Roslindale, and offers a variety of homecare services to the elderly and disabled. Summer House is located at the Malone public housing development in Hyde Park. Residents will be provided with a shared personal care homemaker, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. A personal homemaker will also live in a separate upstairs apartment in order to provide overnight on-call access. In addition, residents will be provided with case management visits, referrals to a money management program and adult daytime health programs if needed.
Other services for residents include homemaking, shopping, bathing, grooming, dressing, laundry, meal preparation, a personal response system, medication management and assistance with transportation arrangements.
“Ethos is proud to open Summer House, Boston’s first neighborhood-based, home-like alternative to nursing homes,” stated Dale Mitchell, Ethos Executive Director. This initiative, which we hope to replicate throughout southwest Boston, is all about giving a choice and hope to low-income, disabled elders.
“I’m proud the BHA is part of something that is both innovative and a real service to low-income seniors in Boston,” said Sandra Henriquez, BHA Administrator. “Too often this population is underserved and underrepresented.”
Applicants must be age 62 or older, eligible for MassHealth Standard, and qualify for public housing or and nursing home care. Applicants to the program apply directly through Ethos. If they meet the Ethos requirements, the BHA will then screen the applicants.
