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Chronic Illness
General

 

 See Also:   People with Disabilities


      Patient Handouts from the CRC

     

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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