Boston Globe: "Massachusetts considers regulations for home care agencies caring for elderly"

"Doug Hano has struggled for years to find reliable care for his wife, Kirsten, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Once a “rock star” in the advertising industry, Kirsten, 58, now needs help with most basic tasks, including dressing, taking a shower, brushing her teeth, and eating. A string of inexperienced or unreliable home care workers, one of whom was present when Kirsten tripped on a curb outside and fell, leaving her requiring stitches, have left Hano frustrated and heartbroken.

“Here I am trying to spend extra money for peace of mind or better service,” he said, “but it’s very clear that the availability of good folks is limited.”

Doug Hano helped his wife, Kirsten, in the kitchen of
their home. Doug has struggled to find home
care for Kirsten, who was diagnosed at
age 53 with early onset Alzheimer's. S
uzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

In a state where barbers, manicurists, and massage therapists must be licensed, home care agencies providing nonmedical support are subject to shockingly little oversight, despite the profound vulnerability of the people who rely on them.

Massachusetts is one of only four states without a licensing process for private, nonmedical home care agencies, said Harrison Collins, director of legislative affairs for the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, an industry group representing about 200 agencies that provide help with the tasks of daily living, including bathing and toileting, household chores, and basic companionship."

Continue reading the article online with this link -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/30/metro/home-care-massachusetts-senior-alzheimers-regulate/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

FM #568 - EDC discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses (audio)

FM #568 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 568 in the series. 

This shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting that was held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; two committee members were in the Council Chambers, two participated remotely along with several others via Zoom conference bridge. 

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about 1 hour and forty (~1:40) minutes.  Let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting for June 16

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/fe96a8ad-4355-46bd-af15-42220606715b

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Meeting agenda 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_6-16-2021.pdf

MAHT presentation doc

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06022021_maht_presentation_-_dpcd.pdf

Housing Production Plan

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/recap-economic-development-subcommittee.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

EDC discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses

Board of Health - Agenda - Apr 7, 2021 - 5 PM

1) Reading and Acceptance of March 3, 2021 meeting minutes

 

2) OLD BUSINESS

 

3) NEW BUSINESS

• COVID-19 2nddose vaccine clinic update
• Discuss Mass Homebound Vaccination Program 
• Discuss Metacomet Public Health Alliance 

 

Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

 

4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

 

5) ADJOURNMENT

Agenda doc and connection info = https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-4-7-21.pdf

 

Board of Health - Agenda - Apr 7, 2021 - 5 PM

 

"Vaccination of homebound residents set to begin"

Vaccination of 25,000 homebound residents set to begin 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER indicated on Thursday that he is interested in so-called vaccine passes that could be used for travel or to gain access to public venues, but he said he would prefer to see the federal government take the lead.

“It’s a conversation worth having for all kinds of reasons but I would rather have the feds give us a framework to begin with,” Baker said at a State House press conference. “Having 50 states doing 50 different things on this could get pretty complicated.” 

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/virus-notes-baker-shows-interest-in-vaccine-pass/

Gov Baker's press conference  https://youtu.be/iLPVNt7w7LU