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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 1, 2022 Page 21 DIDOMENICO | FROM PAGE 5 ble Medicaid users throughout the Commonwealth can receive health care and medical services in their own homes or local communities. Alongside this investment, the bill appropriates $55M in state resources to support reimbursement rates for human and social service providers who have also been doing crucial work during the pandemic. To address the crisis of mental health care, the bill dedicates $10M to suicide prevention and intervention services, focused on staffi ng and other resources at crisis centers, and the establishment of a statewide 988 suicide prevention hotline. Other mental health funding: • $24M of the state’s ARPA funds allocated specifically for the creation of new behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment beds • $5M for the Department of Mental Health to expand clientele housing supports • $1.8M for mental health services for international evacuees resettled in the Commonwealth Education: In response to reports of staffing shortages in public schools, the supplemental budget includes a provision authorizing the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to issue emergency educator licenses until 180 days after the end of the public health emergency. For private special education schools operating under Chapter 766, the budget allocates $140M to fi ll immediate staffi ng needs. Other funding items of note: • $100M for a new Winter Road Recovery Assistance Program for cities and towns to repair potholes and roads and bridges worn down by adverse weather conditions. • $20M for Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funding, which ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ Everett Board of Health Regulation Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products On February 28, 2022, the Everett Board of Health voted to adopt a revised Regulation Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products with an effective date of March 1, 2022. The revised Regulation changes the definition of blunt wrap to “Any product made wholly or in part from a tobacco product manufactured or packaged with loose and removable leaves or sections of a leaf or as a hollow tube that may be used by the consumer to wrap or contain loose tobacco or other fillers”. For a copy of this updated Regulation, please contact the Everett Health Department (617) 394-2255. April 1, 2022 ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ CITY OF EVERETT BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSION 484 BROADWAY EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 617-944-0211 Public Hearing Monday, April 11, 2022 6:30 PM Everett City Hall 484 Broadway Room 27 Everett, MA Whereas an application has been presented by: Keshar LLC, d/b/a Elm Street Market for a Change of Location from 172 Elm Street, Everett to 178 Elm Street, Everett MA. All interested parties may attend. Phil Antonelli, Chairman Phil Arloro, Member Michael Dantone, Member April 1, 2022 supports no-cost counseling, advocacy, and intervention services to victims of crime, thereby covering the immediate needs of the Victim and Witness Assistance Board as they are experiencing a shortage of federal funding • $10M for Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) • $8.4M for Department of Children & Families foster family rates • $8M for Early Intervention staff stabilization supports • $5M for state election costs • $1.7M for state park investments, including water safety initiatives • $609,000 for additional staffi ng to implement the Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy legislation, which was passed early in the session • $500,000 to expand the capacity of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Say nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Get Help as an Elder Orphan Dear Savvy Senior, I need to fi nd someone honest and reliable to look after my estate, health and longterm care when I’m no longer able to do it myself. I’m a 67-year-old recent widow with no children and one sibling I rarely talk to. Any suggestions? Solo Ager Dear Solo, This is big concern for millions of older Americans who don’t have a spouse, children or other family they can depend on to watch out for their well-being. While there’s no one solution to this issue, here are some tips and resources that can help you plan ahead. Essential Documents If you haven’t already done so, your first step, before choosing a reliable decision maker, is to prepare a basic estate plan of at least four essential legal documents. This will protect yourself and make sure you’re wishes are carried out if you become seriously ill or when you die. These essential documents include: a “durable power of attorney” that allows you to designate someone to handle your fi nancial matters if you become incapacitated; an “advanced health care directive” that includes a “living will” that tells your doctor what kind of care you want to receive if you become incapacitated, and a “health care power of attorney,” which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to; and a “will” that spells out how you’d like your property and assets distributed after you die. It also requires you to designate an “executor” to ensure your wishes are carried out. To prepare these documents your best option is to hire an attorney, which can cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000. Or, if you are interested in a do-it-yourself plan, Quicken WillMaker & Trust 2022 ($199, Nolo.com) and LegalZoom.com ($179) are some top options. Choosing Decision Makers and Helpers Most people think first of naming a family member as their power of attorney for fi nances and health care, or executor of their will. If, however, you don’t have someone to fi ll those roles, you may want to ask a trusted friend or associate but be sure to choose someone that’s organized and younger than you who will likely be around after you’re gone. Also be aware that if your choice of power of attorney or executor lives in another state, you’ll need to check your state’s law to see if it imposes any special requirements. If, however, you don’t have a friend or relative you feel comfortable with, you’ll need to hire someone who has experience with such matters. To fi nd a qualifi ed power of attorney or executor for your will, contact your bank, a local trust company or an estate planning attorney. If you need help locating a pro, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA. org) is a great resource that provides online directory to help you find someone in your area. Another resource that can help you manage and oversee your health and longterm care needs as they arise, and even act as your health care power of attorney, is an aging life care manager. These are trained professionals in the area of geriatric care who often have backgrounds in nursing or social work. To search for an expert near you, visit AgingLifeCare.org. Or, if you need help with bill paying and other fi nancial/insurance/tax chores there are professional daily money managers (see AADMM.com) that can help. Aging life care managers typically charge between $75 and $200 per hour, while hourly rates for daily money managers range between $75 and $150. It’s also important to note that if you don’t complete the aforementioned legal documents and you become incapacitated, a court judge may appoint a guardian to make decisions on your behalf. That means the care you receive may be totally different from what you would have chosen for yourself. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior

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