1. Options Counseling Program Survey Results July 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 Commonwealth of Massachusetts E xecutive O ffice of E lder A ffairs Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

2. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 2 Survey Topics  Surveys Received  Respondent Identity  Setting/Location  Moving Forward  Counselor Empathy and Service Provision  Next Steps  Resource Efficiency  Barriers  Informed Decisions  Comments

3. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 3 Surveys Received

4. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 4 Respondent Identity

5. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 5 Setting / Location Question 1 & Question 2  Setting or location at the onset of counseling and at the time of survey completion.

6. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 6 Moving Forward Question 3 & Question 3a

7. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 7 Counselor Empathy Question 4

8. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 8 Service Provision Question 5

9. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 9 Next Steps Question 6

10. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 10 Resource Efficiency Question 7

11. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 11 Barriers Question 8

12. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 12 Informed Decisions Question 9

13. Executive Office of Elder Affairs 13 COMMENTS  After meeting with my counselor I became aware of the services available that offer me a better quality of life. I am so pleased that getting older doesn't need to be so fearful. There are people who care. Thank you.  The services provided were limited. I had to call twice to get information. I am disappointed that there was no "follow up" to those who do not qualify for services.  The Options Counselor needed to work with the reluctant caregiver more. Caregivers who are not invested in helping their family member, and are willing to let them go to a shelter, shouldn’t be relied on to do the work needed to find them housing, or get them benefits.  The counselor informed me of a once a week program that I was seeking and not the everyday or several time a week services that other agencies did not know about or did not inform me about. I am very grateful to her.

14. Contact Information: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs Rachel Weiner Director Options Counseling Program 617-222-7478 Rachel.Weiner@state.ma.us Thank You