Terms like seniors, elderly, the aged, aging dependents, old-old, young-old, and similar “othering” terms connote a stereotype, avoid using them. Terms such as older persons, older people, older adults, older patients, older individuals, persons 65 years and older, or the older population are preferred.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers anyone to be a senior who is 60 years of age or older. Some states have varied ages (55, 62 or 65 for example), but 60 is the age for Massachusetts.
The National Institute on Aging generally describes older adults as people age 65 or older, however, definitions of older adulthood vary.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an “older adult” as someone at least 60 years of age,2 while the National Institute on Aging uses 65 years of age.
60 years and older or under 60 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and in need of respite services. Consumers must be living at home in Massachusetts and not in an institutional setting or Assisted Living Residence. MassHealth members are financially eligible.
Elder and older are both adjectives that mean "more advanced in age." Older can be used of people and things ('an older sibling;' 'an older house'), but elder can only be used of people ('the elder son'). Additionally, elder can be used as a noun ('respect your elders').
“Elder” is also used as an adjective to call a brother or sister older than a person, e. g. “He is my elder brother.” “The elderly” means a general group of people of advanced age. “Elderly” is also used as a polite adjective for “old” relatives, e. g. “He is nearly 50; he has elderly parents”.
Crimes against the elderly Requires any adult child, who has “sufficient means,” to provide support and maintenance for a parent, if the parent, “through misfortune and without fault of his own, is destitute,” is unable to support and maintain his or herself, and is living in the state of Massachusetts.
To be eligible for the HCBS waiver, persons must be financially qualified for MassHealth Medicaid. The 2024 income limit is $2,829 per month for an individual.
MassHealth members are financially eligible. Income guidelines require Annual Gross Income less than $2,829.00/month or $33,948.00/year in calendar year 2024.