Today's Health Topic Season of receiving: Use free services to stay independent The holidays are a time of giving, but they're also a time to put yourself on the receiving list and assess whether you should be taking advantage of free health-related services offered by nonprofit organizations. Services are widely available, often regardless of income. But you might not know they exist. "Most older adults aren't introduced to support services until they're hospitalized or they work with a case manager or social worker," explains Barbara Moscowitz, a geriatric social worker at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. "You don't have to wait for such an event." What's available On the local level, you can often find free or low-cost dental clinics, emotional support groups, meal or grocery delivery services, transportation, in-home health evaluations, exercise classes, health education classes, home evaluations for fall prevention, companion programs, caregiver respite services, or programs to help you navigate difficult chronic health conditions and their treatment. On the state or national level, there are nonprofits that provide older adults with free or low-cost prescription medications, hearing aids, and gently used home medical equipment. Read more »

Aging in Place Featured content: • What does it mean to age in place? • Planning for your future • Stay healthy to stay independent • Build social connections • SPECIAL SECTION: Adapting your home •  ... and more! Click here to read more »