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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Kathleen Ward as Caregiver Advisor

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:35:10 +0000

Kathleen Ward, LPN has recently been appointed as Caregiver Advisor at Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county.

In her new position as Caregiver Advisor in the Family Caregiver Support Program at OCES, Ms. Ward will conduct home visits with elders and their caregivers to assess caregivers’ support needs. She will provide one-on-one counseling and offer guidance should any additional resources be required, thereby ensuring that caregivers are taking care of themselves as well as elders.

Ms. Ward is a Licensed Practical Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She has more than 20 years of nursing experience. Most recently, she worked as a per diem nurse at The Cedars, an assisted living community in North Dartmouth. She has also served as a private hospice nurse. Prior to that, she was an operating room and surgical nurse at Morton Hospital in Taunton, MA for 15 years.

Ms. Ward is a past recipient of the “Tutor of the Year” award presented by the Taunton Literacy Council, where she was recognized for her volunteer work in the literacy program. She is a resident of Taunton.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is a private, non-profit corporation designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts:

Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Lou Avitabile as Congregate Coordinator

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:59:40 +0000

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving elders, their caregivers and families in 23 towns in the Plymouth county and Brockton areas, has appointed Lou Avitabile to the position of Congregate Coordinator.

Mr. Avitabile held the position of Family Caregiver Support Program Care Adviser in OCES’ Family Caregiver Support Program for two years prior to his appointment to Congregate Coordinator. His new role will include overseeing the senior residents who reside in the Marshfield, Stoughton and Bridgewater congregate housing units and ensuring that their needs are supported in order to remain living independently in the community.

Mr. Avitabile holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England College in Springfield, MA. He is a resident of Bridgewater.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts:
Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org
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Amy Diman Joins Old Colony Elder Services as Money Management Program Coordinator

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:54:41 +0000

Amy Diman, a resident of West Bridgewater, MA has joined Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) as the new Money Management Program Coordinator. OCES is the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving elders, their caregivers and families in 23 towns in the Plymouth County and Brockton areas.

In her new position as Money Management Program Coordinator, Mrs. Diman will assist elders in managing their household finances, which includes balancing their checkbook, developing a budget and paying bills. Mrs. Diman will also be responsible for training money management volunteers to work with elderly clients. Once the volunteers are trained, Mrs. Diman then becomes a liaison between the client, volunteer and OCES.

For three years previous to OCES, Mrs. Diman worked in Accounts Payable at a small construction company in West Bridgewater. Prior to that, she was employed at Putnam Investments for seven years. Mrs. Diman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science with a concentration in Finance from Bridgewater State College. In her free time, she volunteers as Treasurer for the Victoria E. Snelgrove Memorial Fund. She also volunteers at the Howard and Rose L. MacDonald Elementary Schools in West Bridgewater in the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program.

She is a native of East Bridgewater, MA.

Mass Association of REALTORS Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:21:42 +0000

Old Colony Elder Services Check Presentation

Old Colony Elder Services, the regional elder services agency headquartered in Brockton and serving 23 towns in the South Shore and Brockton area, has recently been awarded a $2,500 grant from the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS.

Old Colony Elder Services was nominated as a local non-profit to receive the grant by the Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS. The grant, which was awarded by the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS Charitable Foundation, will be put toward Old Colony Elder Services’ Emergency Fund which helps low-income seniors remain in their homes by helping them pay for fuel, medical transportation or utilities.

“We’d like to express our gratitude to the Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS for their nomination of our organization and to the Mass Association of REALTORS Charitable Foundation for awarding us with the $2,500 grant. It will go a long way towards helping seniors in crisis situations,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services.

Old Colony Elder Services Emergency Fund provides assistance to meet the needs of elders in crisis or emergency situations that threaten their health or living status and cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource. In other words, there is no other funding source or agency available to address the need identified.

DiGiorgi continued, “Through the generous support of companies and individuals, we can continue to provide critical services to elders in the Brockton, Plymouth and South Shore communities who are most at risk. Historically, almost half of all the Emergency Funds dispersed have assisted elders with fuel. We had a rough winter last year and we anticipate an even greater number of elders in need this winter.”

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Old Colony Elder Services Emergency Fund, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.

About the Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS®
The Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS (PASS) is a local chapter of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and is the second largest Association under the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS (MAR). Their membership consists of over 2,000 REALTOR members and over 70 Affiliate members and they serve 18 communities south of Boston. For more information, visit www.passrealtors.com.

About the Mass Association of REALTORS®
The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade association for licensed real estate practitioners and serves as the parent organization to the state’s 16 local REALTOR® associations. Since 1992, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS Charitable Foundation has provided assistance to needy individuals and the community – awarding more than $250,000 in grants to victims of natural disasters, financial assistance to Massachusetts-based non-profit organizations, home buyer counseling and shelter services. The association is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information, visit the website at www.marealtor.com.

Treasurer Steve Grossman, Representative Steve Walsh Keynote Mass Home Care’s 28th Annual Lunch

admin — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:59:15 +0000

On Monday, two prominent “Steves” will address a crowd of elder and disability rights advocates at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Mass Home Care Association. State Treasurer Steve Grossman will be talking about his new “financial literacy” initiative, and House Health Care Financing Chairman Rep. Steve Walsh will be talking about health care reform and global payments.

12 staff members from Old Colony Elder Services, the regional elder services agency headquartered in Brockton, including Executive Director Diana DiGiorgi and Assistant Executive Director Tim Valentine, will be among the 250+ expected guests at the Burlington Marriot hotel beginning at 11:30 AM.

Treasurer Grossman will speak first at 11:45 AM, and Chairman Walsh will speak after lunch around 1 pm.

Mass Home Care, which was founded in 1986, is one of the most visible statewide groups fighting for the rights of elderly and disabled individuals. Mass Home Care wrote the Equal Choice law, which was signed by Governor Mitt Romney in 2006. This law says that people on MassHealth have the right to be cared for in the ‘least restrictive setting” appropriate to their needs. Mass Home Care, and its members, is also responsible for securing hundreds of millions in state and federal funding to help keep people living at home; the 30 member agencies provided care management, coordination and monitoring of services for more than 64,000 individuals last year.

According to Mass Home Care, because of community-based programs, MassHealth’s use of nursing facility days has decreased by 29% since 2001; in 2011 this will save state taxpayers almost $600 million in institutional costs. Nursing facility care still comprises 64 percent of all long term care spending by MassHealth. The group says its goal is to reach the point where two-thirds of MassHealth funding goes into community care, where consumers want to be.

For more event details, contact: info@masshomecare.org, or call Mass Home Care at 978-502-3794.

Old Colony Elder Services Names Zirka Ferreira Depina as Supportive Housing Specialist

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:49:16 +0000

Old Colony Elder Services, one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) serving elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts, has recently named Zirka Ferreira Depina as Supportive Housing Specialist for the Healthy Living at Home Supportive Housing Program.

In her new position as Supportive Housing Specialist, Ms. Depina will assess and review the needs of elderly and disabled residents at Campello High Rise and refer them to appropriate community programs and services. She will plan and coordinate care conferences as well as structured social, educational and recreational programs for residents. Ms. Depina will also serve as a liaison between the Brockton Housing Authority and Old Colony Elder Services.

For three years previous to Old Colony Elder Services, Ms. Depina was a social worker at Brockton Adult Day Health Center where among her many responsibilities, she assessed client needs though intakes, individual and group counseling and provided referrals to available community services. Prior to that, Ms. Depina was a Housing Specialist at ABCD Programs, which is a homeless shelter, in Boston.

Ms. Depina holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Bridgewater State College. She is a resident of Brockton, MA and a native of Praia, Cape Verde.

“Zirka is knowledgeable and experienced and we’re delighted to have her on our talented team,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services.

About Old Colony Elder Services
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit corporations designated as Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Old Colony Elder Services offers a number of programs for seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

Old Colony Elder Services Donates Caregiving Books to 23 Local Libraries

admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:52:18 +0000

Old Colony Elder Services, an agency that serves elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers, recently donated caregiving books to the libraries in 23 towns the agency serves in the South Shore, Plymouth and Brockton areas.

The Family Caregiver Support Program at Old Colony Elder Services donated Quick Tips for Caregivers by Marion Karpinski, RN; New Times, New Challenges, Law and Advice for Savvy Seniors and Their Families by Kenney Hegland & Robert Fleming and To Survive Caregiving by Cheryl Woodson, MD. More than one title was donated to provide a greater choice for readers, especially with interlibrary loan available between the individual towns.

Through this donation, Old Colony Elder Services’ Family Caregiver Support Program celebrates the nation’s more than 65 million family caregivers and strives to build greater awareness of the Family Caregiver Support Program and all that it offers. The goal of the program is to help strengthen caregivers’ knowledge and their ability to provide care. One of the most effective ways of doing so is through the provision of educational materials.

According to Rochelle Sugarman, Family Caregiver Support Program Supervisor at Old Colony Elder Services, “The Family Caregiver Support Program is for anyone caring for an adult age 60 and older, grandparents and relative caregivers age 55 or over caring for children up to age 18, grandparents and relative caregivers age 55 or over caring for disabled adults age 19-59 and caregivers of adults of any age with Alzheimer’s disease. We are here to provide resources, answers, direction and/or emotional support.”

For more information about seminars or to speak with Rochelle Sugarman, call 508-584-1561 ext. 312 or email Rsugarman@oldcolonyelderservices.org.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

Old Colony Elder Services appoints Kelly Walsh as Geriatric Support Services Coordinator

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:42:07 +0000

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) which serves residents in 23 towns in the greater Brockton and Plymouth areas, has recently appointed Kelly Walsh as Geriatric Support Services Coordinator.

In her new role as Geriatric Support Services Coordinator, Ms. Walsh will assist elders in gaining and retaining their ability to live independently in their own homes. She will conduct home visits and assessments as well as coordinate the necessary long term support services that will help ensure that elders remain living safely and independently at home in the community. Ms. Walsh will also be responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the services provided and maintaining communication between nurses and the community resource coordinators.

Ms. Walsh recently graduated from Bridgewater State College and holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Her experience includes six years serving as a Sales Representative for Jordan’s Furniture in Avon.

Ms. Walsh is a native and resident of Brockton.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts:

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

Old Colony Elder Services’ Emergency Fund Appeal – Read more in The Patriot Ledger

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:41:34 +0000

Old Colony Elder Services, which provides home care services to people age 60 and older in many South Shore towns, needs help to keep its emergency fund going strong this year. Requests from elders for crisis assistance have increased.

Continue reading Sue Scheible’s article – http://bit.ly/f9JmAG

Old Colony Elder Services Needs Emergency Fund Sponsors

admin — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:39:38 +0000

Last year, through its Emergency Fund, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) helped 202 low-income seniors remain in their homes. These seniors ranged from 60 to 93 years old and most of their needs were fuel, medical transportation and utility bills. The number of elders needing emergency assistance has increased greatly this year and OCES is seeking sponsors.

OCES’ Emergency Fund provides assistance to meet the needs of elders in crisis or emergency situations that threaten their health or living status and cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource. In other words, there is no other funding source or agency available to address the need identified. These needs include fuel assistance; new stoves/oil burners; utility bill payments; short-term emergency shelter; medical transport; medications; air conditioners for individuals with breathing difficulties; hot water heaters; plumbing, food and more.

According to Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES, “It is through the generous donations of individuals and businesses that OCES is able to continue to provide critical services to elders in the community who are most at risk. As we begin a new year on the heels of ‘Blizzard 2010′ with a growing number of elders in crisis situations, please consider sponsoring our Emergency Fund.”

Examples of elders who have received assistance from OCES include:

A 75-year-old single female living alone in her own home on a fixed income whose hot water heater was leaking and needed to be replaced. She could not afford to pay for the entire replacement. The cost to replace the hot water heater was $900. She was only able to pay $300 towards the new heater. OCES’ Emergency Funds assisted her with the balance.

A 63-year-old female, living alone in her own home and suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathy, anxiety and depression and who has a history of stroke. She lives on fixed income and was in need of fuel. OCES’ Emergency Funds helped provide her with oil delivery.

An 80-year-old woman living with her spouse in their own home on a fixed income. They were in need of a furnace replacement, but did not have the funds to pay for it. They received funding assistance from two other resources to help cover the cost, but not the total amount. OCES’ Emergency Funds were used to help pay for the balance on a new furnace.

Historically, almost half of all the Emergency Funds dispersed have assisted elders with fuel/heating and plumbing.

Donations may be made to:

Old Colony Elder Services

144 Main Street

Brockton, MA 02301

Attn: Emergency Fund

Old Colony Elder Services provides a number of programs to assist seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. Although these programs are partially supported by government funding, the agency’s Emergency Fund, a fund specifically established to meet the needs of elders in crisis or emergency situations, is funded by individual and corporate sponsors.

For questions about the Emergency Fund, please contact Lucille Dallaire at

OCES (508) 584-1561.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman. The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts: