senior resources

$110 Million Federal Grant Will Increase Community First Options For Older Adults and People with Disabilities

A $110.6 million grant has been awarded from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) expand and enhance the Commonwealth’s community-based long term services and supports system for elders and individuals with disabilities. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities, is pleased with this news because the much needed funding will help ensure long-term home care needs will be addressed.

The grant award comes from CMS’s Balancing Incentive Program (BIP), a part of the Affordable Care Act, which provides enhanced federal funds to states that enrich their long-term care system. States participating in BIP are required to spend at least 50 percent of their federal funding on non-institutional community-based, Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) by September 2015.

According to Mass Home Care, the Community First/Olmstead Plan of 2007 established a road map that has been guiding the development of increased access to person-centered information and self-directed services for people in need of LTSS. BIP provides another major opportunity toward full access for all populations in need of LTSS.

“We applaud the Administration for expanding its Community First effort, while at the same time, increasing federal matching funds to the state,” said Mass Home Care Executive Director Al Norman. “Elders want a chance to live out their days at home. BIP will provide more funding to honor that desire.”

“This funding is of great significance as it will support the dignity and independence of elders and people with disabilities by helping them receive essential services to maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services.

Per Mass Home Care, the Governor’s FY’15 budget proposal also includes a $16.9 million expansion of the Commonwealth’s Home Care Program and $1.3 million to expand the Supportive Housing Program from 31 to 41 sites, to allow public housing residents to age in place in an “assisted-living” environment. Over the last decade, Massachusetts has demonstrated a 62 percent increase in length of stay in Elder Affairs Community First programs, helping eliminate or delay long-term facility placement for thousands of residents.

“This funding is an affirmation of our commitment to making community-based services a reality for our most vulnerable residents. I thank the Obama Administration for their partnership in providing our seniors and individuals with disabilities the support they need to live comfortably,” said Governor Deval Patrick in a Mass Home Care press release.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 173 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

Old Colony Elder Services Celebrates Cape Verde Independence Day with Luncheon

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county areas, recently held a luncheon at Campello High Rise, one of the Supportive Housing sites in Brockton, celebrating Independence Day for both the United States and Cape Verde.

The Independence Day celebration luncheon was part of OCES’ Supportive Housing Program, which provides supportive services to senior and disabled residents at Campello High Rise. OCES’ Supportive Housing Program enables them to live longer in the community and prevents premature institutionalization.

For the third consecutive year, the residents celebrated the Independence Day of two nations with a luncheon featuring Cape Verdean and American food, music and dancing. More than 40 people were in attendance.

The luncheon event was one of Supportive Housing’s structured social, educational and recreational programs for residents. These programs are incorporated following a resident needs assessment and as indicated through the provision of care management. They are meant to encourage and build a community atmosphere among the residents.

“The Supportive Housing Program is a win-win and the recent Independence Day celebration luncheon was just one example of its success. We’ve had a good response from residents and they are very comfortable with the program,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 171 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Receives Generous Grant from Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Coalition and the Administration on Aging

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, has been awarded the Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Grant of $10,000.

OCES’ Family Caregiver Support Program was one of 10 recipients of a $100,000 grant funded through the Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Coalition and the Administration on Aging. The Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Grant enables OCES to provide much needed, quality respite support to family caregivers, including spouses, adult children caring for parents and grandparents caring for grandchildren.

Respite services provide family caregivers a needed break from their ongoing responsibilities. Services are customized to provide quality individualized respite options that will meet each caregiver’s needs. For example, one week of Adult Day Health Care can be provided for a caregiver’s parent suffering from Alzheimer’s; one week of camp can be provided for a caregiver’s grandchild.

This essential grant helps local family caregivers who aren’t eligible to receive public funding assistance and who could not otherwise afford respite care for their loved ones.

About OCES

Tufts Health Plan Foundation Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services For Caregiver Workshops

For the third consecutive year, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, has been awarded a generous grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

The $6,054 grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation will fund OCES’ successful “It’s About Time” free workshops for caregivers. The workshops teach caregivers techniques and strategies for managing time and reducing stress. Topics typically covered in the workshops inculde meal preparation, time management and relaxation techniques.

“The ‘It’s About Time’ workshops teach caregivers the much-needed strategies which help them to avoid burnout and remain physically and emotionally healthy while they provide essential care-giving services. We are very fortunate to receive the grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

About OCES

The agency has 169 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services new pet food grant helps elders

Read this great article by Sue Scheible of The Patriot Ledger:
A GOOD AGE: Helping elders feed their pets as well as themselves
http://www.patriotledger.com/lifestyle/50_plus/x997482083/A-GOOD-AGE-Elders-pets-get-help-from-distant-benefactor