Unleash the Power of The Press

Client News

Locally growing. Concord, MA’s Concord Nurseries opens farm stand on March 24.

Concord Nurseries George Chapman
Concord Nurseries’ Master Grower George Chapman

The recent recent record temperatures in the Boston area started spring for many local residents. While others tend to be more traditional and wait for March 20, some residents of the greater Concord, Mass. gauge the start of spring by the day Concord Nurseries opens their farm stand for business. This year, Concord Nurseries garden center at 864 Barretts Mill Road (near the Route 2 circle) opens on March 24th with their Pansy weekend promotion.

With more than three acres of greenhouse space—including 12 “small” greenhouses, 3,000 square feet each—Concord Nurseries grows an assortment of vegetables and herbs, annuals, perennials and hanging baskets at their Concord location and a new location at 22 Cranberry Highway in Rochester, Massachusetts.

“We’re chomping at the bit to get both stands up and running,” said Master Grower George Chapman, a commercial ornamental plant grower for the past 40 years. “The farming techniques we employ not only produce superior plants and vegetables, but do so in an environmentally friendlier way.”

In addition to being environmentally conscious, Concord Nurseries has another “growing advantage”. While many growers utilize the smaller standard 806 trays , Concord Nurseries grows their annual and vegetable packs in Jumbo six packs and 6” pots.. The larger trays and pots produce a larger finished product with a much larger rootball. The larger size enables you to achieve an instant landscape look with less planting labor, a better transplant rate and much faster growth for your “growing” success.

“There’s nothing more demoralizing than purchasing flowers or plants and then having them literally die on the vine,” said Chapman. “With the way we grow them, your success rate improves dramatically. And if you just want to eat the vegetables, they just plain taste better.”

In addition to using environmentally friendlier growing techniques, Concord Nurseries is also friendly to the local community. Both Concord Nurseries will again be donating a portion of their harvest to local food pantries.
The farm stand’s spring hours will be Tuesday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm, Fridays and Saturday, 9am to 6pm, and Sundays, 10am to 5pm.

Besides the farm stand being open to the general public to purchase delicious fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers, Concord Nurseries has a wholesale division to sell annuals, perennials and hanging plants to landscape professionals, businesses and other commercial accounts.

For complete information on Concord Nurseries, visit www.ConcordNurseriesCSA.com.

Concord Nurseries
Concord Nurseries s a local greenhouse grower of vegetables, vegetable plants flowers and ornamental plants with locations at 864 Barretts Mill Road in Concord, Massachusetts and 22 Cranberry Highway (Route 28) in Rochester, Massachusetts. Concord Nurseries offers a retail farm stand at both locations for consumers, as well as a wholesale division for commercial businesses.

The farm stand’s spring hours will be Tuesday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm, Fridays and Saturday, 9am to 6pm, and Sundays, 10am to 5pm.

For additional information, including sales and event info, please visit www.concordnurseriescsa.com or visit the Facebook pages for each location, www.Facebook.com/ConcordNurseriesCSA  for Concord and www.Facebook.com/ConcordNurseriesRochester for Rochester.

Locally growing. Concord, MA’s Concord Nurseries opens farm stand on March 24.Read More

Boston Podiatrist Makes “The List”

Boston Common Magazine Spring 2012

Boston Common Podiatry’s Dr. Jordana Szpiro has made Boston Common Magazine’s “The List”. View the Spring 2012 issue online, page 52.
“The List” recognizes people who are doing something unique and we really appreciate being honored by Boston Common Magazine.

Be sure to check out other media featuring Dr. Szpiro including Channel 5 Boston, Woman’sDay.com and EverydayHealth.com.

Boston Podiatrist Makes “The List”Read More

Locally growing. Concord Nurseries re-opens farm stand and garden center in Rochester.

Concord Nurseries Master Grower George Chapman
Concord Nurseries Master Grower George Chapman

ROCHESTER AND CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS…

For some, it’s the first day where the thermometer inches above 50 degrees. Others tend to be more traditional and wait for March 20. For residents of the greater Rochester, Mass, the start of spring could be the day Concord Nurseries opens their farm stand for business at their garden center at 22 Cranberry Highway (Route 28) on March 24th with their Pansy weekend promotion.

Technically, the re-opening is a grand opening for Concord Nurseries who took over the Route 28 location from a previous owner. With more than three acres of greenhouse space—including 12 “small” greenhouses, 3,000 square feet each—Concord Nurseries grows an assortment of vegetables and herbs, annuals, perennials and hanging baskets at the new Rochester location and a second location at 864 Barretts Mill Road in Concord, Massachusetts.

“We’re thrilled to open up the farm stand at our Rochester location,” said Master Grower George Chapman, a Falmouth resident and commercial ornamental plant grower for the past 40 years. “The farming techniques we employ not only produce superior plants and vegetables, but do so in an environmentally friendlier way.”

In addition to being environmentally conscious, Concord Nurseries has another “growing advantage”. While many growers utilize the smaller standard 806 trays , Concord Nurseries grows their annual and vegetable packs in Jumbo six packs and 6” pots.. The larger trays and pots produce a larger finished product with a much larger rootball. The larger size enables you to achieve an instant landscape look with less planting labor, a better transplant rate and much faster growth for your “growing” success.

“There’s nothing more demoralizing than purchasing flowers or plants and then having them literally die on the vine,” said Chapman. “With the way we grow ‘em, your success rate improves dramatically. And if you just want to eat the vegetables, they just plain taste better.”

As it has at its Concord location, Concord Nurseries also plans on donating a portion of its harvest to local food pantries.

The farm stand’s spring hours will be Tuesday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm, Fridays and Saturday, 9am to 6pm, and Sundays, 10am to 5pm.

Besides the farm stand being open to the general public to purchase delicious fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers, Concord Nurseries has a wholesale division to sell annuals, perennials and hanging plants to landscape professionals, businesses and other commercial accounts.

For complete information on Concord Nurseries, visit www.ConcordNurseriesCSA.com.

Concord Nurseries

Concord Nurseries s a local greenhouse grower of vegetables, vegetable plants flowers and ornamental plants with locations at 864 Barretts Mill Road in Concord, Massachusetts and 22 Cranberry Highway (Route 28) in Rochester, Massachusetts. Concord Nurseries offers a retail farm stand at both locations for consumers, as well as a wholesale division for commercial businesses.

The farm stand’s spring hours will be Tuesday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm, Fridays and Saturday, 9am to 6pm, and Sundays, 10am to 5pm.

For additional information, including sales and event info, please visit www.concordnurseriescsa.com or visit the Facebook pages for each location, www.Facebook.com/ConcordNurseriesCSA  for Concord and www.Facebook.com/ConcordNurseriesRochester for Rochester.

Locally growing. Concord Nurseries re-opens farm stand and garden center in Rochester.Read More

Just add water. How to simplify buying a lakefront home.

Lakefront LivingMANSFIELD, MA… 

Plunging real estate prices and Baby Boomers looking to downsize and simplify their lives are two trends that have led a number of prospective buyers toward purchasing a lakefront home. While the dream of living on a lake has become more tangible for many, so too are the potential for problems if you do not know what to look for and what to ask.

“When you see a home on a lake for sale suddenly in your price range, there’s a tendency to want to jump on it before somebody else buys the property. Nowadays, a lower asking price probably means it’s time to do a little homework before taking that proverbial leap,” said Scott Freerksen, owner of Lakefront Living Realty, a realtor in Mansfield, MA that only represents buyers and sellers of lakefront properties in all six New England states.

Freerksen recommends getting answers to the following questions before making any lakefront purchase:

  • Is the property serviced by an on-site septic system? If so, has the system passed state inspections? Be sure to get a copy of report.
  • If the property is serviced by town sewer, is there a betterment still to be paid? Who is paying it? What is the yearly cost of town sewer and water?
  • Does the property require flood insurance? If so, ask for a copy of the current policy and be sure to find out the cost per year.
  • Are there any easements associated with the property? Are the lake rights owned or shared? Be sure to obtain a current copy of deed.
  • What are the conditions of the shoreline in the summer? Depth? Weed count, type?
  • Are there any known defects in or around the property? Have the current homeowners completed any upgrades? Was the work permitted? Request copies from town departments.
  • Has the property been appraised recently? If so, when? Can you share how you arrived at the asking price? Ask for recent comparable sales.
  • Does the lake have an active Lake Association? If so, ask for updated contact information.
  • How is the lake water level controlled? Is it lowered in the winter? Is the water quality tested annually? Recent issues?
  • What recreational activities are allowed / not allowed on the lake? Ask for copy of Rules & Regulations.

“While knowing what to ask is important, deciphering that information and then being able to weigh that into your decision to pursue a property or not is even more critical,” adds Freerksen. “Not every realtor or buyer broker has experience with waterfront properties and that’s why you want to be sure you work with somebody who has, pun intended, sailed these waters before.”

Lakefront Living Realty specializes solely on the purchase and sale of pond and lakefront property in all six New England states. In addition to their lakefront expertise, the company offers a current and complete database of lakefront properties on their website that features only direct lakefront homes. All the “riverfront”, “oceanfront”, “across the street”, “within walking distance” homes are taken out of the site.

For more information on Lakefront Living Realty’s services, you can visit their website at www.lakefrontliving.com. Additionally, Scott Freerksen regularly holds seminars on the keys to buying and selling lakefront property. Please visit the company website or call 508-377-7167 for the date and time of the next seminar.

About Lakefront Living Realty, LLC

Based in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Lakefront Living Realty, LLC is a full service real estate brokerage specializing solely on the purchase and sale of pond and lakefront property in the six New England states. Owner Scott “The Lake Guy” Freerksen, a Real Estate Broker and Realtor, founded Lakefrontliving.com in 2003 as way to support his real estate practice and to bring to potential buyers and sellers a website that features direct lakefront homes. All the “riverfront”, “oceanfront”, “across the street”, “within walking distance” homes are taken out of the site.

Lakefront Living Realty has one mission: To passionately unite Buyers and Sellers of lakefront property. For complete information, please visit www.lakefrontliving.com or call Scott at 508-377-7167.

Just add water. How to simplify buying a lakefront home.Read More

Public encouraged to catch the tide for New Burial at Sea Amendment

State Rep. James M. Cantwell (D-Marshfield) is striving to change the law which requires funeral directors to store unclaimed cremated remains left by families , indefinitely, or take on the cost of interring them in a mass grave. Rep. Cantwell proposes giving funeral directors the option of burial at sea, which would provide a less costly, dignified and respectful burial ceremony for unclaimed departed loved ones.

Captain Brad White, founder of New England Burials at Sea LLC (NEBAS) headquartered in Marshfield, recently testified at the State House with Rep. Cantwell in a hearing that was meant to educate the Committee on the need to amend the existing 2008 law to allow funeral directors a legal means to dispose of abandoned cremated remains, by simply including the three words, “or at sea.”

According to Capt. White, “The way the law reads now, funeral directors must either store unclaimed cremated remains or bury them in an undignified mass grave at a cost absorbed by the funeral home. As a result, many Massachusetts funeral homes have dozens or more unclaimed remains. Many people either simply don’t want or are not comfortable picking up the cremated remains of their loved ones.”

White continued, “Burial at sea is an easy, low-cost and dignified solution for left-behind ashes by the families for the funeral homes. A burial at sea is approved and paid for by the family or funeral home and not by any state or tax payer dollars.”

White also urged the public to contact their State Representative, State Senator as well as the Joint Committee on Public Health, chaired by Senator Susan Fargo and Representative Jeffrey Sanchez at the State House on Beacon Hill to encourage them pass this bill well before the March 21, 2012 final hearing.

White added, “This bill could again be a Massachusetts precedent for national change similar to many public interest laws that MA has recently enacted. This legislation could impact approximately 7,500 Massachusetts families and circumstances are similar in most other states as well.”

The cost of interment with all the proper permits can be as much as $900 per plot which is currently paid out of a funeral director’s pocket. Under the current law, this is the only option. Burials at sea can cost less than half that amount and are approved and paid for by the family.

Norwell Attorney Christian Haufler, Jr., J.D. explained, “Essentially, burial at sea or in the earth burials fulfill the legal and fiduciary requirement of the executor of a will and will bring proper closure to the family.”

Capt. White is the pioneer of augmenting the law to encourage ethical, dignified, legal and a financially feasible way for family members or funeral directors to obtain closure and complete the obligation to the deceased. Cremated remains are gently scattered in the sea following a private service with music, flowers and a beautiful prayer whether the event is attended or unattended by families and friends. The service is photo-journaled and registered with the EPA as required by law.

The amendment of the law is now under advisement. If accepted by Mid March 2012, it will go to the floor for a vote on or before July 2012.

In his experience, Capt. White has found that some families who have opted for burial at sea services did so partly because it is far more affordable than a traditional burial. Families who aren’t aware of all of their burial options may end up leaving their family member’s cremated remains at the funeral home instead.

White added that a recent client family told him, “My father passed away three years ago. It was during tough economic times for us. We wanted to honor him but just could not afford a traditional funeral and cemetery. We decided on the burial at sea. The ceremony was respectful and beautiful. Dad would have loved it.”

NEBAS is the best known company in the U.S. for sea burials. NEBAS burials at sea are legal, meet and exceed USCG and EPA regulations and the events are easy to plan. NEBAS handles all licensing, required permits and filings with the EPA.

About NEBAS

New England Burials At Sea LLC, (NEBAS) offers burial at sea scatterings and eco-friendly full body sea burials, serving families from Maine to Florida and on the West Coast for groups up to 400 people since 2006. They are recognized by the EPA, US Navy, U.S.C.G. and many area funeral homes and crematories. Scatterings are also offered via vintage Airplanes in the Northeast from New Jersey to Maine and the company is also the exclusive distributor / operator for the Great Burial Reef® living ocean reef system (designed for cremated remains) from Virginia north to New England. NEBAS also created, designed and manufactures the Atlantic Sea Burial Shroud® for full body burials at sea.

For more information or images, visit http://www.newenglandburialsatsea.com, call New England Burials At Sea, Capt. Brad White toll free at (877) 897-7700 or direct (781) 834-7500, email OceanBurial@aol.com.

For high resolution “Burial At Sea image” downloads, visit: http://tinyurl.com/87lovs5, For high resolution “Vessel image” downloads, visit: http://tinyurl.com/7bunbll.

©2005-2012 New England Burials at Sea LLC, All rights reserved. Patents pending.

Public encouraged to catch the tide for New Burial at Sea AmendmentRead More

HR Knowledge Inc. Advises Small Business Owners to Brush Up on the Law

Jeffrey Garr

Employees today are well aware of their rights in the workplace. As a small business owner, are you aware of their rights? HR Knowledge, Inc., providers of integrated HR, payroll and benefits services serving organizations throughout the Northeast with offices located in the Boston metro area, advises small businesses of the importance of knowing employee rights and offers three tips for getting “in the know”.

According to Jeffrey C. Garr, CEO of HR Knowledge Inc., “Employers are not always knowledgeable of their employees’ rights. We find this to be more common in small business. As a matter of fact I just learned of an employer that requires their employees sign an agreement at hire that they cannot take a lunch break or coffee break at any time during the day. They must work their full eight hours daily without any breaks. This is in clear violation of the law, namely that those employees are allowed a minimum of two 10 minute breaks every four hours worked. ”

He continued,”Most employers are good employers; it is the few that treat their employees terribly that affect the rest of us. Nonetheless laws are laws.”

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) is the state’s Chief Civil Rights Agency. Essentially, this government body ensures that all businesses within the State of MA are compliant in their employment of employees. Any employee who feels they have been discriminated against may file a “Charge” or a “Complaint” against that employer at MCAD. Most all complaints must be filed within 300 days of the alleged infraction.

Unfortunately, what small business owners don’t know can hurt them when it comes to employment laws and regulations. Ignorance is not bliss nor is it accepted as an excuse when in violation of the law. If you are caught not following process/procedure/law it can be costly. It is imperative to have the proper “blocking and tackling” in place as an employer to prevent frivolous lawsuits from occurring.

There are attorneys who would be thrilled to take on a case where employee rights have been violated. They take the case on “contingency” which means the employee has legal representation at no cost to them. The attorney is confident enough in the case that he/she will represent the employee on a percentage of the settlement. The employer has to pay for their own legal representation, which can cost thousands of dollars and settlements can be in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Garr offers 3 key tips to small business owners:

Obtain proper training. Business owners and any staff that supervises employees should be enrolled in an HR training program. The program should teach key components of effective management of employees and employee rights.

Obtain an HR Audit for your small business. A complete and thorough HR Audit will identify where an employer is not compliant or is at risk. This audit should review your employee handbook, process, procedures for hiring, firing, interviewing, reviews, job descriptions and much more.

Consider Employment Practice Liability Insurance. This is the only liability insurance that will protect an employer from lawsuits in the workplace as discussed in this article. Without this insurance the employer stands alone in claims made against them.

About HR Knowledge, Inc.

HR Knowledge, Inc. is a leading Business Process Outsourcer (BPO) serving emerging to mid-sized companies throughout the Northeast. HR Knowledge has the experience and technology to efficiently provide best-in-class integrated HR services at an affordable cost to clients. HR Knowledge’s leaders have more than 100 years of combined experience and provide expert guidance in Human Resource management, Group Benefits Brokerage, Payroll Processing & Managed Services, Financial Services and Recruiting and Hiring Process Management (HPM). Through their comprehensive Human Resource Services, HR Knowledge helps organizations minimize operational risks, reduce administrative costs and better serve their people.

HR Knowledge has been recognized as a Gold Level Broker by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. The company is headquartered at 905B South Main Street, Suite 203 in Mansfield and their second office is located at 890 Winter Street, Suite 208 in Waltham, MA. For more information, contact (508) 339-1300 or visit their website at www.hrknowledge.com

HR Knowledge Inc. Advises Small Business Owners to Brush Up on the LawRead More

Old Colony Elder Services to Hold “It’s About Time” Program for Caregivers on March 22 at Plymouth COA

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, will hold their second “It’s About Time” free workshop for caregivers on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plymouth Council on Aging, 10 Cordage Park in Plymouth. (In the event of snow, the workshop will be rescheduled to March 29th.)

The workshop will teach caregivers techniques and strategies for managing time and reducing stress. The topics and class leaders are:
Meal preparation with Claudia Denelle of That’s Tasty!
Time Management with Sharon Fisher of Come to Order
Relaxation Techniques with Dee Lyon of Real Life Yoga
“The ‘It’s About Time’ workshops teach strategies which help caregivers avoid burnout and remain physically and emotionally healthy while they provide essential care-giving services,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

The ‘It’s About Time’ workshop is offered in partnership with the Plymouth Council on Aging. OCES received a generous grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation to help fund this program.

Attendees will receive lunch and a companion book for the yoga program. Class size is limited so pre-registration is required. Respite care is available upon request.

Caregivers may register for the workshop by contacting Rochelle Sugarman at OCES (508) 584-1561 ext 312.

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 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. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services to Hold “It’s About Time” Program for Caregivers on March 22 at Plymouth COARead More

Mass Bay Spine & Sport Physical Therapy Staff Laces Up for St. Patrick’s Day 5K Road Race

The staff of Mass Bay Spine & Sport Physical Therapy (MBSSPT) will kick up their heels, literally, on St. Patrick’s Day as they participate in second annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K Road Race in Marshfield on Saturday, March 17, 2012.

MBSSPT, a state-of-the-art orthopedic outpatient physical therapy practice based in Marshfield, has formed a team to run in the 5K Road Race which benefits the Marshfield Education Foundation.

The race begins at 10 a.m. at the Venus II restaurant located at 277 Ocean Street.

“We have quite a few runners on staff. The weather has been mild so it has made training for the race a little easier than it normally would be. We’re all excited to put our best foot forward for this very worthy cause,”noted Brendan Carman, MPT, ATC, Director of Rehabilitation, who is the team’s captain.

The staff also ran as a team last November in the Kingston Turkey Trot, which raised funds to promote the awareness of ovarian cancer.

For more information about the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Road Race, visit http://www.marshfieldstpatricksday5k.com/.

About MBSSPT

Mass Bay Spine & Sport Physical Therapy (MBSSPT) is an orthopedic outpatient physical therapy practice. MBSSPT, a state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by a physical therapist, has earned a reputation for superior clinical care and delivery of services to South Shore community members as well as physicians from Boston to Plymouth.

The practice’s highly trained staff is committed to providing clients with an experience that will ensure their condition is resolved effectively and efficiently, while empowering them with the necessary tools and knowledge to prevent future problems and maintain optimal health. All of the practice’s physical therapists are trained to rehabilitate a variety of conditions utilizing treatment techniques that include soft tissue massage/mobilization, therapeutic and strengthening exercises, neuromuscular reeducation, gait training, patient education, and lumbar stabilization, to name a few. MBSSPT accepts Medicare, Workers’ Compensation, auto insurance, and most private insurance plans.

Mass Bay Spine & Sport Physical Therapy is located at 506 Plain Street in Marshfield. For more information, visit www.massbayspineandsport.com or call (781) 319-0024.

Mass Bay Spine & Sport Physical Therapy Staff Laces Up for St. Patrick’s Day 5K Road RaceRead More

A Second Home Care Wait List Starts Today – 1,100 seniors already waiting

As if 1,100 elders on the Enhanced Community Options Program (ECOP) wait list were not bad enough, Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) were officially notified that a second wait list will be imposed beginning today.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) and 26 other ASAPs (non-profit agencies designated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts to coordinate and provide the home care programs for elders) have been notified by the state that another home care wait list for basic services will begin March 1st. The cutback had been anticipated for some time.

This home care basic wait list comes on top of an existing wait list of 1,100 elders who need a higher level of support through the ECOP, which is a program for elders who are eligible for nursing home care, but can be helped to live at home. The new wait list is also on the heels of the FY13 budget proposed by Governor Deval Patrick which will cut 242,000 meals for elders.

According to an instruction released today by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, elders with limited formal/informal supports and a critical unmet need of grocery shopping, along with elders who have a critical unmet need of meal preparation will not get into the home care program.

For OCES, the Brockton-based regional elder services agency serving seniors their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, this latest cutback means an estimated 60 more elders will not receive services this year.

According to Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ executive director, “OCES already has 47 elders on its ECOP wait list. In addition, the loss of funding in the meals program would mean that 12,000 fewer meals are delivered across our 23 communities next year.”

In January, the state estimated that it would cost $3.8 million additional in FY2012 to end the ECOP wait list. The basic home care program is currently $1.4 million in deficiency. By June of 2012, it is estimated that almost 1,200 elders will be on the basic home care wait list. That means 2,500 seniors could be waiting for home care and ECOP services by the close of this fiscal year.

Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care, said “Community based services like home care are saving state and federal taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Compared to 2001, the state has saved 3.6 million Medicaid-funded patient days in nursing homes, as more elders are diverted home instead.”

The Commonwealth has avoided an estimated $592 million this year through lowered institutional utilization. “This is the ‘home care dividend’ that should be invested back in community care,” Norman said.

There is no waiting list for nursing facility care in Massachusetts; in fact there is a 13% vacancy rate in nursing facilities. Adjusted for inflation, the state home care program has lost $23 million in funding since 2009, according to the Mass Budget & Policy Center.

“If we are squeezing down the home care program today, what are we going to say to the baby boomers when they need care in the future?” Norman asked. Today in Massachusetts, one in four households (653,103 households) has someone over the age of 65. 19% of the state’s population is over 60—and seniors are the fastest growing age group over the next twenty years.

“The Administration likes to say we are a ‘Community First’ state,” Norman concluded. “With these cuts, it looks like a ‘Wait First’ state.”

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 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. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

A Second Home Care Wait List Starts Today – 1,100 seniors already waitingRead More