Greater Brockton Community Health Network Area (CHNA) has recently awarded a $3,000 grant to Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency.
The grant will be used to help fund the My Life, My Health Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) for the 10 communities served by CHNA.
The My Life, My Health CDSMP is a community workshop designed to give seniors and others with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, etc.) and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their health care. It is facilitated by OCES staff members who are certified leaders of the program.
Three programs in English and three programs in Spanish will be offered to seniors residing in Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. There are five English speaking trained program leaders and two Spanish speaking trained leaders. (Additional Spanish speaking volunteers who would like to become trained leaders are needed.)
According to Dorothy Slack, who is a certified leader of CDSMP, “We would like to thank Greater Brockton CHNA for their generous grant which will enable us to run this essential program. We’re really excited to offer the program in both English and Spanish. The grant will help pay for program supplies, books and lunch for attendees.”
Each program runs for six consecutive weeks. The first Spanish speaking session will be held at the Neighborhood Health Center in Brockton on September 14th. The first English speaking session will be held at the Abington Council on Aging in Abington on Tuesday, September 20th.
“It is through the generous support of organizations and individuals that we can continue to provide programs that better enable elders to remain independent and living in their own homes throughout the 23 communities we serve,” said Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.
About Greater Brockton CHNA
Greater Brockton Community Health Network Area (CHNA) was established in 1992 by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It is a local coalition of public, non-profit, and private sectors working together to build healthier communities in Massachusetts through community-based prevention planning and health promotion. It is in the mission of the Greater Brockton CHNA to use funding to support local programs and initiatives that meet the CHNA’s guiding principles. The Greater Brockton CHNA serves the communities of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. For more information, visit the website at www.preventionworks.org.
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.
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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