Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, joined over forty other community agencies and businesses to support the 5th annual “Brockton Knocks Down Diabetes” (BKDD) week, June 11 to 18, 2016.
The weeklong program, which had 858 participants, was geared towards raising awareness of the prevalence of diabetes in the community. Travelling with an “event passport”, participants were able to attend any or all of 24 different events during the week, which included workshops focused on fitness, cooking demonstrations, screenings, and informational breakout sessions.
OCES kicked off BKDD week by sharing information about their Nutrition and Healthy Living programs with visitors at their information table at the Health and Wellness Expo held June 11th at the Shaw’s Center in Brockton. OCES’ BKDD team included Chris McLaren, Donna-Marie Forand, Chrisline Denis and Barbara Nalen-Cardosa, of OCES’ Healthy Living and Nutrition programs.
OCES, in partnership with Brockton Council on Aging, presented a free “Meal Planning for Diabetes” workshop on June 17th led by Donna-Marie Forand, Outreach and Education Specialist at OCES, and Dottie Slack, Health Education/Outreach Coordinator at Brockton COA.
On June 18th the closing event was the Family Fun Walk and Field Day at Campanelli Stadium. Walkers received free admission to the Brockton Rox baseball game at noon that day and also had the chance to participate in family games and enjoy multiple activities.
“Data shows that the greater Brockton area has higher incidence of diabetes than the rest of Massachusetts,” said Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director. “But armed with good information about nutrition, how to make healthy lifestyle choices, learning your level of risk and taking steps to prevent this disease, our consumers can live longer and healthier.”
A post-event survey revealed that the number one reason for participation in BKDD week was prevention and early detection, second was managing the disease, and third was to support a family member with diabetes. Eighty-seven percent of those surveyed feel more confident that they can prevent and/or control diabetes.
To learn more about OCES’ Healthy Living and Nutrition Program, visit www.ocesma.org.
About BKDD
Brockton Knocks Down Diabetes (BKDD) is a coalition co-founded by HarborOne Bank in 2011, in collaboration with over 40 area organizations, including OCES, to address the critical diabetes epidemic within the greater Brockton community. To learn more about BKDD, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BrocktonKnocksDownDiabetes.
About OCES
Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 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.ocesma.org.
Follow Us!