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Seniors at Stoughton Adult Day Health Complete Digital Literacy Course with OCES Traveling Computer Lab

From Left to right: Euclides Semedo (Instructor); Martha Monteiro; Maria D. Goncalves; Maria M. Goncalves; Maria Teixeira; Maria Gomes; Paula Silva; Manuel Da Luz Veiga; Jose Cabral; Domingos Da Rosa; Armindo Rocha (OCES Program Manager)

STOUGHTON, MA… Nine older adults at Stoughton Adult Day Health recently celebrated completing a six-week basic computer skills course through the “Traveling Computer Lab – Digital Literacy for Older Adults” program. Offered by Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the program aims to bridge the digital divide and equip seniors with essential technology skills for greater confidence and independence.
 
The digital literacy course, tailored specifically for adults aged 60 and older, provides in-person, hands-on instruction with the goal of enhancing independence, social connectivity, and access to vital online resources. Over the span of six weeks, participants attended a total of eight engaging sessions held at their familiar community setting.
 
During the course, the group gained confidence using laptops. Core topics covered the basics of computer use, along with using Microsoft Windows to improve typing skills and learning how to navigate the internet.
 
“The class was really helpful—most older adults were hesitant to use computers before, but they feel more comfortable now,” said Armindo Rocha, Volunteer Programs Manager at OCES.
 
The Traveling Computer Lab is a mobile program that rotates monthly to new sites across the region, bringing digital literacy training directly to older adults in Councils on Aging, senior centers, and housing communities. By providing all necessary equipment, including laptops, Wi-Fi, and printed materials. The program removes common barriers to access and ensures participants receive personalized, step-by-step guidance at their own pace.
 
Through this initiative, OCES is not only teaching older adults how to use technology, but also fostering greater confidence, social connection, and safety in the digital world.
 
For more information about the Traveling Computer Lab or other services offered by OCES, visit ocesma.org or call (508) 584-1561.
 
About OCES
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth BusinessMarketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 50 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. 
 
Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org.

Getting authentic answers from Artificial Intelligence. Seminar at Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce reveals AI Query Engineering for business users.

Business users know that they could be doing so much more with AI.  They just don’t know how to ask the right questions to maximize the new tool.

The upcoming seminar on AI Query Engineering is setThursday,September 25, 9-10:30 a.m. and will be held at the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, located in the Plymouth Industrial Park at 100 Armstrong Road, Suite 204, Plymouth MA 02360.

The seminar will be led by Steve Dubin, PR Works, Public Relations / Marketing and Helene Kelly, Clay Communications and Marketing, who use AI daily for a wide range of business tasks. Kelly has an advanced certification from MIT on AI.

Attendees will learn –

  • How to use context, tone, format and clarity.
  • Go deeper. Strategy, insights, trends.
  • Expanding answers to increase value.
  •  

Cost is $19 per person. RSVP to https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/8rhf3nz

Or contact Steve Dubin, SDubin@PRWorkZone.com, (781) 582-1061.

OCES Honors Dedicated Community Programs Director as she Retires

BROCKTON, PLYMOUTH, AND TAUNTON, MA… 

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, honored Brenda Carrens, Community Programs Director, as she retired after 20 years at OCES.

Brenda Carrens
Brenda Carrens

Carrens has been instrumental in the growth and success of OCES. During her OCES career, Carrens worked with the Greater Plymouth County’s Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), Family Caregiver Support, Healthy Living, Money Management, Development, and Volunteer programs. Most recently, Carrens was the Community Programs Director overseeing Nutrition, Volunteer, Healthy Living, and Family Caregiver Support operations as well as the supervisors and managers of those programs.

Dedicated to helping others and giving back, Carrens is a lifelong volunteer for schools and other charities. She is a Metro South Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, and a volunteer for OCES’ Money Management and Meals on Wheels programs. Carrens previously served on the Cancer Care Community Advisory Board (CABbies) a volunteer fundraising group that supported cancer patients.

“Brenda has made a tremendous impact on many individuals and families through her tireless efforts, leadership and dedication to OCES and the community over the past 20 years,” said Nicole Long, CEO of OCES. “Congratulations Brenda! OCES will miss you and we wish you all the best in your retirement!”

Carrens has been a resident of Taunton, MA for 25 years.

About OCES
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 51 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. 

Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org

Behavioral Concepts New Learning Center Now Open in Lawrence, MA

No Waitlist and Flexible Hours for Essex County Area Families

Left to right: Francisco Paulino, State Representative; Marina Acosta, District Director, State Senator Pavel Payano; Michael Bevilacqua, President and CEO of Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce; Ana Levy, Councilor at Large, City of Lawrence; Brian A. DePena, Mayor, City of Lawrence; Meghan Van Nostrand, Senior Regional Clinical Director, BCI; Allison Ratte, Managing Behavior Analyst, BCI; Laura Squiccimara, Center Director, BCI; Christine Richter, Center Director, BCI; Shayna Fantini, Managing Behavior Analyst, BCI.

LAWRENCE, MA… Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a provider of LEARN Behavioral, has recently opened the doors of their new Learning Center at 360 Merrimack Street, Suite 132, Lawrence, MA 01843. 

BCI is Lawrence’s premiere contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) provider of 
center-based autism services for children ages 2-6 years. The new Lawrence Learning Center provides parent education, diagnostics, Early Intervention, center-based ABA therapy, and in-home ABA therapy. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce was held on June 23, 2025. During the ceremony, Ana Levy, Councilor at Large, City of Lawrence, offered greetings and remarks. State Representative Francisco Paulino, Mayor Brian A. DePeña, Michael Bevilacqua, President/CEO of Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, and District Director Marina Acosta from Senator Pavel Payano’s office attended, along with a number of city council members, school committee members, and Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce members.

Official citations were presented to the BCI leadership team by Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Michael Bevilacqua and Chairman Michael Sullivan, the Lawrence City Council representatives, and the City of Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePena.

Ribbon-cutting attendees had an opportunity to tour the facility and meet BCI’s leadership team, Meghan Van Nostrand, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D, Senior Regional Clinical Director and Ashley Williams, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, Vice President.

“We are excited to open our doors and bring compassionate, contemporary ABA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder to families in Essex County and beyond,” said Meghan Van Nostrand, Senior Regional Clinical Director at BCI. “We value being a part of the Lawrence community and look forward to collaborating with fellow organizations and professionals to help find success for every child in our care.” 

The new Lawrence Learning Center provides center-based contemporary ABA therapy, as well as family treatment guidance and assessment in the city of Lawrence. There are very few ABA centers in Lawrence. The Learning Center serves children 2- 6 years old with personalized therapy plans.

With no waitlist and flexible treatment hours to accommodate busy family schedules, the center is now enrolling new clients in the Essex County area and beyond.

About BCI
BCI, part of the LEARN Behavioral network, is one of the nation’s leading providers of compassionate autism care. For more than 20 years, BCI has been delivering evidence-based services, helping children with autism find success and reach their unique potential.

The Lawrence Learning Center is BCI’s fourteenth center-based ABA therapy location, with existing Learning Centers in Beverly, Brockton, Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, New Bedford, Newton, Springfield, Taunton, Wilmington, two locations in Worcester, MA, and a location in Nashua, NH.

For more information or to enroll a child at the Lawrence Learning Center, call 508-281-9411 or visit https://bciaba.com/locations/lawrence

About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral is a national leader in autism treatment, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With a nationwide network of ABA providers and more than 100 Learning Centers across the country, LEARN delivers the highest standard of evidence-based care—customized to meet the unique needs and interests of each child and family. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.

“March Against Elder Abuse” Event Held in Plymouth Raised Awareness of Elder Abuse

PLYMOUTH, MA… More than 150 participated in the March Against Elder Abuse on Thursday, June 26, 2025, that began at Tavern on the Wharf and proceeded down Main Street in Plymouth, MA.
 
The one-mile march, which is centered around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), was an effort to raise awareness about the devastating impacts of elder abuse and promote a safer, more supportive environment for older adults in the community. 
 
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) held the event in partnership with the Plymouth Center for Active Living, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.
 
“The March Against Elder Abuse is an opportunity to increase awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults,” said Teresa Kourtz, LSW, MSG, OCES’ Protective Services Director. “We thank everyone who participated in our Plymouth March and those who have joined the movement to take the lead against elder abuse. We must continue to work together to raise awareness of this critical issue.” 
 
After the march, a luncheon was held at the Tavern on the Wharf that included special guest speakers Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz ,Teresa Kourtz, OCES’ Protective Services Director, Chief of Plymouth Police and trained comfort dogs.
 
The “Pat Foley Advocacy Award,” was given in memory of longtime OCES employee, volunteer, and advocate Pat Foley. This year’s awards were presented to Sergeant Emiliann Melo of the Lakeville Police Department, Steve Valerio of the Middleboro Police Department, Kevin Manuel of the Plymouth Police Department, and Elmer Robinson, OCES Protective Services Worker.
 
March Against Elder Abuse events are part of OCES’ WEAAD campaign. 
 
OCES’ March Against Elder Abuse event in Plymouth was sponsored by Abbott Home Health Care, Inc. For more information about our sponsor, visit https://www.abbottcare.com/ 

Thank you to all our sponsors: Plymouth County District Attorney; Home Health Resources, Inc.; Bluestone Bank; HarborOne Bank; Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department; Rotary Club of Brockton; and Almeida & Carlson Insurance.
 
Join the Movement
Other ways to get involved in the movement against elder abuse include sponsorship of events; sharing educational materials with your networks to raise awareness; and by donating to OCES in support of its Protective Services Department that advocates for and assists older adults. 
 
“One in 10 older adults aged 60+ have experienced some form of abuse according to the National Center on Elder Abuse,” said Kourtz. “Elder abuse is known as a ‘silent problem’. It is estimated that only 1 in 14 cases are reported, which is why raising awareness of elder abuse and its signs are so important.”
 
Recognizing Elder Abuse
Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; neglect; self-neglect; and financial exploitation. According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence, 43,617 elder abuse reports were received during Fiscal Year 2024. 
 
OCES’ Protective Services staff works with older adults, or their designees, to prevent, eliminate, or remedy situations involving elder abuse. When a report is made to the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline), and the elderly reside in our service area, OCES will receive the report and determine if further investigation by a Protective Services Worker is necessary.
 
If you have concerns, please contact your local Protective Services Agency. To report elder abuse, contact the Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275.
 
To learn more about WEAAD, visit https://elderjustice.usc.edu/weaad-home/
 
About OCES
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 51 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. 
 
Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org

Contemporary Dermatology Announces New State-of-the-Art Office in Hyannis

HYANNIS, MARSTONS MILLS AND PLYMOUTH, MA… 
Contemporary Dermatology, a leading provider of comprehensive dermatology services to the South Shore area, Cape Cod and the Islands, has recently signed a lease and will open a new office in Festival Shopping Plaza, 1070 Iyannough Rd (Rt 132), Unit 50 in Hyannis, MA 02601.
 
With state-of-the-art offices in the Pinehills, Plymouth and in Marstons Mills, the Hyannis office is Contemporary Dermatology’s third and largest location, centrally located for patient convenience throughout Cape Cod. The practice was founded and is led by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robert Nossa.
 
Renovations are underway at the 5,007 square foot space, which was formerly a Massage Envy located two doors down from the Homegoods store. The expected completion of construction is the end of August, with an anticipated opening date in September 2025.
 
The new full-service office will provide medical, surgical and aesthetic dermatology services, and will be Contemporary Dermatology’s primary Mohs surgical clinic. The office will have board-certified dermatologists, Mohs Micrographic surgeons, board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner, physician’s assistants, aestheticians and medical assistants.
 
Contemporary Dermatology’s Hyannis office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
 
Appointments for the new location may be scheduled now by calling (508) 492-3200.
 
For more information, visit www.contemporarydermatology.com or call (508) 492-3200.
 
About Contemporary Dermatology
Contemporary Dermatology is a leading provider of comprehensive dermatology services, including medical dermatology, skin cancer treatments and Mohs surgery, aesthetic services and clinical research. Their modern practice is home to the latest technologies that allow their highly trained professionals to focus on treating a wide array of medical skin conditions and cosmetic concerns. The practice’s aesthetic services focus on creating natural-looking results through cutting-edge cosmetic treatments such as such as dermal fillers, BOTOX®, DAXXIFY® and more. Innovative laser treatments offered include laser tattoo removal, Vbeam, Pico, Fraxpro, Matrix RF and Nordlys for facial rejuvenation.
 
Contemporary Dermatology’s state-of-the-art offices in Pinehills, Marstons Mills and Hyannis serve greater Plymouth, Cape Cod and the Islands. The practice treats patients of all ages. For more information, visit www.contemporarydermatology.com or call the Plymouth office 508-224-3800 or Marstons Mills office 508-492-3200.