Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, recently led educational programs for residents of the Edwina Martin House (EMH), a recovery home for women located in Brockton.
With a mission to provide information and services that promote healthy and safe living, OCES held two educational sessions for residents at EMH: Healthy Meal Planning and Chronic Pain Self-Management Program.
In the first session, Barbara Nalen-Cardosa, a Registered Dietician in OCES’ Nutrition Department, gave a presentation on “Healthy Meal Planning” and fielded a variety of questions on healthy eating.
In the second session, Chrisline Denis, Healthy Living Supervisor, along with Primma-Latise Murry, SHINE Coordinator/Outreach Specialist, and Donna-Marie Forand, Outreach and Education Specialist in OCES’ Healthy Living Department conducted the Stanford University Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP), meeting two and a half hours per week for six weeks. CPSMP was developed for people who have a primary or secondary diagnosis of chronic pain. EMH residents participating in CPSMP learned principal techniques for self-management, which included action planning, problem solving and the importance of physical activity.
“OCES empowered our residents with knowledge and tools that may help them better manage their own health,” said Judith McDonough, Executive Director of EMH. “Some examples of three to six month goals set by our participants are to eat healthy, relax, cope positively and to work on stronger interpersonal skills and relationships.”
“These educational programs are just a couple of examples of how OCES is able to serve our entire community,” said Christine McLaren, OCES’ Community Programs Director. “We are very pleased to be able to work with the residents of the Edwina Martin House and will continue to offer programs that help their residents live vibrant lives.”
About Edwina Martin House
Founded in 1982, the Edwina Martin House (EMH) is a residential substance abuse treatment facility for women. More than 4,000 women have lived at EMH since it was founded, and the recovery home is named for a woman who was a longtime advocate for alcohol and drug programs in the area.
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
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