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Aging Services Access Point

OCES to hold Training Seminar on May 2nd: Mandated Reporting of Elder Abuse for First Responders

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, will hold a seminar entitled “Mandated Reporting of Elder Abuse for First Responders” on Monday, May 2, 2016 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at their Brockton office at 144 Main Street.

This FREE training seminar is geared towards fire, police and emergency medical personnel.

Terri Kourtz, LSW, Protective Services Director at OCES will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of the Adult Protective Service Program. The discussion will cover: The Elder Abuse Reporting Law; Definitions of Abuse; The Theory of Adult Protection and Service Interventions.

First responders may earn one Continuing Education Credit which has been approved by Office of Emergency Medical Services. Light refreshments will be provided.

To RSVP, or for more information, contact Krista-Jean Forand at OCES 508-584-1561 ext. 302, by April 27, 2016.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and 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.

OCES to hold Training Seminar on May 2nd: Mandated Reporting of Elder Abuse for First RespondersRead More

OCES to Sponsor South Shore Alzheimer’s Partnership Conference & Caregiver Day on April 27th

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, is the lead sponsor for the South Shore Alzheimer’s Partnership 11th Annual Conference and Caregiver Day on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Geared towards increasing awareness and participation among family caregivers, the South Shore Alzheimer’s Partnership conference will be held at The Conference Center at Massasoit, 770 Crescent Street in Brockton.

Several presentations are on the agenda including: “Meeting Alzheimer’s – Walking in their Shoes” presented by David LaGraffe of Healing Moments; “Family Asset Preservation” presented by Robert R. Romano, Attorney at Law; and a Panel Discussion with individuals who have early onset Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Participants will also have an opportunity to visit exhibitors and enjoy Reiki, chair massages, aromatherapy, raffles and more. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided.

OCES is a member of the South Shore Alzheimer’s Partnership, which is a volunteer organization comprised of professionals and family caregivers. The objectives of the Partnership are to provide respite scholarships for family caregivers caring for a loved one with dementia and to provide educational programs on various aspects of dementia.

Admission to the conference is free for family caregivers, Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides. For respite care options available during the conference, caregivers may contact Christine McLaren at OCES, 508-584-1561.

Nurses and social workers may earn three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for $40. For more information about registration, contact Hilary Troia, 781-924-5694.

All proceeds from the conference will be used to benefit those in need of Care Assistance Grants.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and 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.

OCES to Sponsor South Shore Alzheimer’s Partnership Conference & Caregiver Day on April 27thRead More

Traveling Chef Whips Up Delicious Meals at Two Congregate Meal Sites

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, offers themed specialty meals prepared by the “Traveling Chef” at two congregate meal sites in August.

OCES’ congregate meal sites provide hot, nutritious noontime meals Monday through Friday to older adults age 60+. Congregate meal participants will enjoy several upcoming themed specialty meals.

“A Taste of Italy” will be held at Brockton Council on Aging (COA) at Mary Cruise Kennedy Senior Center, 10 Father Kenney Way, Brockton on August 12, 2014 at noon. Reservations required.

“BBQ Chicken Lunch” will be held at the Commercial Club, 1 Neilson Ave, East Bridgewater on August 21, 2014 at noon. To reserve a seat, call the East Bridgewater COA at 508-378-1610 by August 14th.

Meals are planned by a Nutritionist and meet one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance for major nutrients. The meals do not feature high sodium foods and no salt is added. Low-fat milk is provided.

“Anyone age 60 or older is encouraged to attend a congregate meal site where they can enjoy delicious meals, social interaction and fun activities,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Congregate meal menus are published in local newspapers and in COA newsletters. A sample menu may be requested by calling OCES at (508) 584-1561 or visiting the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 179 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.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Safe and Sound. Old Colony Elder Services hosts training on Social Worker Safety.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities, held a two-day social worker safety training at their office that involved all the organization’s staff including Care Managers and Protective Services Workers.

The extensive training was facilitated by Sara McCabe who works with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is the current Residential Director with the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network in Framingham, MA. Ms. McCabe is certified by NASW as a trainer and has been teaching the topic for seven years.

Topics for the Safety Training For Social Workers program included working with violent consumers; assessing and predicting risk factors; verbal de-escalation; developing a safety plan of action; setting boundaries; developing safety protocols; and tracking safety incidents.  Continuing Education Units (CEUs) were given to participants.

“Safety for social workers is an essential concern in our workplace,” noted Terri Kourtz, Protective Service and Money Management Director of OCES.  “This training program is a catalyst for thinking and taking proactive steps towards maintaining safety for all of our staff and consumers.”

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 173 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.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

 

Safe and Sound. Old Colony Elder Services hosts training on Social Worker Safety.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services Celebrates Cape Verde Independence Day with Luncheon

OCES Supportive housing cape verde luncheon
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county areas, recently held a luncheon at Campello High Rise, one of the Supportive Housing sites in Brockton, celebrating Independence Day for both the United States and Cape Verde.

The Independence Day celebration luncheon was part of OCES’ Supportive Housing Program, which provides supportive services to senior and disabled residents at Campello High Rise. OCES’ Supportive Housing Program enables them to live longer in the community and prevents premature institutionalization.

For the third consecutive year, the residents celebrated the Independence Day of two nations with a luncheon featuring Cape Verdean and American food, music and dancing. More than 40 people were in attendance.

The luncheon event was one of Supportive Housing’s structured social, educational and recreational programs for residents. These programs are incorporated following a resident needs assessment and as indicated through the provision of care management. They are meant to encourage and build a community atmosphere among the residents.

“The Supportive Housing Program is a win-win and the recent Independence Day celebration luncheon was just one example of its success. We’ve had a good response from residents and they are very comfortable with the program,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 171 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Celebrates Cape Verde Independence Day with LuncheonRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Receives Generous Grant from Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Coalition and the Administration on Aging

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, has been awarded the Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Grant of $10,000.

OCES’ Family Caregiver Support Program was one of 10 recipients of a $100,000 grant funded through the Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Coalition and the Administration on Aging. The Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Grant enables OCES to provide much needed, quality respite support to family caregivers, including spouses, adult children caring for parents and grandparents caring for grandchildren.

Respite services provide family caregivers a needed break from their ongoing responsibilities. Services are customized to provide quality individualized respite options that will meet each caregiver’s needs. For example, one week of Adult Day Health Care can be provided for a caregiver’s parent suffering from Alzheimer’s; one week of camp can be provided for a caregiver’s grandchild.

This essential grant helps local family caregivers who aren’t eligible to receive public funding assistance and who could not otherwise afford respite care for their loved ones.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 171 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Receives Generous Grant from Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Coalition and the Administration on AgingRead More

Tufts Health Plan Foundation Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services For Caregiver Workshops

For the third consecutive year, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, has been awarded a generous grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

The $6,054 grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation will fund OCES’ successful “It’s About Time” free workshops for caregivers. The workshops teach caregivers techniques and strategies for managing time and reducing stress. Topics typically covered in the workshops inculde meal preparation, time management and relaxation techniques.

“The ‘It’s About Time’ workshops teach caregivers the much-needed strategies which help them to avoid burnout and remain physically and emotionally healthy while they provide essential care-giving services. We are very fortunate to receive the grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 169 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Tufts Health Plan Foundation Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services For Caregiver WorkshopsRead More

Old Colony Elder Services new pet food grant helps elders

Read this great article by Sue Scheible of The Patriot Ledger:
A GOOD AGE: Helping elders feed their pets as well as themselves
http://www.patriotledger.com/lifestyle/50_plus/x997482083/A-GOOD-AGE-Elders-pets-get-help-from-distant-benefactor

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Old Colony Elder Services Offers Diabetes Self-Management Program for Seniors to be held at Duxbury COA

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county areas, will offer a six week “Healthy Eating” Diabetes Self-Management Program at the Duxbury Council on Aging (COA), located at 10 Mayflower Street.

The Healthy Eating Diabetes Self-Management Program will be held on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from July 22 to August 26, 2013. As diabetes affects seniors at a much higher rate than younger adults, the program is geared towards seniors and their caregivers. Dorothy Slack, RN, Wellness Program Manager, and Donna Marie Forand, Outreach and Education Specialist, from OCES, will lead the program.

The Healthy Eating Diabetes Self-Management Program is an evidence-based program developed at Stanford University designed to help individuals develop a greater awareness of their role in disease management. The Healthy Eating program is for the newly diagnosed and talks about the impact of diabetes on their lifestyle. Attendees will learn about common problems with diabetes, reading food labels, enhancing communication, advocating for themselves and creating an action plan.

“The goal of the Healthy Eating Diabetes Self-Management Program is to help people choose healthy eating behaviors they would like to follow and to design strategies for incorporating these behaviors into daily life. Setting weekly goals, making an action plan, giving feedback and sharing are a significant part of each workshop session,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

There is no cost to attend this program. Registration is required. To register, contact the Duxbury COA at 781-934-5774.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 169 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Offers Diabetes Self-Management Program for Seniors to be held at Duxbury COARead More