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Alzheimer's

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.

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Caregivers care. Nonotuck honors caregivers as part of National Caregivers Month

AUBURN, MA AND FLORENCE, MA…

For more than 40 years Nonotuck Resource Associates has helped transform the lives of hundreds of people with intellectual and physical disabilities by offering the personalized service of shared living and Adult Family Care. As part of National Caregivers Month in November, Nonotuck honored 40 of its caregivers in the greater Worcester area with a celebratory dinner at its Auburn offices at 4 Faith Avenue on November 20.

At the dinner, each Nonotuck caregiver was presented with a congratulatory thank you card from Nonotuck Board of Directors, the CEO and all Nonotuck staff written in every language of this diverse group of Nonotuck caregivers. These care givers reside in Central Mass, principally in the greater Worcester area and they were all honored equally for their commitment, love and service. In addition, Nonotuck made a $500 donation each to four food bank organizations that cover western Mass, north central Mass, the Worcester Area, and the southeastern/Cape area of Mass on behalf of these Nonotuck Caregivers.

“Our caregivers do more than open up their homes to care for people from all walks of life. They literally share their lives with the people we serve. In many cases, they become like family,” said George Fleischner, CEO of Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. “We cannot thank our caregivers enough for all they do. They are the backbone of our organization.”

According to the Caregiver Action Network website, there are as many as 90 million family caregivers in U.S. today. That means that two out of every five adults—or 39 percent–are family caregivers.  That’s an increase from 30 percent back in 2010. In recognition of the role caregivers play, the Obama administration declared November 2013 as National Caregivers Month.

“The sad reality is that not every family is able to care for their elderly or disabled family member,” said Fleischner. When the family is unable to be the caregiver, Nonotuck will find an out of family home to provide care to the person in a dignified and loving way. “You just can’t put a dollar value on the critical role Nonotuck caregivers play in the lives of so many people across Massachusetts.”

Based in Florence, Massachusetts but with offices across the Commonwealth, Nonotuck offers Shared Living and Adult Family Care for families who choose to care for their loved ones who have Alzheimer’s, autism, brain injuries, cancer, muscular dystrophy and other intellectual and physical disabilities at home.

For complete information on Nonotuck Resource Associates, including office locations, you can visit www.nonotuck.com or call Nonotuck’s corporate office at 413-586-5256.

Caregiving with Love –  Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc.

Founded in 1972 by a group of parents who had the courage and foresight to seek community care for their loved ones, Nonotuck has since helped transform the lives of hundreds of people with intellectual and physical disabilities by providing the personalized service of Shared Living and Adult Family Care.  Each day Nonotuck addresses the ever increasing demand from families for these non-traditional, value based, in home services with love and care.  If you are interested in finding out more about this unique service and our locations please visit www.nonotuck.com or call 413-586-5256 x 104.

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Paul Raia, PhD Speaks About “Alzheimer’s Perfect Storm” at Old Colony Elder Services

May is Older Americans Month and the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living, has announced that this year’s theme is “Unleash the Power of Age”.

According to the AoA, “People across our nation are achieving remarkable things in later life. Many older adults are experts in their fields, have years of valuable experience, and are using that knowledge to improve the lives of others.”

In honor of Older Americans Month, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), hosted a talk by Paul Raia, PhD, an innovator and renowned expert in the field of dementia.

Dr. Raia spoke to OCES staff and board members about the “Alzheimer’s Perfect Storm”; he shared definitions and demographics, current research and Habilitation Therapy, an approach that he developed more than 20 years ago that is now accepted as the best standard of care.

Dr. Raia has been directing patient care and family support at the Alzheimer’s Association for over 22 years, and now serves as vice president of clinical programs at the MA/NH Chapter. He developed the Habilitation Therapy approach to dementia, which focuses on the patient’s emotions and their remaining capacities. As a frequent contributor to various publications and journals, Dr. Raia has written primarily on dementia as a treatable condition. He serves on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and frequently appears as an expert on Alzheimer’s for television, radio and print news media. Dr. Raia has been recognized by several organizations for his distinguished service receiving awards from The Massachusetts Gerontology Association, the Massachusetts State Legislature, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Massachusetts Homecare Association.

“Dr. Raia is a pioneer in the field of dementia and we were very fortunate to have him as a guest speaker to share his vast knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease, research and Habilitation Therapy,” 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 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.

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Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. celebrates National Nurses Day with a gift to the One Fund

FLORENCE, MA…

For most Americans, May 12, 2013 represents Mother’s Day. For thousands of dedicated nursing professionals, many of whom are mothers, the day represents another significant milestone: the birthday of Florence Nightingale. To honor the founder of modern nursing’s birthday and the invaluable contributions of nurses everywhere, Nonotuck Resource Associates, a company that has helped transform the lives of hundreds of people with intellectual and physical disabilities by offering the personalized service of shared living and Adult Family Care, has  donated $500 to the One Fund to support victims of the tragedy at this year’s Boston Marathon.

“Ten years ago we struggled with many aspects of health care and the agency didn’t have the resources to address this critical issue.  Today we have qualified, committed, dedicated, caring nurses in all of our offices serving the health care needs of about 500 people from North Adams to the Cape in our shared living and adult family care households,” said George H. Fleischner, executive director of Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. “Saying thank you to these incredible men and women didn’t seem enough so we are making a donation in the name of Nonotuck nurses to the One Fund.”

Florence Nightingale’s birthday is recognized by the American Nurses Association as part of National Nurses Week, which takes place annually from May 6 to May 12. May 6 represents the official National Nurses Day.

“There are many challenges in nursing; one of the hardest is probably helping those we work with through vulnerable times. The One Fund Boston was truly a great idea!! It absolutely represents our nurses’ commitment, dedication and focus to our communities. I cannot think of a better gift,” said Rachael Perrea, an RN with Nonotuck. “If more businesses and organizations took Nonotuck’s lead and donated to causes in need, we could all help to make this world a little better in a big way… I feel honored to be a part of this donation and blessed to be a part of Nonotuck.”

Nonotuck offers Shared Living, Adult Family Care and Day Services for families who choose to care for their loved ones suffering with Alzheimer’s, autism, brain injuries, cancer, muscular dystrophy and other intellectual and physical disabilities at home. Based in Florence, Nonotuck has offices in Central and Western Massachusetts as well as on Boston’s South Shore and on Cape Cod. An office in the Boston area will open later in 2013.

For complete information on Nonotuck Resource Associates, including office locations, you can visit www.nonotuck.com or call Nonotuck’s main office at 413-586-5266 x104.

Caregiving with Love – Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc.

Founded in 1972 by a group of parents who had the courage and foresight to seek community care for their loved ones, Nonotuck has since helped transform the lives of hundreds of people with intellectual and physical disabilities by providing the personalized service of Shared Living and Adult Family Care.  Each day Nonotuck addresses the ever increasing demand from families for these non-traditional, value based, in home services with love and care.  If you are interested in finding out more about this unique service and our locations please visit www.nonotuck.com or call 413-586-5256 x 104.

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Old Colony Elder Services Concerned Over Soaring Home Care Wait List

With only days left in the formal legislative session on Beacon Hill, Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), the regional elder services agency serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout Brockton and the 22 surrounding communities, say lawmakers have not addressed the home care needs of many seniors and people with disabilities.

According to Mass Home Care Executive Director Al Norman, the state’s home care program had nearly 2,000 elders on a waiting list as the new fiscal year began July 1st.

“We are hoping that members of the General Court will not accept home care waiting lists as a fact of life,” Norman said. “We’ve asked the Ways & Means Committees not to break for reelection campaigns until they address the growing problem of home care shortfalls.”

If no additional funds are forthcoming, Norman predicted the waiting list of 2,000 elders today could reach 4,000 or 5,000 by next June.

“This is a serious concern. Old Colony Elder Services currently has 80 people on its wait list for home care services and we expect this number to reach 200 by next June,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Per Mass Home Care approximately $6.7 million is needed in FY 2013 to eliminate the current waiting list. Norman said that many of these elders are eligible for nursing facility care. “It’s easier to place someone in a nursing facility in Massachusetts than it is to keep them at home. Instead of being a ‘community first’ state, we continue to push ‘institutions first’ on our aging and disabled populations.”

Governor Deval Patrick recently filed a supplemental budget that could have been the vehicle for home care funding, Norman noted, but the Governor asked for no relief for these programs.

Mass Home Care is also pushing a one sentence piece of legislation, H4186, that would allow disabled people with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive deficits to get a personal care attendant (PCA). Currently, only people who need physical assistance with care are allowed into the PCA program. H4186 would allow people with cueing and supervision needs to receive care, and avoid costly nursing facility placement. A person suffering from Alzheimer’s would be able to get PCA services at home under the bill.

“People should not be penalized because they have the ‘wrong’ disease,” Norman explained. “If our goal is to keep people at home, then this bill should have passed months ago.”

According to Mass Home Care, 70 percent of states that have a PCA program allow people with cueing and supervision needs to receive care at home. H4186 is currently in the House Third Reading along with 600 other bills.

“Somewhere in between discussions on criminal sentencing and health care reform,” Norman concluded, “we hope that lawmakers will remember than nearly one in five people in the Commonwealth are over the age of 60—-and their greatest wish is to simply live out their lives at home, with dignity and independence. We continue to waste millions of taxpayers’ dollars annually on unnecessary institutional care.”

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, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers in 23 communities 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. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Bringing independence to many, Independence Home Care Launches in Greater Boston

In an effort to meet a rapidly growing need in the marketplace for home care services, Independence Home Care, Inc., providers of private duty non-medical home care to the elderly, has recently launched in Boston.

As a licensed, non-medical home care agency, Independence Home Care offers assistance to elderly, disabled, post-surgical and other clients throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Independence Home Care provides assistance with daily activities that are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid but, in certain situations, may be covered by long-term care insurance.

Services include:

· Specialized Services such as Alzheimer’s care, fall prevention, live-in care, hospital-sitting and 24/7 service.

· Companionship Services that includes socialization activities, reading, playing games, and solving puzzles, depending on what interests our clients.

· Home Helper Services that provide assistance with daily activities, meal planning and preparation as well as light housekeeping.

· Personal Care Services that support individual needs such as daily hygiene and dressing, transportation to medical appointments and medication reminders.

The company strives to maintain the highest level of quality care. Independence Home Care’s bonded and insured caregivers are all experienced and dedicated caregivers who have completed the company’s rigorous training program and undergone state and federal background checks. All caregivers are supervised and monitored.

According to Joan Farahmand, the company’s president, “We saw a strong need for professional home care services in the greater Boston area. As baby-boomers age, the number of seniors needing assistance is increasing significantly. Oftentimes, an elderly person just needs help with dressing, medication reminders, and meal preparation. They are certainly not in need of institutionalization. Independence Home Care provides seniors and their families with an appropriate and affordable alternative.”

The National Family Caregivers Association and Family Caregiver Alliance’s 2004 study estimated the prevalence of caregiving in the U.S. Their findings indicated that in 2004, there were 28,827,766 caregivers in the country providing 30,880 (million) of caregiving hours per year. In 2006, it was estimated that there were between 30-38 million adults providing unpaid care to a relative or friend, averaging 21 hours per week of care.

Farahmand continued, “November is National Family Caregiver’s month where every year family caregivers are recognized. It’s important to note that family caregivers also benefit from our services, since home care provides peace of mind and often much needed respite care for family members, as well.”

Non-Medical Home Care in Greater Boston Area

Independence Home Care, Inc. provides non-medical home care services to seniors and others in need throughout the metropolitan Boston area and eastern Massachusetts. Independence Home Care offers a wide range of individually tailored personal care, home helper, and companionship services. From personal care needs and light housekeeping chores to companionship, Independence Home Care provides a wide array of non-medical services on a temporary or permanent basis.

All of the company’s caregivers are bonded and insured. They have undergone a rigorous training program as well as full background and reference checks. Whether someone needs as little as four hours of home care twice a week or they require full-time daily assistance, Independence Home Care offers an affordable alternative that enables an individual to maintain their independence and remain in their home.

Independence Home Care main office is located at 21 Custom House Street, Suite 910 in Boston. For more information, contact 877-805-9090 or visit www.IndependenceHomeCare.com.

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