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Diana DiGiorgi

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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Dukakis Reflects on 40 Years of Home Care

Former Governor Michael Dukakis

Former Governor Michael Dukakis, considered by advocates as perhaps the best “human services” Governor in state history, will help Mass Home Care celebrate 40 YEARS OF HOME CARE at the group’s Annual Meeting on June 18th at 11:30 am at the Burlington Marriott.

Dukakis will be introduced by the man who served as his Secretary of Elder Affairs, Paul Lanzikos, who is now Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services, one of the 27 Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) members of Mass Home Care. A dozen other home care activists and lawmakers will speak at the event.

The meeting will be the last event as Mass Home Care President for Linda George, Executive Director of Boston Senior Home Care, who is stepping down after a two-year term leading the organization. The group will also honor retiring State Representative Alice Wolf of Cambridge, the House Chair of the Elder Affairs committee, with a Home Care Hero award.

“They say things get easier with age,” noted Mass Home Care Executive Director Al Norman, who has served in that position since 1986. “But the struggle to keep elders at home always faces new challenges–even after 4 decades.”

Norman said despite all the focus in Massachusetts on health care reform, very little attention and money is focused on keeping older people at home.

“Long term support focuses on assisting people with chronic conditions with their daily functioning,” Norman said. “We’ve gotten much better at getting people out of nursing facilities, but not as good at getting money out of the budget.” Norman said Mass Home Care member agencies have helped drive down Medicaid nursing facility days by 30% over the past decade, saving Massachusetts taxpayers $600 million a year.

Created during the Frank Sargent Administration, our home care system is one of the largest in the nation. Here are some facts about home care in Massachusetts this year:

* $335 million in state and federal funding managed by Mass Home Care member agencies

* 82,600 individuals receive ASAP care management and coordination

* 10,444 elders eligible for institutions receive care at home

* 8.6 million meals served to 74,000 elders

* 150,000 information calls handled by regional ASAP agencies

* 18,282 reports of elder abuse investigated

* 55,000 nursing facility screenings conducted

* 2,000 elders receive Money Management assistance

* The typical home care client is an 81 years old woman, living alone

* 45% of home care clients live at or below the poverty line

In addition to the basic home care personal assistance services, such as help with eating, bathing, dressing, and toileting, the home care network manages a variety of other long term supports to keep elders and individuals with disabilities living in the community: Group Adult Foster Care, Adult Foster Care, Personal Care Attendant Program, Senior Care Options, Chronic Disease Self Management Programs, Money Management Programs, Guardianship Programs, HUD 202 and other Housing Programs, Geriatric Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs, and Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE).

The Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) are all non-profit, and 51% of their board of directors are local individuals over the age of 60. In addition, Mass Home Care also represents Massachusetts’ 21 federally-designated Area Agencies on Aging, which manage more than $21 million annually in federal funding for nutrition, family caregivers, supportive services and nursing home ombudsman programs. Old Colony Elder Services, located in Brockton and founded in 1974, is the designated regional ASAP for 23 communities in greater Plymouth county.

Sponsors for the Mass Home Care event include: AARP Massachusetts, Advantage Home Medical, Affinity Home Health, Associated Home Care, Atrius Health, Bayada Home Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston Senior Home Care, Caregiver Homes, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Core Health, Fallon Community Health Plan/Summit Eldercare & Navicare, Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, Home Health Resources, Highland Valley Elder Services, LaSalle Health, Linda Cragin, Mass Association of Older Americans, MA Council for Home Care Aide Services, Midtown Home Health Services, Old Colony Elder Services, Tufts Health Plan, and United Health 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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Old Colony Elder Services Announces New Congregate Meal Site At the Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church

OCES’ newest congregate meal site has opened at the Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church located at 696 N. Main Street. (L to R) Meprilia Glaude, Lefete Charles (standing), Olive Gilbert and Olianne Gilbert enjoy the congregate meal which was catered by Jeano’s, a 4-star Haitian Creole Restaurant in Brockton.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth County, has recently opened a new congregate meal site at Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church located at 696 North Main Street.

The Haitian community is one of the largest minority groups in Brockton. Historically, very few Haitian seniors have participated in congregate meal programs. Language and cultural barriers have been huge obstacles. This is one way OCES is expanding services to local cultural groups.

OCES’ new congregate meal site officially opened in March and currently serves church members. The congregate meal site is open three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to serve a noon time meal.

The meals are catered by Jeano’s a four-star Haitian Creole Restaurant, located at 759 Main Street in Brockton. The menu, planned by a Nutritionist in collaboration with Jeano’s, meets one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance for major nutrients. High sodium foods are not used and there is no salt added in cooking.

Members of the Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church age 60 or older and/or disabled persons of any age can make reservations to attend this congregate meal site. Members who would like to attend the congregate meal site may apply at the Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church.

OCES has five additional congregate meals sites in Brockton. To learn about congregate meal sites within our service area, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561.

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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“Mayors for Meals Day” a Success

Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti (on right) delivers a meal to Meals On Wheels recipient Linda Brown on “Mayors for Meals Day”.

Each year, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), an elder services agency providing supportive resources to seniors living in greater Plymouth county and the Brockton area, participates in the National March for Meals Campaign, sponsored by the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) through their special program known as “Mayors for Meals Day”.

This year, Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti and Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES delivered noontime meals to Meals On Wheels recipients throughout the Brockton area.

The “Mayors for Meals Day” campaign is designed to increase public awareness of the Meals On Wheels program, recruit new volunteers and encourage local fundraising by involving local mayors and other public officials.

“We have seniors who are homebound and unable to manage their grocery shopping or attend one of our congregate meal sites. The Meals On Wheels program is absolutely essential to them as they would otherwise not get a nutritious daily meal. Furthermore, the daily social contact is crucial to check on the safety of those living alone,” noted OCES Executive Director Diana DiGiorgi.

The Meals On Wheels program serves individuals age 60 and over, as well as disabled persons under the age of 60. Both the Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on help from volunteers. For more information contact the Nutrition Department at Old Colony Elder Services (508) 584-1561.

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 towns 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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Governor Takes Bite Out of Elder Meals Program – Nearly 250,000 meals cut

Elder advocates reacted with surprise this week in response to Governor Deval Patrick’s proposed 24% cut in the state’s meals program for elders.

“This is literally taking food off the table for older people,” explained Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care. “This is one of the most visible and popular senior programs in the state. We never would have predicted a cut in such a key service.”

The Governor’s budget slashes the elder nutrition program line item (account 9110-1900) by $1.5 million – from the FY 2012 level of $6.325 million to $4.81 million in FY 2013. This would leave elder nutrition funding for 2013 lower than it was 7 years ago in 2006 under Governor Mitt Romney ( at $5.237 million).

According to Mass Home Care, the loss of funding will cut nearly a quarter of a million meals in 2013. Total meals served under this line item to seniors will plummet from 996,000 meals in 2012 to 754,000 meals in 2013 – a loss of 242,000 fewer meals.

“Old Colony Elder Services estimates its share of the impact would be $75,000 that will cause a reduction of more than 12,000 meals across its service area of 23 communities in the greater Brockton and Plymouth county areas” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services.

The elder nutrition program is one of several meals programs available for seniors in the state, funded by federal and state monies. A total of 8.8 million meals will be served in FY 2012 counting all senior meals programs. Norman said elder nutrition groups have begun assessing how to best get the lost meals funding restored on Beacon Hill; “I am certain the Governor’s people did not expect us to walk away from the table knowing a quarter of a million meals were being cut.”

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, their families and caregivers in 23 towns 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.
The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

Governor Takes Bite Out of Elder Meals Program – Nearly 250,000 meals cutRead More

State Lawmakers Heat Up Fuel Fund

Advocates for elders and families scored a major victory this week when the State Legislature added $21.2 million in state funding for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Mass Home Care initiated this effort back in November by approaching the National Consumer Law Center to work with us to set up meetings with key state lawmakers. From there, the support of local Community Action Programs (CAPs) was sought, and the advocacy effort began.

A meeting was held with State Senator Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) on November 22nd, and a second meeting took place with Rep. Paul Donato (D-Medford) on December 1st. Mass Home Care and advocates asked lawmakers to consider a fund of $30 million in fuel aid. The language had a provision that if federal funding exceeded $150 million, the state funding would begin to revert back to the state coffers.

On January 11th, the House Ways and Means committee, led by Rep. Brian Dempsey (D-Haverhill) reported out a supplemental budget for FY 2012 that included $21.2 million in new state funding for the fuel aid program. The House budget was adopted on January 18th, and the Senate concurred the following day, on January 19th. In all, it took nearly two months for advocates to achieve the added state fuel funding – but as a result, as many as 21,000 new households will be able to get fuel assistance this year. Last winter 250,000 Massachusetts residents received fuel assistance. This state funding represents the 15th time that state funds have been added to the federal program to help low-income elders and families cope with winter heating expenses.

Last year Massachusetts received approximately $182 million in LIHEAP funding from the federal government. This year the state is slated to receive $132 million ($50 million less than last year). The state supplement of $21.2 M brings the available funds to the level of $153.2 M, or about 84% of what was available last year. Based on language in the House budget, if the federal funding exceeds $163.77 million, funds would begin to revert back to the state; federal funding is not expected to change at this point.

The Commonwealth’s highest heating oil benefit for the poorest families is currently $1,025 compared to $1,240 in 2009. Compounding the pain is the rising cost of oil, up from about $3 a gallon last year to $4 a gallon today. At this price, the highest fuel assistance benefit will provide only one tank of oil. The average household needs three to four tank refills to get through the winter. This means many households will run out of oil sometime in January.
In some parts of the state, elderly households comprise as much as 20% or more of the applicants. Elders are particularly at risk for heating problems because they are more susceptible to hypothermia, live in homes that are poorly insulated, and go out less often than younger people, thus spending more time in a cold home.

“This state supplement for fuel aid is a great victory for seniors and advocates,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services. “The classic dilemma facing seniors is a ‘heat or eat’ choice,” DiGiorgi explained. “We know that the total fuel aid this year will not be enough to protect all seniors who need this help—but it’s definitely going to warm up the homes of many of our frail elderly population.”

About Old Colony Elder Services

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, their families and caregivers in 23 towns 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.

The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org
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Old Colony Elder Services to hold Ethical and Risk Management Conference on October 28th

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving elders, their caregivers and families in 23 towns in the Plymouth county and Brockton areas, recently announced that a “Documentation in Elder Services: Ethical and Risk Management Issues” Conference will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at OCES, Donovan Centre, 144 Main Street in Brockton. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

This conference is intended for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Nurses, and other health and
human service professionals. 4.5 CEUs have been approved for this conference. A light lunch will be provided. Due to limited space, registration will be accepted on a first paid, first-served basis.

Professor Frederic G. Reamer, Ph.D. of the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College, will be the guest speaker. Dr. Reamer is the author of a number of books and articles on social work ethics. He will provide conference participants with an overview of ethical, malpractice and risk-management issues pertaining to the documentation of services and critical incidents.

To register, download the registration form at www.oldcolonyeldervices.org and complete 1 form per registrant. Mail the forms and $50 payment per person to OCES by October 19, 2011. For more information, visit our website or call Phyllis Martin at 508-584-1561 extension 293.

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, their families and caregivers in 23 towns 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.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

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Mass Association of REALTORS Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services

Old Colony Elder Services Check Presentation
Old Colony Elder Services, the regional elder services agency headquartered in Brockton and serving 23 towns in the South Shore and Brockton area, has recently been awarded a $2,500 grant from the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS.

Old Colony Elder Services was nominated as a local non-profit to receive the grant by the Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS. The grant, which was awarded by the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS Charitable Foundation, will be put toward Old Colony Elder Services’ Emergency Fund which helps low-income seniors remain in their homes by helping them pay for fuel, medical transportation or utilities.

“We’d like to express our gratitude to the Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS for their nomination of our organization and to the Mass Association of REALTORS Charitable Foundation for awarding us with the $2,500 grant. It will go a long way towards helping seniors in crisis situations,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services.

Old Colony Elder Services Emergency Fund provides assistance to meet the needs of elders in crisis or emergency situations that threaten their health or living status and cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource. In other words, there is no other funding source or agency available to address the need identified.

DiGiorgi continued, “Through the generous support of companies and individuals, we can continue to provide critical services to elders in the Brockton, Plymouth and South Shore communities who are most at risk. Historically, almost half of all the Emergency Funds dispersed have assisted elders with fuel. We had a rough winter last year and we anticipate an even greater number of elders in need this winter.”

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Old Colony Elder Services Emergency Fund, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.

About the Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS®
The Plymouth and South Shore Association of REALTORS (PASS) is a local chapter of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and is the second largest Association under the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS (MAR). Their membership consists of over 2,000 REALTOR members and over 70 Affiliate members and they serve 18 communities south of Boston. For more information, visit www.passrealtors.com.

About the Mass Association of REALTORS®
The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade association for licensed real estate practitioners and serves as the parent organization to the state’s 16 local REALTOR® associations. Since 1992, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS Charitable Foundation has provided assistance to needy individuals and the community – awarding more than $250,000 in grants to victims of natural disasters, financial assistance to Massachusetts-based non-profit organizations, home buyer counseling and shelter services. The association is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information, visit the website at www.marealtor.com.

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, their families and caregivers in 23 towns 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.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

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Greater Brockton CHNA Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services

Greater Brockton Community Health Network Area (CHNA) has recently awarded a $3,000 grant to Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency.

The grant will be used to help fund the My Life, My Health Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) for the 10 communities served by CHNA.

The My Life, My Health CDSMP is a community workshop designed to give seniors and others with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, etc.) and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their health care. It is facilitated by OCES staff members who are certified leaders of the program.

Three programs in English and three programs in Spanish will be offered to seniors residing in Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. There are five English speaking trained program leaders and two Spanish speaking trained leaders. (Additional Spanish speaking volunteers who would like to become trained leaders are needed.)

According to Dorothy Slack, who is a certified leader of CDSMP, “We would like to thank Greater Brockton CHNA for their generous grant which will enable us to run this essential program. We’re really excited to offer the program in both English and Spanish. The grant will help pay for program supplies, books and lunch for attendees.”

Each program runs for six consecutive weeks. The first Spanish speaking session will be held at the Neighborhood Health Center in Brockton on September 14th. The first English speaking session will be held at the Abington Council on Aging in Abington on Tuesday, September 20th.

“It is through the generous support of organizations and individuals that we can continue to provide programs that better enable elders to remain independent and living in their own homes throughout the 23 communities we serve,” said Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

About Greater Brockton CHNA
Greater Brockton Community Health Network Area (CHNA) was established in 1992 by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It is a local coalition of public, non-profit, and private sectors working together to build healthier communities in Massachusetts through community-based prevention planning and health promotion. It is in the mission of the Greater Brockton CHNA to use funding to support local programs and initiatives that meet the CHNA’s guiding principles. The Greater Brockton CHNA serves the communities of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. For more information, visit the website at www.preventionworks.org.

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, their families and caregivers in 23 towns 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.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

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