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Mass Home Care

Multi-Town March for Meals a Success

State Representative Keiko Orrall delivers a meal to Elin Young
State Representative Keiko Orrall delivers a meal to Elin Young

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities, recently organized a “March For Meals” in Middleboro, Plymouth and Stoughton.

March for Meals is part of Meals On Wheels Association of America’s national campaign.  Elected officials from the three communities along with OCES and Council on Aging representatives delivered meals to 25 recipients in their respective communities to show support for this vital program.

In Middleboro, State Representative Keiko Orrall and Tim Valentine, Assistant Executive Director of OCES, delivered meals to local seniors.

In Plymouth, Selectman Mathew Muratore, Conni DiLego, Director of Plymouth Council on Aging and Tim Valentine, Assistant Executive Director of OCES, delivered meals to seniors.

In Stoughton, Selectmen John Anzivino and Cynthia Walsh joined Christine McLaren, Community Programs Manager of OCES and Karen Hall, Director of Stoughton Council on Aging, delivering meals to Stoughton seniors.

“It’s an honor to have local officials participate in our March for Meals event. Throughout the area, many seniors are homebound and unable to manage their grocery shopping or attend one of our congregate meal sites.  The Meals On Wheels program is 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 seniors living alone,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

The Meals On Wheels program serves individuals age 60 and over who are unable to prepare their own meals.  Both the Home Delivered (Meals On Wheels) program and the Congregate Meal sites rely on the assistance of our many volunteers.

Meals On Wheels volunteers and donations are needed. For more information about volunteering, contact OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator at (508) 584-1561. Donations to support OCES’ Nutrition Program may be sent to: Old Colony Elder Services, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.

About Meals On Wheels Association of America
The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the only national association and network dedicated solely to ending senior hunger in America. MOWAA is the oldest and largest organization composed of and representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 states as well as the U.S. territories. MOWAA’s vision is to end senior hunger by 2020. To obtain more information about MOWAA or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website at www.mowaa.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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Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Health Care Leaders Highlight the Mass Home Care Annual Event

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers, recently announced that Mass Home Care will hold its 31st Annual Meeting on Monday, June 16th at 11:30 am at the Burlington Marriott, One Burlington Mall Road. Health care reform affecting the state’s 1.3 million elderly residents is on the agenda.

The group’s event will feature: Congresswoman Katherine Clark; David Seltz, Executive Director of the state’s Health Policy Commission; Lois Simon, President of the managed care provider Commonwealth Care Alliance; Senator Patricia Jehlen of Somerville, Elder Affairs Senate Chair; and Representative James O’Day of West Boylston, Elder Affairs House Chair.

“This gathering brings together a freshman Member of Congress, the head of the state’s newest health care regulator, the President of a prominent managed care company serving older adults and disabled people, and the two chairs of the legislature’s Elderly Affairs Committee,” said Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care.

“We are looking forward to Mass Home Care’s annual event which will highlight health care reform, particularly the accomplishments made and the issues that still need to be addressed,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services.

Mass Home Care will also present its annual Community Care Linkages award to four health care practitioners who have helped bridge the gulf between health care and long term support services for older adults: Andrey Ostrovsky, M.D, CEO of Care At Hand, Pediatric Resident, Boston Medical Center;  Cheryl A. Warren, R.N., of Hallmark Health; Richard Balaban, M.D., Cambridge Health Alliance; and Marilyn Wright, R.N., Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization.

About Mass Home Care

Founded in 1983, Mass Home Care has helped shift the focus of elder care from institutions to the community. A network of 30 independent care coordination agencies, Mass Home Care wrote the state law that says seniors have the right to receive care in the “least restrictive setting”. Family members can be paid as personal care attendants because of the advocacy of Mass Home Care. The group has expanded the range and scope of home care services in the Commonwealth, adding care options and funding to ensure that even people needing 24/7 supports can live at home. Mass Home Care member agencies manage the daily care for more than 75,000 elders and individuals with disabilities, and investigate reports of elder abuse on behalf of the Commonwealth.

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.

 

Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Health Care Leaders Highlight the Mass Home Care Annual EventRead More

$110 Million Federal Grant Will Increase Community First Options For Older Adults and People with Disabilities

A $110.6 million grant has been awarded from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) expand and enhance the Commonwealth’s community-based long term services and supports system for elders and individuals with disabilities. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities, is pleased with this news because the much needed funding will help ensure long-term home care needs will be addressed.

The grant award comes from CMS’s Balancing Incentive Program (BIP), a part of the Affordable Care Act, which provides enhanced federal funds to states that enrich their long-term care system. States participating in BIP are required to spend at least 50 percent of their federal funding on non-institutional community-based, Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) by September 2015.

According to Mass Home Care, the Community First/Olmstead Plan of 2007 established a road map that has been guiding the development of increased access to person-centered information and self-directed services for people in need of LTSS. BIP provides another major opportunity toward full access for all populations in need of LTSS.

“We applaud the Administration for expanding its Community First effort, while at the same time, increasing federal matching funds to the state,” said Mass Home Care Executive Director Al Norman. “Elders want a chance to live out their days at home. BIP will provide more funding to honor that desire.”

“This funding is of great significance as it will support the dignity and independence of elders and people with disabilities by helping them receive essential services to maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services.

Per Mass Home Care, the Governor’s FY’15 budget proposal also includes a $16.9 million expansion of the Commonwealth’s Home Care Program and $1.3 million to expand the Supportive Housing Program from 31 to 41 sites, to allow public housing residents to age in place in an “assisted-living” environment. Over the last decade, Massachusetts has demonstrated a 62 percent increase in length of stay in Elder Affairs Community First programs, helping eliminate or delay long-term facility placement for thousands of residents.

“This funding is an affirmation of our commitment to making community-based services a reality for our most vulnerable residents. I thank the Obama Administration for their partnership in providing our seniors and individuals with disabilities the support they need to live comfortably,” said Governor Deval Patrick in a Mass Home Care press release.

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

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Patrick Administration Proposes $2.1 Million Cut In Elderly Home Care Rates

A statewide elder advocacy group will testify this Friday that the Patrick Administration has proposed “unreasonable” rate cuts that will cut $2.1 million in support for home care for low-income seniors—at a time when more than 2,200 elders are on a wait list for care.

Al Norman, the Executive Director of Mass Home Care, will testify on Friday, September 7th before the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy in Boston, that its proposed rates are “unreasonable and inadequate.”

“We should be investing more money to keep elders at home,” Norman said, “not less.”

According to Mass Home Care, there are currently roughly 2,200 elders on home care waiting lists due to insufficient funding. This year, home care accounts are $15 million lower than in FY 2009. Old Colony Elder Services, the regional Aging Services Access Point covering Brockton and 22 surrounding communities, currently has 173 people on wait lists who cannot access needed services per Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director.

The rate hearing Friday is part of the implementation of Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2008, which requires the Administration to pay human services agencies rates which are “reasonable and adequate to meet the costs which are incurred by efficiently and economically operated social service program providers.” Mass Home Care says the Administration’s proposal “undermines the purpose of upgrading rates for human services programs.”

“Chapter 257 was written by human services advocates,” Norman said. “The whole point of the law was to give programs the money needed to run an efficient program. These proposed rates are not based on any analysis of the true cost of providing care to the elderly.”

The cuts to home care are based on a DHCFP methodology that uses expenses from fiscal year 2010. But such expenditures are backed into based on an annual appropriation level—not on an actual build-up of what it costs to run a program.

According to Mass Home Care’s own calculations, the home care Case Management rates should be increased by 8.6 percent over current levels—not cut by 4.5 percent.

Norman said the Patrick Administration has presided over one of the largest cuts in home care appropriations in the history of the program.

“For a state that touts its ‘community first’ approach to senior care,” Norman concluded, “seniors have lost millions of dollars in state support—at a time the population in need is growing faster than the rest of the population. The Governor should commit to growing these community programs—not shrinking them.”

SEE ATTACHED TESTIMONY

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.

Patrick Administration Proposes $2.1 Million Cut In Elderly Home Care RatesRead More

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.

Old Colony Elder Services Concerned Over Soaring Home Care Wait ListRead More

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.

Dukakis Reflects on 40 Years of Home CareRead More

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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State Lawmakers Heat Up Fuel FundRead More

Senate President Therese Murray Speaks at Old Colony Elder Services Legislative Breakfast

Senator Therese Murray was the keynote speaker at a recent Legislative Breakfast hosted by Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) and held at the John Carver Inn in Plymouth. Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) is a non-profit corporation which serves residents in 23 towns in the greater Brockton and Plymouth areas. OCES is one of 27 similar agencies designated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP).

More than 60 individuals from a number of elder service agencies were in attendance along with State Representatives Vinny DeMacedo, Susan Gifford and Tom Calter; Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr.; and OCES’ Board of Directors. Plymouth Selectman Mathew Muratore, Caitlin Kenerson from Representative Christine Canavan’s office, and Lisa Budge Johnson from Sheriff McDonald’s office also attended. Senate President Murray spoke of the challenges to human service agencies delivering services to elders and disabled individuals in the current economic climate and she elaborated on how the Fiscal 2011 budget will impact funding for the upcoming year.

“We’re in a tough economic climate and seniors are especially at risk,” noted Senator Murray addressing OCES and elder service representatives in the audience. “We’re doing the best we can and we thank you for all you do.”

A member of the Massachusetts State Senate since 1993 and elected President of the Senate in 2007, Senator Murray has worked to improve the lives of seniors throughout her career. Following her speech, Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care presented Senator Murray with a “Home Care Hero” award.

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES who is also the Vice President of Mass Home Care said, “We want to thank Senator Murray for everything she has done and continues to do for elder consumers.”

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit 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; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES offers these programs in the towns of 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 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Senate President Therese Murray Speaks at Old Colony Elder Services Legislative BreakfastRead More