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Meals on Wheels

Old Colony Elder Services Announces Family Caregiver Workshop on June 12th in Whitman

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers, is holding an “It’s About Time” workshop on Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Whitman Council on Aging, 16 Hayden Avenue in Whitman.

The “It’s About Time” workshop is a free event for family caregivers of older adults and grandparents raising grandchildren. Caregivers are taught techniques and strategies for managing their time and reducing stress. Topics covered include meal preparation, time management and relaxation techniques.

This workshop is offered in partnership with the Whitman Council on Aging. Funding is provided through a generous grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

“The ‘It’s About Time’ workshop teaches caregivers the much-needed strategies which help them to avoid burnout and remain physically and emotionally healthy while they provide essential caregiving services,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director at OCES.

There is no cost to attend the workshop and a companion book will be provided free of charge.  Attendees will also enjoy complimentary lunch and raffles. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.

To register, contact Rochelle Sugarman, Outreach and Education Specialist in the Family Caregiver Support Program at OCES (508) 584-1561 extension 312.

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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Old Colony Elder Services Promotes Elizabeth DosSantos to Senior Care Options Program Manager

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities, has promoted Elizabeth DosSantos to Senior Care Options (SCO) Program Manager.

In her new role, Ms. DosSantos will oversee the SCO Supervisors working with the Geriatric Support Services Coordinators. She will be responsible for training, ensuring compliance, and clarifying procedures among other managerial duties. The SCO program seeks to ensure that elder participants can remain living safely in the community as long as possible. As a certified interpreter in Portuguese and Cape Verdean languages, Ms. DosSantos is a valuable member of the SCO department and OCES management.

Prior to OCES, Ms. DosSantos worked part-time as a Residential Counselor at BAMSI in Brockton for 1.5 years. She began working at OCES in 2006 as an intern. In 2007, she was hired as Geriatric Support Services Coordinator and, in 2010, was promoted to SCO Program Supervisor.

Ms. DosSantos, a Brockton resident, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management at Cambridge College. She is also pursuing her license in social work (LSW).

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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Old Colony Elder Services Offers Calcium & Osteoporosis Workshop on May 12th

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers, is offering a Calcium & Osteoporosis Workshop on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. at Belair Towers, 105 Belair St. in Brockton.

This free workshop will cover the connections between calcium and osteoporosis and will include such topics as: osteoporosis and what it means to you; how to read food labels; Vitamin D and bones; calcium consumption and the foods you eat.

The workshop will be led by Donna-Marie Forand, Outreach and Education Specialist at OCES. Ms. Forand is a Master Trainer in Evidence-Based Programs, including Chronic Disease Self Management, Diabetes Self Management, Chronic Pain Self Management and Healthy Eating.

For more information or to register for this free workshop call Linda Marshall-Bibby at Belair Towers, 508-427-9166.

If you are interested in holding this or other workshops at your site, contact Donna-Marie Forand at 508-584-1561, extension 237.

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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Old Colony Elder Services Announces Lower Sodium Workshop on May 19th

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers, will hold a workshop entitled “Sodium and the Effects On Your Blood Pressure” on Monday, May 19, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Brockton Council on Aging (COA), 10 Father Kenney Way in Brockton.

This free workshop will cover such topics as:  how to measure your blood pressure; what are some causes of high blood pressure; what foods are high sodium; and why reading food labels is important.

The workshop will be led by Donna-Marie Forand, Outreach and Education Specialist at OCES. Ms. Forand is a Master Trainer in Evidence-Based Programs, including Chronic Disease Self Management, Diabetes Self Management, Chronic Pain Self Management and Healthy Eating.

For more information or to register for this free workshop call Michelle Brace at the Brockton COA, 508-580-7811.

If you are interested in holding this or other workshops at your site, contact Donna-Marie Forand at 508-584-1561, extension 237.

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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Keeping Pets & their People Together – Old Colony Elder Services Receives Pet Food Distribution Grant

Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has recently received a Pet Food Distribution Grant from Banfield Charitable Trust.

Low-income seniors are among America’s millions struggling with hunger and food insecurity. Many seniors and individuals with disabilities receive nutritious daily meals through OCES’ Meals On Wheels program. In an effort to keep seniors and their beloved pets well nourished, OCES now also provides nutrition support for their pets.

For nearly a decade, Banfield Charitable Trust has been working to keep pets and their people together. The Banfield Grant enables OCES to purchase pet food and distribute to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, so that they can continue to care for their pets in their home. Essentially, OCES’ Meals On Wheels recipients are assured nutritious daily meals AND now their pets can receive nutritional support.

“What we have found is that elders will often feed their pets before they feed themselves. We’re working to identify and meet the needs of low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities who have pets,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

To learn more about the program, contact OCES’ Nutrition Department at (508) 584-1561.

About Banfield Charitable Trust

Banfield Charitable Trust provides grants to nonprofit organizations and nonprofit hospices to support their efforts to keep pets and people together. Pet food distribution program grants provide financial support to nonprofit organizations and Meals On Wheels Associations of America (MOWAA) members to fund expenses associated with starting or maintaining a pet food distribution program. For more information, visit www.banfieldcharitabletrust.org.

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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First Annual Plymouth County Senior Spectacular Expo on June 20, 2013

The Plymouth Networking Group, an organization of business professionals committed to providing care to seniors and other individuals in the Greater Plymouth area, announces the First Annual Plymouth County Senior Spectacular Expo to be held on June 20, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plymouth Council on Aging, 44 Nook Road. The Senior Spectacular Steering Committee members include: 2 Sisters Senior Living Advisors; Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department; Old Colony Elder Services; North River Home Care; Age in Place New England; Life Care Center of Plymouth; EasCare Ambulance Service; Visiting Angels; Spaulding Rehabilitation Network; Cahoon Care; and Gentiva Home Health.

Seniors, their families and caregivers are invited to explore, connect and enjoy this free event which will showcase senior resource agencies and dozens of vendors offering services of interest to seniors such as organizing and relocation services, legal and financial resources, senior travel specialists, pet-sitting and other in-home service options. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department will be able to provide Senior ID’s as well as present information on Identity Theft and Scams. Reiki, vision and hearing screenings and other demonstrations will round out this exciting event.

Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in raffles and enjoy refreshments including a complimentary box lunch. For more information please visit: www.plymouthnetworking.com or contact Beth Hadfield at the Plymouth Council on Aging at (508) 830-4230.

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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Old Colony Elder Services Announces Multi-Community “Mayors for Meals ” A Huge Success

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti delivered a meal to Diane Damon

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), recently held Mayors For Meals in the communities of Brockton, East Bridgewater, Plymouth and Stoughton.

Mayors For Meals is part of the Meals On Wheels Association of America’s March For Meals national campaign. Elected officials, law enforcement officers, Council On Aging (COA) Directors and OCES representatives from the four communities participated in the event to show their support for their community’s homebound and hungry seniors.

OCES’ Mayors For Meals event was held on Wednesday, March 20th in Brockton and Stoughton. Mayor Linda M. Balzotti and Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES, delivered noon-time meals to Brockton area seniors. Selectman John Anzivino, Karen Hall, Director of Stoughton COA and Courtney Niebauer, Nutrition Program Manager at OCES, delivered the meals in Stoughton.

On March 21st, Mayors For Meals was held in East Bridgewater. Police Chief John Cowan, Sergeant Steve Brown and Officer Tallitha Connor of East Bridgewater Police along with Nancy Hill, Director of East Bridgewater COA; Timothy Valentine, Assistant Executive Director of OCES; and Courtney Niebauer, Nutrition Program Manager of OCES, delivered the noon time meals.

Mayors For Meals was held on March 26th in Plymouth. Chairman of Plymouth Selectman Matt Muratore along with Constance DiLego, Director of Plymouth COA and Timothy Valentine, Assistant Executive Director of OCES, delivered the meals to Plymouth seniors.

“We’re very fortunate that many of our elected officials, law enforcement and COA Directors were able to participate in our Mayors For Meals event, which encompassed four communities,” said DiGiorgi.

She continued, “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 seniors living alone.”

The Meals On Wheels program serves individuals age 60 and over. Both the Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on help from volunteers. For more information contact the OCES Nutrition Department at (508) 584-1561.

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 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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Old Colony Elder Services Promotes Amanda Frates, LCSW to Adult Family Care Program Manager

Amanda Frates, LCSW

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, has promoted Amanda Frates, LCSW to the position of Adult Family Care (AFC) Program Manager.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ms. Frates previously held the position of AFC Program Care Manager at OCES for three years. In her new role as AFC Program Manager, she will oversee the entire AFC Program including quality assurance, administration and outreach as well as care management. Ms. Frates will manage the program’s supervisory and administrative staff.

Ms. Frates has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bridgewater State University and a Master of Social Work from Boston University. She is a resident of East Taunton.

OCES’ AFC program is a sensitive and economical alternative for persons who are faced with the prospect of no longer being able to manage alone. Call OCES for more information.

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 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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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Barbara Kosovske, M.Ed. as Program Manager

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, has recently promoted Barbara Kosovske, M.Ed. to Senior Care Options (SCO) Program Manager.

In her new position, Ms. Kosovske will oversee the OCES SCO Program (primarily Senior Whole Health, United Health Care and NaviCare plans) and manage the SCO supervisory staff. Barbara has extensive knowledge and experience with this program working as Care Manager and most recently as SCO Program Supervisor.

A former Registered Nurse, Ms. Kosovske has worked in the non-profit sector for many years. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Columbia College, South Carolina and a Master of Education from University of South Carolina. She is a resident of Canton.

Senior Care Options is a partnership between MassHealth and Medicare that provides an integrated and complete package of health care and social services for low-income seniors.

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 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 Appoints Barbara Kosovske, M.Ed. as Program ManagerRead More