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OCES

5K Road Race/Walk in Kingston to Raise Funds for Meals on Wheels

In an effort to raise funds for the Meals on Wheels program that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout a service area of 23 communities in greater Plymouth County, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is holding their third annual family-friendly “Moving Heels for Meals on Wheels” 5K Road Race/Walk on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 9 a.m.

Team OCES encourages you to bring your family, friends, and colleagues to run/walk for a good cause! All funds raised support OCES’ vital Meals on Wheels program, which is part of their Nutrition Program. OCES delivers 1,600 nutritious meals a day to recipients in their Southeastern Massachusetts service area. These “Meals on Wheels” are planned by a nutritionist, and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, are delivered either to individual homes or to Community Dining Sites, which provide older adults opportunities for social interaction.

Race Day

The race begins at 9:00 a.m. at Silver Lake Regional Middle School, 256 Pembroke Street, Kingston, MA 02364. Online registration for the Moving Heels for Meals on Wheels 5K is $25 for adults; $20 for students age 11-18; $15 for children (age 10 and under); and children in carriages ride free.

Awards that will be presented include overall first, second and third male and female runners as well as first place male and female in the following age groups: 10 and under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.

Costume Contest

Children age 12 and under are encouraged to wear a food-themed costume (carrot, apple, etc.) that best represents healthy living and nutrition for a chance to win a special prize.

All participants will receive a gift bag and water will be provided. Register by Tuesday, April 17th to receive a race T-shirt.

Sponsors

OCES would like to thank the following 5K sponsors: MountainOne Bank, Lindley Food Services, BMC Health Net Plan/Well Sense Health Plan, Home Health Resources, Inc., AbbottCare, Greater Boston Home Health Care Services, S&M Transportation, Anodyne Homemaker Services, South Shore Bank, Paula M.P. Schlosser, Esq., Best of Care, and

Brockton Adult Day Health/The Mentor Network.  In addition, Sullivan Tire and

Mickey Adventures have provided prizes for the event.

For more information or to register, visit http://www.southshorerace.com/3rd-annual-moving-heels-for-meals-on-wheels-5k—april-29-2018.html

If you are unable to participate in Moving Heels for Meals on Wheels 5K, please consider supporting the program with a donation, visit www.ocesma.org/donations.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is 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 offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

 

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Old Colony Elder Services Invites Elected Officials to “March for Meals” Events in Brockton and Wareham

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, invites legislators and Council On Aging (COA) Directors to participate in two special “March for Meals” events in support of the vital Meals on Wheels program.

March for Meals is part of Meals On Wheels America’s national campaign held in March. Elected officials and COA Directors would participate in March for Meals by serving as wait staff at specific Community Dining Sites in Brockton and Wareham.

The first March for Meals event will be held on March 8, 2018 at the Community Dining site at Campello High Rise in Brockton. The event will be a celebration of Haiti and Cape Verde, featuring delicious cuisine.

The second March for Meals will be held on March 15, 2018 at Wareham COA congregate meal site. In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, a special meal of corned beef and cabbage will be served.

“This is the first year we are holding March for Meals events at Community dining sites. It’s a wonderful opportunity for many in our community to meet our elected officials and COA Directors,” said Nicole M. Long, CEO. “The Meals on Wheels program is essential to many older adults who are homebound, unable to prepare meals, manage their grocery shopping or able to attend one of our community dining sites. Through Meals on Wheels, they received a nutritious meal daily, as well as a friendly visit and safety check.”

Nutritious Meal & A Safety Check

One of OCES’ long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers recently came to the aid of an older adult who was near hypothermia after falling in an unheated breezeway of his home. The volunteer called 911 and ultimately, treatment was provided in time.

Long continued, “OCES is proud of all of our volunteers, and of our Meals on Wheels program that delivers well over a thousand meals a day.  Not only do our drivers deliver nutritious food, they deliver a warm smile and in some cases, a wellness check that results in a wonderful outcome.”

OCES’ Nutrition Program

As part of their Nutrition Program, OCES delivers 1,600 nutritious meals a day to older adults and individuals with disabilities living within 23 communities in greater Plymouth County. These “Meals on Wheels” are planned by a nutritionist, and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, are delivered either to individual homes or to Community Dining Sites, which provide older adults opportunities for social interaction.

MOW 5K

OCES will hold their third annual Moving Heels for Meals on Wheels 5K Walk/Run on April 29, 2018. To sponsor or donate to this event, visit www.ocesma.org.

For more information about Meals on Wheels America, visit their website at mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is 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 offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Alexandra Strangis as Home Care Program Manager

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County, has promoted Alexandra Strangis, to Home Care Program Manager of Care Management.

Ms. Strangis will oversee Home Care Program Care Management supervisors and program assistants. She will be responsible for planning, organizing, managing and evaluating all care management aspects of Home Care program operations and staff. She will also ensure program integrity and regulatory compliance, as well as work with the Home Care Program Manager of Nursing Services to ensure coordination and collaboration within the program.  She reports directly to OCES’ Home Care Program Director, Alisa DeLage.

Ms. Strangis joined OCES in 2010 as a Care Manager, and in 2012 was promoted to Home Care Supervisor. In 2015, she was promoted to the position of Home Care Program Lead Supervisor which she held until this most recent promotion.

Ms. Strangis graduated from Stonehill College in Easton, MA with a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Administration. She completed her college internship at Senior Behavioral Health Center at the former Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, MA, now Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth.

Ms. Strangis is a lifelong resident of Brockton, MA.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is 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 offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Helping to Fill Fuel Tanks and More – Old Colony Elder Services Raises Over $7K for Emergency Fund

OCES Development Committee members: Paula Schlosser, Esq, West Bridgewater; Janice Fitzgerald, Director, Brockton COA; Gene Mazella, Director, Avon COA; Wendy Adams, Outreach Coordinator, West Bridgewater COA.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, raised $7,714 for their Emergency Fund program over the holiday season.

The fundraising effort for OCES’ Emergency Fund kicked off on #GivingTuesday, which was November 28, 2017, with the theme #SafeAndWarm. The campaign was carried through the end of the year, and raised $312 over last year’s total.

OCES employees also contributed – donating a total of $1,135 to the Emergency Fund during #GivingTuesday, which was then matched dollar for dollar (up to $1,000) by an anonymous private family foundation.

OCES’ Emergency Fund is essential in helping to meet the needs of at-risk low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities who are in a crisis or emergency circumstance that threatens their health and/or living situation. All too frequently, these individuals encounter problems that can jeopardize their ability to maintain independence, dignity and well-being.

OCES’ Emergency Fund supports dozens of consumers throughout the year faced with unforeseen emergency events, answering urgent needs such as filling an empty fuel tank, repairing a broken furnace, or providing life-sustaining medications.

With the number of individuals needing assistance increasing each year, OCES’ strives to add to the Emergency Fund’s capacity each year, so they can continue to make a critical difference in the lives of consumers served.

“We are extremely grateful to the individuals, families, and employees who donated and we also wish to extend our deep appreciation to the private family foundation for their generous match,” said Nicole M. Long, CEO.

Even though the fundraising campaign is over, donations to OCES’ Emergency Fund may be made at any time of the year by visiting www.ocesma.org or making a donation by check or money order and mailed to OCES, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301. OCES is recognized as a tax exempt charitable corporation under section 501c3 of the IRS tax code.

About OCES
Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is 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 offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Brenda Bernard Promoted to Home Care Program Manager at Old Colony Elder Services

Brenda Bernard

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County, has promoted Brenda Bernard, RN to Home Care Program Manager of Nursing Services.

Ms. Bernard, who is a registered nurse, will provide clinical oversight to OCES’ Home Care nursing staff and programs, which encompass Transition Support, Home Care, and the Clinical Assessment and Eligibility (CAE) departments. She will be responsible for ensuring compliance with funding source program regulations, providing public outreach and education, acting as a clinical liaison to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and responding to inquiries from community health agencies, hospitals and physicians in order to support and enhance coordinated care for OCES consumers. She reports directly to OCES’ Home Care Program Director, Alisa DeLage.

Prior to her promotion, Ms. Bernard was OCES’ RN Clinical Supervisor, overseeing Transition Support Registered Nurses and Home Care Registered Nurses. She has been performing CAE screens for OCES since 2013. This past year, she was welcomed to join the OCES Ethics Committee.

Before joining OCES, Ms. Bernard held positions as an Adult Family Care (AFC) Nurse Coordinator for Nonotuck Resource Associates in Plymouth and as a charge nurse at Bridgewater State Hospital. Additionally, she has over ten years of experience working in the healthcare industry in a skilled nursing facility and at South Shore Hospital where she was recognized with the SPIRITT Award.

A graduate of Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA, Ms. Bernard holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Massachusetts Boston where she graduated summa cum laude. While there, she joined the Golden Key International Honour Society, UMass Boston Chapter, and Sigma Theta Tau International, Theta Alpha Chapter, an honor society that recognizes nurses for their outstanding achievements in research and education. While pursuing her education, she offered seven years of service to Best Buddies Massachusetts as a volunteer E-Buddy.

Ms. Bernard is a resident of Brockton, MA.

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“Buried in Treasures” Facilitated Support Groups Begin in February and March at Brockton and Plymouth locations

Is clutter affecting you at home, at work or in your relationships? Do you need help dealing with compulsive acquiring, saving and hoarding?

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, along with the Greater Brockton Area Hoarding Task Force (GBAH) is offering “Buried in Treasures” – a series of facilitated support groups in Brockton and Plymouth for individuals with hoarding issues.

Hoarding is when individuals continue to accumulate items, such as clothing, newspapers and food, and then have persistent difficulty discarding possessions. Individuals with hoarding behaviors often face health issues related to falls, as well as run the risk of losing their homes.

“Buried in Treasures” support groups are free and will be offered weekly at the following locations:

In Brockton at South Bay Community Services, 103 Commercial Street, February 6 to May 22, 2018, (with two breaks and a final session on June 19) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information or to register for the Brockton support group, contact Amanda Lee 508-436-4438 or Kelly Mules at 508-580-4691.

In Plymouth, at the Center for Active Living (formerly the Plymouth Council On Aging), located at 44 Nook Road, March 6 to June 19, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information or to register for the Plymouth support group, speak with Deana Andrade at OCES, 508-584-1561 ext. 232.

“Buried in Treasures” is available to people of all ages throughout greater Plymouth county and surrounding communities. There is no cost to attend these confidential support groups. All attendees will receive a complimentary workbook. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

“Buried in Treasures is an educational, judgment-free, self-help group for people with hoarding issues,” explained Teresa Kourtz, OCES’ Protective Services Director. “During each session, individuals work through what might be clutter and what might be hoarding, utilizing the workbook to deal with acquisition, discarding, and disorganization.”

“Buried in Treasures” is sponsored by the GBAH, MassHousing and OCES. It is coordinated and facilitated by OCES in partnership with South Bay Community Services.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is 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 offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Old Colony Elder Services Announces “Music & Memory” Pilot Program

Many people with dementia respond very positively to music.  Music helps them to feel good and calm, and this in turn helps their caregivers.  Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County, has announced an exciting new pilot program for family caregivers of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, called Music & Memory.

 

OCES is now certified as a provider of Music & Memory personalized music program. Music & Memory was created by a non-profit organization that has conducted extensive research about the benefits of music. They have demonstrated that individualized playlists enhance the music experience for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia even more.

 

How the Program Works
OCES’ Family Caregiver Support Program will work with family caregivers of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia to develop playlists for their loved one and provide an iPod shuffle with a minimum of 100 songs, headsets, and training on how to use the iPod.

 

OCES’ Music & Memory program is funded by a grant, which enabled them to purchase all of the necessary equipment and train their staff for the program. OCES is offering this program on a limited basis to caregivers of adults of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

 

According to the Music & Memory website, “Favorite music or songs associated with important personal events can trigger memory of lyrics and the experience connected to the music. Beloved music often calms chaotic brain activity and enables the listener to focus on the present moment and regain a connection to others.”

 

“Research has shown there is a brain-music connection and that there are many benefits to personalized therapeutic music,” explained Christine McLaren of OCES. “We are excited to offer this special program to family caregivers and hope to roll-out the program on a larger scale early next year.”

 

Music & Memory Program Volunteers Needed
To further expand the program, OCES is seeking support through donations as well as volunteers to help catalogue and download songs to iPods.

 

Family caregivers and volunteers looking to learn more about this program may contact Christine McLaren of OCES at cmclaren@ocesma.org or call 508-584-1561 x309.

 

About Music & Memory
OCES is part of the network of Music & Memory certified organizations. Music & Memory is a non-profit organization that brings personalized music into the lives of the elderly or infirm through digital music technology, vastly improving quality of life. To learn more, visit https://musicandmemory.org

 

About OCES
Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is 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 offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

 

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Old Colony Elder Services’ employees hold drive to help those in need in Brockton and Plymouth

Miguel Fontes, Mathew Mangano, and Skyleen Lima of OCES with donated items for delivery to MainSpring House

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, are helping to support those who are experiencing homelessness this holiday season.

Led by OCES’ Protective Services (PS) and Money Management Program (MMP) team, OCES staff collected donations of socks and personal care items in an employee outreach drive held at OCES’ Brockton and Plymouth offices. The donations were delivered to MainSpring House shelters located at 54 North Main Street in Brockton and their new location on South Spooner Street in Plymouth.

“Each year, our Protective Services and Money Management Program team holds a drive to collect needed items for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community,” explained Teresa Kourtz, LSW, PS/MMP Director, who led the drive. “There are a number of people facing uncertain circumstances who are in need of emergency shelter. We strive to help by providing personal care necessities to those who don’t have ready access to these items.”

To learn more about MainSpring House, visit helpfbms.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is 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 offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Shop to Support Old Colony Elder Services this Holiday Season

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, offers consumers a way to support OCES during the holiday gift-giving season.

OCES is a registered charitable organization at AmazonSmile. Now, consumers can support OCES during the holiday season and beyond simply by shopping at  www.smile.amazon.com and selecting “Old Colony Elder Services” after signing in. A portion of the purchase price (0.5 percent of eligible AmazonSmile purchases) is automatically donated to OCES.

For quick access to OCES’ AmazonSmile page, visit www.ocesma.org/donations and simply click on the AmazonSmile icon.

“Shoppers can take advantage of the same Amazon pricing and specials,” noted Nicole Long, OCES’ Chief Executive Officer. “But when you shop through the Smile portal, Amazon donates their money, so there is no added cost to the shopper. We use their donation to support our Emergency Fund, Nutrition, and other programs that help our consumers live independent and healthy lives.”

OCES’ participation is in addition to its #GivingTuesday donation campaign, which is open from now until the end of 2017. Information on #GivingTuesday and how it helps the OCES Emergency Fund can be found on their website or by visiting www.givingtuesday.org

OCES’ Donation Options

Anyone wishing to make an online donation directly to OCES may do so on their website www.ocesma.org. If you wish to donate by check, kindly make it payable to OCES and mail it to 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.

When making a donation, there is the option of designating it to a certain program (such as OCES’ Emergency Fund, Nutrition or other program) or dedicating it in honor of, or in memory of, an individual or organization.

About AmazonSmile 

The AmazonSmile Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation created by Amazon to administer the AmazonSmile program. For more information, visit https://smile.amazon.com.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is 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 offers a number of programs to serve 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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