Unleash the Power of The Press

OCES

Old Colony Elder Services Launches New Program at Campello Building in Brockton

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, recently kicked off a “Healthy Living at Home” program for senior residents at Campello High Rise in Brockton.

In an event held on December 18th that included refreshments and raffles, Old Colony Elder Services in conjunction with Senior Whole Health of Cambridge, Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) of Boston and the Brockton Housing Authority officially launched the “Healthy Living at Home” program at the Campello building.

Residents were able to learn more about OCES, Senior Whole Health and JFCS and the various resources and programs that are available to them through these organizations.

Alison Books of JFCS brought healthy cookies to the event to create awareness about the “Healthy Eating” nutrition program that JFCS offers. Nicole DaSilva, who is the Supportive Housing Specialist at OCES and who works on-site at Campello from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays each week, advised residents of the various educational and social programs available.

Each of the agencies will offer specific educational programs to all residents of the housing complex. One of the programs, a chronic disease self management program, will focus on diabetes. Other programs include fall prevention and the benefits of fitness.

“We had a terrific turnout at the event. Our goal was to create a better awareness among the residents at Campello of all the programs and resources that are available to them – from nutritional to educational and social programs,” explained Nicole Welch, Program Development Manager at OCES.

OCES offers a number of programs to better serve seniors, families and caregivers residing in Brockton and throughout the surrounding area. The programs include Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Family Caregiver Support; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

To learn more about the Healthy Living at Home program, contact Nicole Welch at OCES (508) 584-1561. To learn more about Senior Whole Health, visit their website at seniorwholehealth.com. For more information about JFCS, visit JFCSBoston.org.

About Old Colony Elder Services
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers 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.

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Launches New Program at Campello Building in BrocktonRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Treats Caregivers to a Special “Caregiver Night Out”

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) that serves Plymouth county as well as the towns of Avon, Easton and Stoughton, recently held a special “Caregiver Night Out” for 30 caregivers.

Caregiver Night Out, which was held in the Great Hall at Halifax Town Hall, enabled caregivers to socialize with other caregivers while enjoying a dinner and a special night of relaxation.

Three self-care practitioners: Joanne Salerno, a Certified Massage Therapist and Reiki Master; Debra Bunszel, a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master and Dee Davidson, a Certified Massage Therapist were on-hand that evening and treated each caregiver to Reiki, reflexology and a chair massage.

“Caring for an elderly loved one can be overwhelming, frustrating and exhausting. Caregivers give so much of their time and energy; they rarely stop to take time out for themselves. A ‘Caregiver Night Out’ gives them a special night to rest, enjoy a meal and socialize with others who are experiencing the same caregiver challenges,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year.

The typical family caregiver is a 46-year-old woman (who is married and employed) caring for her widowed mother who does not live with her. Approximately 60 percent of family caregivers are women. 17 percent of family caregivers are providing 40 hours of care a week or more (National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP).

To learn more about caregiver support, contact the Family Caregiver Support Program at OCES at (508) 584-1561.

About Old Colony Elder Services

Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers 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.

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the new website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Treats Caregivers to a Special “Caregiver Night Out”Read More

Old Colony Elder Services’ Fundraising Calendars Support Those Most in Need

In an effort to raise money for special services, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, is now offering Fundraising Calendars.

OCES Fundraising Calendars are available throughout December and January. They cost $5 each.  A total of $1,300 in cash prizes will be awarded beginning in February.  One winner will be selected per day. Cash prize values vary.  Winners will be notified by phone and posted
online at www.OldColonyElderServices.org.

All proceeds from the calendars go towards services that provide support for people in emergency crisis situations.  To obtain a Fundraising Calendar, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 or send an email to LDallaire@oldcolonyelderservices.org.

“We hope to raise at least $6,000 or more which we have earmarked specifically for those who are in crisis,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

About Old Colony Elder Services
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers 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.

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the new website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services’ Fundraising Calendars Support Those Most in NeedRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Encourages General Public to “Be a Santa to a Senior” this Holiday Season

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) that serves Plymouth county as well as the towns of Avon, Easton and Stoughton, is encouraging the general public to participate in the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program by providing a
gift to a senior in need.

Old Colony Elder Services, working in conjunction with Home Instead Senior Care, the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program sponsor, has identified approximately 170 isolated elders who otherwise would not receive a gift this holiday season.


Each of these seniors is represented by an ornament with their “wish list” on it.   The wish lists may include items such as postage stamps, clothing, a gift card to a grocery store, candy or other item. The ornaments adorn Christmas trees located at Duval’s Pharmacy at 571 Washington Street in Whitman and Southeast Medical Center on Route 18 in East Bridgewater.

To be a “Santa to a Senior”, simply select an ornament from one of the two trees and purchase a gift that is on that senior’s “wish list”.  Then, bring the gift (unwrapped) along with the ornament, back to the participating location from which the ornament was selected.

All the gifts will be collected by Home Instead Senior Care and a wrapping party will be held on December 16th.  Representatives from Home Instead Senior Care and OCES will help wrap and distribute the gifts to the seniors.

For questions about “Be a Santa to a Senior”, contact Susan Willis, Home Care Program Director at OCES (508) 584-1561.

About Old Colony Elder Services
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers 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.

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the new website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Encourages General Public to “Be a Santa to a Senior” this Holiday SeasonRead More