Old Colony Elder Services

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

September 6, 2012 // by admin

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

OCES serves elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers in 23 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Old Colony Elder Services Outlines the Signs of Dehydration and Shares Recommendations

August 6, 2012 // by admin

OCES DiGiorgi — Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director

Should dehydration concern elders?

Yes, according to Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth County.

“Dehydration is a major cause of elders being hospitalized. Many infections in elders have been linked to dehydration and, if not diagnosed early enough, the mortality rate can be as high as 50 percent. One of the factors that can cause loss of fluids is hot and humid summer weather,” states Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Seniors have about 10 percent less fluid content in their bodies than younger adults. When the body doesn’t have enough water and electrolytes to carry out normal functions, dehydration is a health risk. If the body becomes dehydrated, there is a decrease in total blood volume, which causes constriction of blood vessels, resulting in an increase in the heart rate. Without sufficient blood the heart is unable to pump efficiently, resulting in a decrease in the amount of blood to the brain, liver, and kidneys. Left untreated, dehydration will eventually result in failure of multiple organs and ultimately death.

Dehydration can also be caused by side effects from medications such as diuretics and laxatives. Other medical conditions like high blood sugar, heat exhaustion, and sometimes exercising, can cause dehydration. Some elders develop swallowing disorders which will greatly impact their intake of fluid. Some may even decrease their intake of fluid because of the fear of incontinence.

DiGiorgi explained, “The signs of dehydration can be very similar to dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms, such as confusion, muscle weakness, constipation, sunken eyes, dizziness, pneumonia, low blood pressure and increased heart rate.”

A good way to monitor dehydration of an elder is to monitor his/her body weight on a daily basis. Dehydration is mild if the weight loss is reduced by 2 percent; it is severe if there is a 5 percent (or more) loss of body weight.

OCES shares these recommendations for detecting, avoiding and treating dehydration:

· If an older person shows minor signs of dehydration, provide water and encourage the person to drink it. Also encourage replenishment of electrolytes, found in fruit juices, sports drinks, milk, and many fruits and vegetables, like potatoes and avocados.

· In case of severe dehydration, the person should receive medical help. Some complications of dehydration are kidney failure, coma, shock, electrolyte abnormalities, and other heat related diseases.

· Older adults should drink 8 glasses of water per day. Juices and soda do not count—just plain drinking water. Seniors should also choose foods that have high water content such as fresh fruits, vegetables, watermelon, yogurt, or Jell-O. They should be encouraged to drink often during the day, even though they do not feel thirsty.

· If you believe an elder you know may be at risk for dehydration, give them small amounts of fluid often, write down how much the person drinks and eats, make sure their room is not too hot or cold, and make certain that he/she is wearing the right kind of clothes for the temperature in the room.

Dehydration is a preventable illness that can be very dangerous if not treated.

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Old Colony Elder Services Concerned Over Soaring Home Care Wait List

July 23, 2012 // by admin

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.”

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Dukakis Reflects on 40 Years of Home Care

June 11, 2012 // by admin

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.

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Old Colony Elder Services Outlines New Health Reform Protection for the Elderly and People with Disabilities

May 29, 2012 // by admin

Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth County, outlines new health reform protection for the elders and people with disabilities.

Last week, the Massachusetts Senate adopted by voice vote an amendment to give elders and disabled individuals enrolled in managed care plans access to an independent long term supports and services (LTSS) coordinator.

The Senate version is slightly different from the House version, but both branches have endorsed the idea that seniors and people with disabilities should have someone on their care team who is not employed by or affiliated with the managed care company, and who can act as an independent “agent” for the managed care member.

This provision has been made part of the health reform legislation and will be part of a federal initiative known in Massachusetts as the ‘Integrated Care Organization’ plan. The ICO plan will affect as many as 115,000 low-income consumers in Massachusetts between ages 21 and 64 covered by Medicare and MassHealth. The ICO plan represents $2.5 billion worth of Medicare and Medicaid services in the Commonwealth.

According to the Senate amendment, the LTSS Coordinator’s responsibilities will include:

· Participating in initial and ongoing assessments of the health and functional status of the member, which includes determining appropriateness for long term care support and services.

· Arranging and coordinating the provision of appropriate institutional and community long term supports and services such as housing, home-delivered meals, transportation.

· Monitoring the appropriate provision and functional outcomes of community long term care services and tracking member satisfaction.

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES explained, “Having a long term support services coordinating agency that is financially independent from the managed care company ensures that there is no conflict of interest. The coordinating agency is an independent entity that can best advocate for the elder or person with disability.”

“This is a critical protection for members of managed care plans,” said Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care, a supporter of the measure. “Since people with disabilities enroll in these plans on a mandatory basis, they need assurance that someone is acting as their agent on their care team.”

The Senate LTSS amendment was sponsored by Senate Health Care Finance committee Vice Chairman, Senator Brian Joyce (D-Milton), with help from Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth), Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), and Senate Minority Whip Richard Ross (R-Wrentham).

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.

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Old Colony Elder Services to Set Up Information Booths at Supermarkets and Pharmacies On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

May 17, 2012 // by admin

Elder abuse is on the rise. Last year, Old Colony Elder Services’ Protective Services department staff assisted over 800 abused or neglected elders within the service area. OCES helps elders who have been victims of neglect or harm from a caregiver; types of abuse include physical, verbal, psychological and financial. To keep elders living safely in their homes, Protective Service Workers provide assessments, advocacy and resources.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Friday, June 15, 2012. OCES will have information booths set up at local pharmacies and supermarkets in Brockton, Stoughton, Plymouth, Rockland and Wareham. OCES’ Protective Services staff will provide educational and outreach materials and be available to answer questions.

“We are taking a local outreach approach by setting up information booths in a few of our communities with the goals of increasing public awareness about what constitutes elder abuse, how to recognize it and how to assist elders in need,” noted Diana L. DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Information booths will be set up from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the following locations:

• Walmart, 700 Oak Street, Brockton MA

• Stop & Shop, 683 Belmont Street, Brockton MA

• Walmart, 300 Colony Place Road, Plymouth MA

• Walgreens, 413 Washington Street, Stoughton MA

• Walgreens, 75 Market Street, Rockland MA

• Stop & Shop, 2991 Cranberry Highway, Wareham MA

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, OCES staff will be wearing purple ribbons; everyone is encouraged to wear something purple to show their support to end elder abuse and neglect.

To report suspected elder abuse or neglect, contact OCES’ Protective Services at (508) 584-1561, or the statewide Elder Abuse Hotline at 800-922-2275.

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.

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Old Colony Elder Services Announces Class for Family Caregivers Beginning May 2nd

April 10, 2012 // by admin

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, is offering a “Powerful Tools For Caregivers” six-week educational program for family caregivers.

Designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend, the class meets on Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Stoughton Council on Aging located at 110 Rockland Street. The class begins May 2, 2012 and concludes on June 6, 2012.

There is no fee to attend.

Family caregivers who are caring for a parent, spouse, friend or someone who lives at home, in assisted living/nursing home or across the country can benefit from this class.

Attendees will learn how to reduce stress; communicate more effectively; take care of themselves; reduce guilt, anger and depression; set goals and problem-solve. They will also receive a complimentary copy of the Caregiver Helpbook.

Class size is limited and registration is required. Call Rochelle Sugarman, Family Caregiver Support Program Supervisor and Class Leader, to register (508) 584-1561 ext 312.

This educational program is presented by OCES Family Caregiver Support Program and is sponsored by Stoughton Council on Aging.

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.

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A Second Home Care Wait List Starts Today – 1,100 seniors already waiting

March 1, 2012 // by admin

As if 1,100 elders on the Enhanced Community Options Program (ECOP) wait list were not bad enough, Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) were officially notified that a second wait list will be imposed beginning today.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) and 26 other ASAPs (non-profit agencies designated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts to coordinate and provide the home care programs for elders) have been notified by the state that another home care wait list for basic services will begin March 1st. The cutback had been anticipated for some time.

This home care basic wait list comes on top of an existing wait list of 1,100 elders who need a higher level of support through the ECOP, which is a program for elders who are eligible for nursing home care, but can be helped to live at home. The new wait list is also on the heels of the FY13 budget proposed by Governor Deval Patrick which will cut 242,000 meals for elders.

According to an instruction released today by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, elders with limited formal/informal supports and a critical unmet need of grocery shopping, along with elders who have a critical unmet need of meal preparation will not get into the home care program.

For OCES, the Brockton-based regional elder services agency serving seniors their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, this latest cutback means an estimated 60 more elders will not receive services this year.

According to Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ executive director, “OCES already has 47 elders on its ECOP wait list. In addition, the loss of funding in the meals program would mean that 12,000 fewer meals are delivered across our 23 communities next year.”

In January, the state estimated that it would cost $3.8 million additional in FY2012 to end the ECOP wait list. The basic home care program is currently $1.4 million in deficiency. By June of 2012, it is estimated that almost 1,200 elders will be on the basic home care wait list. That means 2,500 seniors could be waiting for home care and ECOP services by the close of this fiscal year.

Al Norman, executive director of Mass Home Care, said “Community based services like home care are saving state and federal taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Compared to 2001, the state has saved 3.6 million Medicaid-funded patient days in nursing homes, as more elders are diverted home instead.”

The Commonwealth has avoided an estimated $592 million this year through lowered institutional utilization. “This is the ‘home care dividend’ that should be invested back in community care,” Norman said.

There is no waiting list for nursing facility care in Massachusetts; in fact there is a 13% vacancy rate in nursing facilities. Adjusted for inflation, the state home care program has lost $23 million in funding since 2009, according to the Mass Budget & Policy Center.

“If we are squeezing down the home care program today, what are we going to say to the baby boomers when they need care in the future?” Norman asked. Today in Massachusetts, one in four households (653,103 households) has someone over the age of 65. 19% of the state’s population is over 60—and seniors are the fastest growing age group over the next twenty years.

“The Administration likes to say we are a ‘Community First’ state,” Norman concluded. “With these cuts, it looks like a ‘Wait First’ state.”

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.

A Second Home Care Wait List Starts Today – 1,100 seniors already waitingRead More

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

January 27, 2012 // by admin

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.”

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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