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Old Colony Elder Services

$5 Fundraising Calendars Help Local Seniors in Crisis Situations

In an effort to raise money for seniors in crisis situations, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, is now offering Fundraising Calendars for $5 each.

Fundraising calendars are available throughout November, December and January. Proceeds from the calendars go towards food, fuel and medications for seniors who are on a fixed income and in a crisis situation. A total of $1,700 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.

To obtain a Fundraising Calendar, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 or send an email to LDallaire@oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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.

$5 Fundraising Calendars Help Local Seniors in Crisis SituationsRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Holds Annual Luncheon

Bernice Bennet, Nicolina Previtti, and Phyllis Hancock, board members at Old Colony Elder Services who were part of the reception committee for the Annual Luncheon.

175 guests and staff attended Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) Annual Luncheon held at the Shaw’s Center in Brockton on October 19th. Julie Murphy, President of the OCES Board of Directors, welcomed everyone, introduced the Executive Committee and acknowledged all other Directors.

OCES’ Executive Director, Diana DiGiorgi thanked staff for their work during the past year and elaborated upon several accomplishments over the past year which included the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ re-designation of OCES as an Aging Services Access Point and OCES’ response submission having been evaluated as one of the best in the Commonwealth.

Sue Joss, Chief Executive Officer of the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center (BNHC), also located in Brockton, was the guest speaker. She talked about the 16 year history of the health center and the extraordinary growth they have experienced. Earlier this month, the BNHC received an $11.3 million federal grant for building expansion.

Service awards were presented to several OCES staff for 10 years (Dorothy Slack and Jacqui Sullivan); 15 years (Dorothy Crane, Isabel Sims, Eleanor Strangis, Michele Wall and Susan Weiner); 25 years (Tim Valentine); and 30 years (Linda Burroughs).

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts.

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

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Old Colony Elder Services Announces “Stress & The Caregiver” Seminar on November 4th

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) will hold a “Stress & The Caregiver” seminar on Thursday, November 4th at 7 p.m. at the Kingston Public Library, 6 Green Street in Kingston. OCES is an Aging Services Access Point headquartered in Brockton and serves seniors and caregivers in 23 towns south of Boston.

This free “Stress & The Caregiver” seminar will be led by Rochelle Sugarman, Family Caregiver Support Program Supervisor at OCES. This seminar offers education and guidance to help caregivers better manage stress.

To RSVP or for questions, contact Rochelle Sugarman at 508-584-1561.

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.

Old Colony Elder Services Announces “Stress & The Caregiver” Seminar on November 4thRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Announces New Congregate Meal Site at The Woodlands in Plympton

From left to right- Josselyn Holmes (resident at complex), Sandra Henry, Plympton Director of Council on Aging, and Joe Freitas, Plympton Selectman at the recent opening of Old Colony Elder Services' new congregate meal site at The Woodlands in Plympton.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) has announced the opening of a new congregate meal site at The Woodlands elderly complex located at 165 Country Road in Plympton.

The new meal site will provide meals to elders who reside within the complex, which is made up of 40 apartments. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, meals will be served in the congregate. Since OCES does not yet have a Meal Site Manager for Fridays, meals will temporarily be delivered to each apartment.

“This is a start. Our long-term goal for The Woodlands congregate meal site is to be open five days a week and invite all Plympton seniors to participate,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

The number of seniors throughout the area in need of meals is growing. OCES supports these seniors by providing healthy meals to them through the Nutrition Program’s congregate meal sites and Meals on Wheels. OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts.

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.

Old Colony Elder Services Announces New Congregate Meal Site at The Woodlands in PlymptonRead More

Old Colony Elder Services To Hold Disease Self-Management Program for Elders & Caregivers Beginning October 18th

Arthritis, diabetes and heart disease are illnesses and chronic conditions that affect seniors at a much higher rate than younger adults. One in three people over the age of 65 experience a fall each year. Two out of 10 people over the age of 60 have diabetes. 70 percent of Americans die from a chronic disease each year.

In light of this, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is helping seniors take charge of their own health through the My Life, My Health Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), which is a community workshop designed to give people with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, etc.) and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their health care.

The first six-week session begins Monday, October 18 from 10 a.m. To 12:30 p.m. and will be held at the Brockton Council on Aging, located at 10 Father Kenney Way in Brockton. The program is facilitated by Old colony Elder Services’ staff who are trained leaders dealing with a chronic disease themselves or are living with chronic disease.

The workshops teach seniors how to deal with issues such as frustration, pain, isolation, and fatigue. Seniors learn how to exercise to improve strength and endurance, and how to improve nutrition by healthier eating. They will also learn how to set goals, use medications properly and speak effectively with doctors or other health care professionals.

The My Life, My Health program is FREE and lunch will be provided each week. Seating is limited.

To sign up for the program, contact Janice Fitzgerald at 508-580-7811.

Dorothy Slack, Rochelle Sugarman, Lauren Murphy and Rick Alvarnaz of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) have been certified as Leaders through the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), My Life, My Health sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Duxbury, Middleborough and New Bedford Senior Centers. OCES now has a License from Stanford University to present 10 CDSMP.

“Disease self-management programs emphasize the senior’s role in managing their illness and building self-confidence so they can be successful in adopting healthier behaviors. By empowering seniors, we are helping to ensure that they are able to continue living at home as opposed to living in an institution,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES. She continued, “We would like to thank the Brockton Council on Aging for sharing their space with us so we can run this essential program.”

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.

Old Colony Elder Services To Hold Disease Self-Management Program for Elders & Caregivers Beginning October 18thRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Announces Caregiver 101 Program in Kingston on Sept. 30th

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) will hold a Caregiver 101 seminar on Thursday, September 30,2010 at 7 p.m. at the Kingston Public Library, 6 Green Street in Kingston. OCES is an Aging Services Access Point headquartered in Brockton and serves seniors and caregivers in 23 towns south of Boston.

OCES is offering a free “Caregiver 101” seminar which will be led by Rochelle Sugarman, Family Caregiver Support Program Supervisor at OCES. This seminar offers education and guidance to help caregivers broaden their awareness about resources, services, and programs; increase their knowledge on how to find and access services; and help them enhance their health and well being while managing caregiver responsibilities.

To RSVP or for questions, contact Rochelle Sugarman at 508-584-1561

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.

Old Colony Elder Services Announces Caregiver 101 Program in Kingston on Sept. 30thRead More