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Old Colony Elder Services

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

Staff and Board Members Recognized at Old Colony Elder Services’ Annual Luncheon

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton that provides valuable programs and services to seniors, their families and caregivers, held their Annual Luncheon last week. Several staff members and Board members were recognized for their years of service and commitment to the agency’s mission.

More than 180 people attended OCES’ Annual Luncheon held at the Shaw’s Center in Brockton. Attendees included Brockton Mayor James Harrington, State Representatives Geraldine Creedon, Christine Canavan, Louis Kafka and Allen McCarthy, and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz. Michael Festa, Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, gave the keynote speech commending staff and volunteers for their dedication and hard work on the behalf of elders and disabled people. He inspired attendees to rise to the challenging times ahead for all those in the human services field.

Staff members recognized for years of service included:

Brockton residents Phyllis Martin (10 years), Marguerite Sheridan (20 years), Paula Smyth (20 years) and Sandra Ivers (20 years); Jane Kamel of North Easton (10 years); Teresa Kourtz of Berkley (10 years); Susan Willis of Kingston (10 years); Sandra Mendes of Easton (15 years); Beverly Ferris of Bridgewater (15 years) and Jill Getchell of Whitman (20 years).

OCES has an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Those Board members serving for 10 years or more were also recognized. They included:

Eva Burton representing Hanson for 24 years; Dolores Kent, Easton, 24 years; Hazel Foley, Kingston, 22 years; Catherine Connors, East Bridgewater, 16 years; Patricia McCarthy, Whitman, 15 years; Marilyn Mansfield, Lakeville, 14 years; Julie Murphy, Carver, 13 years; Muriel Boyce, Kingston, 12 years; Norma Clark, Abington, 12 years; Maryellen Stevens, Halifax, 12 years; Caroline Taylor, Hanover, 12 years; Mary Willis, Pembroke, 12 years; Ted Lang, Middleboro and Member-at-Large, 11 years; Edward Malloy, Stoughton, 11 years; Phyllis Hancock, Brockton, 10 years and Bernadette Hemingway, Carver, with 10 years of service.

“Our volunteers tirelessly dedicate their time and expertise to help elders. We’re very fortunate to have such a terrific Board and great staff who go the distance to not only help elders, but to assist their colleagues and build good relationships with the community in general. They are amazing and certainly deserve recognition,” 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

Staff and Board Members Recognized at Old Colony Elder Services’ Annual LuncheonRead More

Old Colony Elder Services in Desperate Need of Meals on Wheels and Nutrition Volunteers

Many frail and home bound elders throughout the community rely on the Nutrition Program at Old Colony Elder Services, Inc. (OCES) in Brockton, a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) that provides valuable programs and services to elders, their families and caregivers.

But, the non-profit elder services agency needs more volunteers to help prepare and pack meals and deliver them to residents.

“We are in desperate need of Nutrition volunteers.  Right now we are stretched to the limit, with only a few volunteers trying to cover a number of delivery routes so every elder is ensured a healthy meal every day,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Nutrition volunteers are needed to set up, bag and distribute meals at congregate Nutrition Sites.  Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals to elders throughout the Plymouth county area. Drivers typically deliver 15-20 meals a day, between 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and are reimbursed for mileage.  Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, yet they may help out for any number of days per week that they
can.

OCES’ Nutrition Program is designed to enhance elders’ quality of life by providing nutritionally sound and satisfying meals. Because the Nutrition Program is primarily federally funded, there is no income-based test; all residents at least 60 years of age and those less than 60 but disabled are eligible.

Anyone who is able to volunteer at a meal site or deliver meals for two hours, at least one to two days a week, please contact the Nutrition Department at OCES at (508) 584-1561.

OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Caring Homes and Enhanced Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

About Old Colony Elder Services
Incorporated in 1974, 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 in Desperate Need of Meals on Wheels and Nutrition VolunteersRead More