Old Colony Elder Services

BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Deana Andrade, LICSW, MSW has been promoted to Behavioral Health Manager at Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Plymouth County and surrounding towns.

Andrade has been with OCES for 11 years and has been promoted several times – from Supportive Housing Specialist intern to Home Care Case Manager, to Consumer Advocate to Behavioral Health Supervisor. In her most recent position, Andrade developed Behavioral Health Programs including ANCHOR (Advocating and Navigating Care in the Home for Ongoing Risks, as well as the Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT), and the Clutter Reduction Support Program (CRSP).

Andrade holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State University and Master of Social Work from University of New England in Maine. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. (NASW).

In her new role as OCES’ Behavioral Health Manager, Andrade will oversee behavioral health initiatives including ANCHOR and EMHOT, as well as hoarding and clutter reduction programs. Her responsibilities will also include conducting in-home assessments and supervising contracted LICSWs and clinical social work-related committees. Andrade will provide supportive consultation, assessment, and referral services to OCES staff in matters concerning behavioral health issues affecting the well-being of OCES’ consumers. In addition, she will facilitate support groups with/for Greater Brockton Area Hoarding Resource Network as needed.

Over the years, Andrade has served as a Facilitator in Buried in Treasures Workshops, and she provides clinical supervision to Social Work interns. She is the Chairperson of OCES’ Ethics Committee, The Social Work Licensure Program Coordinator and Internship Committee Coordinator. She is also a member of Greater Brockton Area Hoarding Resource Network (GBAH).

Elder Mental Health Outreach at OCES
OCES’ Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT) offers behavioral health and wellness supports to older adults and individuals with disabilities (who may be isolated or encounter barriers that limit access to behavioral health care. OCES’ EMHOT supports older adults who have complex behavioral health conditions, chronic illness, substance misuse, or who are in crisis situations that may require counseling or long-term case management to improve overall wellbeing. OCES’ team provides counseling, support, referrals, and resources on a case-by-case basis. 

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 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org. 

Old Colony Elder Services Appoints New Behavioral Health Manager to Oversee Elder Mental Health Outreach Team and other Behavioral Health ProgramsRead More

BROCKTON, NORTH ATTLEBORO AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Plymouth County and surrounding towns, has promoted Vicky Rateau, LSW to Quality and Contracts Manager. 
 
In her new role as Quality and Contracts Manager, Rateau will implement and monitor all facets of the provider contract process and ensure a robust, coordinated provider-services network for OCES consumers. She will also facilitate and monitor quality compliance across the organization and provide oversight. Prior to her promotion, Rateau held the position of OCES’ Quality and Contracts Supervisor for two years, overseeing the provider services team and maintaining provider contracts. 
 
Rateau graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a minor in Biology. She holds a License in Social Work (LSW). 
 
She is a resident of North Attleboro, 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 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.  

Old Colony Elder Services Appoints New Quality and Contracts ManagerRead More

Front row, left to right:  Rick Alvarnaz, Sharon Perry, Rochelle Degany, Sophia Loc-Tringali, Sandra Saltzman, Kathleen Breen, Christina Butta, John Tuffy, Sharon Frank, Peter Keohan, Nancy McDermott, Cidalia America and Kari Anderson. 
 
Back row, left to right:  Steve Meissner, Anne-Marie Borsje, Joanne Protasewich, Sherry Williamson, Mi Kim, David Drain, and Paul McDermott  
 
BROCKTON, DUXBURY, EASTON, HALIFAX, KINGSTON, MIDDLEBORO, PLYMOUTH, STOUGHTON, WAREHAM, MA… More than 220 volunteers from Southeastern Massachusetts attended Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and awards ceremony held at Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston, MA.  
 
The Plymouth County based non-profit agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities honored their volunteers and presented special awards to 22 volunteers. 
 
OCES is a National President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) Certifying Organization which honors outstanding volunteers and recognizes the impact they make. Armindo Rocha, OCES’ Volunteer Program Manager and Cidalia America, Volunteer Coordinator hosted the event and bestowed the awards. 
 
Sharon Frank of Wareham was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.  The PVSA’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes 4000+ volunteer hours in a lifetime. 
 
The Annual Gold Award is given to those who have volunteered for more than 500 hours during the year. The PVSA’s Annual Gold Award was presented to Anne-Marie Borsje, David Drain, Peter Keohan, Mi Kim, Nancy McDermott, Joanne Protasewich, Sophia Loc-Tringali, John Tuffy, Gary Peterson, Marie Claire Ording, Richard Shoemaker and Sherry Williamson of Duxbury; Steve Meissner of Easton; Christina Butta of Middleboro; Kathleen Breen of Plymouth; and Sandra Saltzman of Stoughton.  
 
OCES’ Make a Difference Award recognizes exceptional volunteers for their dedication to helping others making an impact on the community. Sharon Perry of Halifax, along with OCES staff members and volunteers Rochelle Degany, Rick Alvarnaz, Paul and Neal Mullen were each presented with the Make a Difference Award.  
 
“We recognize and thank all of our generous volunteers for their tremendous dedication to helping others in our community and making the world a better place,” said Nicole Long, CEO of OCES. 
 
More about the PVSA 
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action too. Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.  As an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee, OCES receives funds through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for volunteers age 55+. RSVP of Plymouth County (RSVP-PC) volunteers help OCES and other local agencies that are Community Service Partners.  
 
Volunteering for OCES 
The Volunteer Program supports OCES and other RSVP-PC Community Service Partners. With the help of more than 550 Nutrition Program volunteers, OCES serves 2,000 meals each weekday as part of its Meals on Wheels Program. Money Management Program (MMP) volunteers assist older adults and individuals with disabilities with bill paying, reconciling bank statements, balancing checkbooks, and in special cases, negotiating debt with creditors. Volunteers also serve on the OCES Board of Directors, MMP and RSVP Community Advisory councils and contribute to many other important efforts. 
 
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.ocesma.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 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.  

Old Colony Elder Services Honors Volunteers with Awards and Appreciation LuncheonRead More

BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), in partnership with Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, the Brockton Council on Aging (COA) and Plymouth Center for Active Living (CAL), recently held “March Against Elder Abuse” events in Brockton and Plymouth to raise awareness of elder abuse.

“Last year, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs reported 37,918 reports of elder abuse in the state,” said Teresa Kourtz, LSW, MSG, OCES’ Protective Services Director. “It is estimated that 1 in 10 elders have experienced some form of abuse – physical, mental, emotional or financial. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity to increase awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. Both of our Marches Against Elder Abuse events were extremely well-attended, and we cannot thank our community enough for coming together to raise awareness of this important issue.  We must continue to work together- if you see something, say something!”

Raising Awareness in Brockton
The Brockton March Against Elder Abuse event, which included a rally at the Brockton Rox Campanelli Stadium and luncheon, held at the Shaw’s Center on June 15, 2023, which is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Senator Michael Brady and Representative Rita Mendes were among 150 in attendance.

Special guest speakers during this event included: Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald; Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan; Janice Fitzgerald, Director at the Brockton Council on Aging; and Teresa Kourtz, Protective Services Director at OCES.

The “Pat Foley Advocacy Award” in memory of Pat Foley, a longtime OCES employee, volunteer and advocate, was presented to Janice Fitzgerald, Director of COA, and Dottie Slack Health Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Brockton COA.

Raising Awareness in Plymouth 
Over 100 were in attendance, including Representative Kathleen LaNatra and Representative Mathew Muratore, for the March Against Elder Abuse event along Water Street, in Plymouth on June 21, 2023. A luncheon was held at Tavern on the Wharf following the March.  Special guest speakers included: Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald; Michelle Bratti, Director of Elder Affairs at the Center for Active Living (CAL); and Teresa Kourtz, Protective Services Director of OCES.

Plymouth Police Chief Dana Flynn presented the “Pat Foley Advocacy Award” to Lt. Reid and Officers Antonson and Lapollo of the Plymouth Police Department and to Lindsay Reik and April Thompson of Plymouth CAL.

OCES would like to thank the event sponsors: Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office; Women of the Moose Chapter 2218; HarborOne Bank; Bluestone Bank; Rockland Federal Credit Union; Sevita; Almeida & Carlson Insurance Agency, Anodyne, and Navicare.

Recognizing Elder Abuse
Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, neglect, self-neglect, financial exploitation, and sexual abuse. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living, an estimated five million older adults are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation every year. One in 10 older adults aged 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse. Common risk factors for elder abuse are social isolation, poor physical health, and dementia. Nationally, at least $36.5 billion annually is lost by victims of financial abuse according to the National Council on Aging. 

OCES’ Protective Services Program staff works with older adults or their designees to prevent, eliminate or remedy situations involving elder abuse.  When a report is made to the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline) and the elder resides in our catchment area, OCES will receive the report and determine if further investigation by a Protective Services Worker is necessary.

If you have concerns, please contact your local Protective Services Agency. If you want to file a report on elder abuse, please contact the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline) at 1-800-922-2275.

About WEAAD
WEAAD was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations in 2006. To learn more about WEAAD, visit https://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/weaad-home/

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 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org. 

Hundreds participate in March Against Elder Abuse events in Brockton and Plymouth for World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead More

Kori Pickett, a resident of Plymouth, MA, has been promoted to Nutrition Program Manager at Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Plymouth County and surrounding towns.

Pickett joined OCES in 2015 as an Adult Family Care (AFC) Case Manager and was promoted quickly within the agency. Most recently she held the position of AFC Intake and Assessment Supervisor where she oversaw the RNs and Case Managers completing intakes for the AFC program and played an integral role in the program’s outreach and growth. 

As OCES’ Nutrition Program Manager, Pickett will optimize nutrition program operations, ensuring the quality and integrity of the nutrition program as well as its regulatory compliance. She will also participate in the recruitment, training, and evaluation of nutrition program staff. 

Additionally, Pickett will continue to focus on expansion of diverse home delivered meals, community dining meal sites and nutrition program outreach to LGTBQ+ older adults in OCES’ service area.

Pickett holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Endicott College in Beverly, 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 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org. 

Old Colony Elder Services Appoints New Program ManagerRead More

BRIDGEWATER, BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Elizabeth Nolan, a resident of Bridgewater, MA has been promoted to Home Care Program Assistant Manager at Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Plymouth County and surrounding towns.

In her new role as Home Care Program Assistant Manager, Nolan will plan, organize, manage, and evaluate Home Care Program operations and assigned care management staff. She will work with the Home Care Program Care Manager to ensure coordination, quality, and consistency across the program. 

Nolan began her career at OCES in 2013 as a Care Manager in the Home Care Program where she evaluated and assessed need for home care services by an applicant under the home care program. She was then promoted to Home Care Program Supervisor and for the next six years, she oversaw Care Management Staff, provided training, and ensured program compliance and quality.

Nolan holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Bridgewater State University and has also earned a Supervision and Leadership Certificate from Boston University Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research (CADER).

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 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org. 

OCES Appoints Bridgewater Resident as Home Care Program Assistant ManagerRead More