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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints LeNay Harper as Community Programs Manager

OCES logo

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities, has appointed LeNay Harper as Community Programs Manager.

Ms. Harper has more than two decades of experience in the non-profit, public and private sectors. In her new role at OCES, she is responsible for the development, supervision, and oversight of all the company’s housing programs. For four years previous to OCES, Ms. Harper was a human and social services consultant in private practice facilitating groups in Boston and Cambridge. For 15 years prior to that, she worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a number of different populations including those impacted by homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, and the criminal justice system, plus teenage and low-income families.

Ms. Harper holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from Boston College and a Master of Science in Planning and Development from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She resides in Brockton, MA.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 201 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

 

 

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Old Colony Elder Services Announces Lunch & Learn Session on April 15th at Marshfield COA

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, will offer a nutrition workshop on April 15, 2015 entitled “Carbohydrates in Your Meals” at the Marshfield Council on Aging (COA) located at 230 Webster Street.

Barbara Nalen-Cardoza RDN, LDN will help consumers understand carbohydrates in their meals. Ms. Nalen-Cardoza is a registered dietician at OCES and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. She will discuss the “carb content” of bread, milk and other foods, using the congregate meal as an example. Attendees will learn which foods to limit to control carbohydrate intake for weight loss, pre-diabetes monitoring and better nutrition overall.

This educational nutrition workshop will be held during the congregate meal at 12 p.m.  Reservations for the meal are required by April 13th. Call 781-834-5581 to reserve a seat.

For more information about upcoming programs, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 210 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Litecontrol Corporation Donates to Old Colony Elder Services’ Emergency Fund

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities, has recently received a $3,500 donation for their Emergency Fund from Litecontrol Corporation of Hanson and Plympton.

Litecontrol Corporation’s generous donation to the Emergency Fund will help provide funds for food, fuel, medication and other essentials to assist older adults and individuals with disabilities who are on a fixed income and in a crisis situation.

Every year, Litecontrol Corporation allocates funds to be donated to a local organization or cause that benefits the community.

OCES’ Emergency Fund has helped hundreds of low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities, throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth County, to remain in their homes over the years. Historically, the number of older adults and individuals with disabilities in need greatly increases during the winter months, when home heating costs rise as the temperature drops.

“We are very grateful to Litecontrol for their generous donation. Our Emergency Fund enables us to meet the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities who are in crisis or emergency situations that threaten their health or living status, and cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource.  These needs include fuel assistance, utility bill payments, short-term emergency shelter, medical transportation, medications, hot water heaters, food and more,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

About Litecontrol Corporation

For more than 75 years, Litecontrol has been the commercial lighting professional’s leading partner in design. From its early innovations in wall/slot lighting, to today’s advanced LED fixtures, Litecontrol remains committed to delivering the widest palette of tools and comprehensive services to maximize the power of lighting design and to minimize electric lighting’s environmental impact. Litecontrol has facilities in Hanson and Plympton, MA. For more information, visit http://www.litecontrol.com.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 201 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Old Colony Elder Services Offers 6-Week Diabetes Self-Management Program for Seniors at Rockland COA

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Plymouth County and Brockton areas, will offer a six-week Diabetes Self-Management Program at the Rockland Council on Aging (COA), located at 317 Plain Street.

The Diabetes Self-Management Program will be held on Wednesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. beginning January 28, 2015 through March 4, 2015. Because diabetes affects older adults at a much higher rate than younger adults, the program is geared towards older adults and their caregivers. Patricia Livie and Donna-Marie Forand, Outreach and Education Specialists at OCES, will lead the sessions.

The Diabetes Self-Management Program is an evidence-based program developed at Stanford University designed to help individuals develop a greater awareness of their role in disease management. It is for newly diagnosed older adults with Type II diabetes.  Attendees will learn about common problems with diabetes, how to read food labels, enhance communication, advocate for themselves and create an action plan.

“The goal of the Diabetes Self-Management Program is to help people choose healthy eating behaviors they would like to follow and to design strategies for incorporating these behaviors into daily life. Setting weekly goals, making an action plan, giving feedback and sharing experiences are a significant part of each workshop session,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

This is a free workshop. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Donna-Marie Forand at 508-584-1561, extension 237.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 201 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

 

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Old Colony Elder Services Receives MA Emergency Relief Grant to Provide Emergency Shelf Stable Food for Meals on Wheels Recipients

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES

The Massachusetts Emergency Relief Grant Program awards grants to be used in the development, implementation and expansion of emergency relief programs in the Commonwealth of MA.  Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities, has been awarded a $3,450 grant for their Shelf-Stable Meals emergency program.

The Massachusetts Emergency Relief Grant enables OCES’ Nutrition Department to help support the purchase of shelf-stable foods for home delivered meals consumers through their Meals on Wheels program. These consumers are usually living alone; have limited mobility; are unable to prepare their own meals; and in most cases, are unable to meet their dietary needs and are forced to make compromises. The shelf-stable food packets are delivered to participating consumers at least three to four times a year, to ensure that they will have food stored on hand in case of an emergency situation or inclement weather (snow storm, hurricane) prevents home delivery of their meals.

“The Meals On Wheels program is essential to these individuals, as they would otherwise not get a nutritious daily meal. With this grant, we can ensure that seniors will have an emergency supply of shelf stable foods on hand in the event of a storm or emergency situation,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Bayada Home Health Care and CBS EcoMedia were the sponsors for this grant.

About OCES Nutrition Program

OCES’ Nutrition Program is designed to enrich older adults’ quality of life by providing nutritionally sound and satisfying meals at congregate meal sites and through home delivered meals (Meals On Wheels). Congregate meal sites provide hot, nutritious noontime meals, Monday through Friday, at meal sites located at local Councils on Aging (COA) and/or at local housing authorities. The Meals On Wheels program serves individuals age 60 and over who are unable to prepare their own meals or get to a congregate meal site.

Meals are planned by a Nutritionist and meet one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance for major nutrients. The meals do not feature high sodium foods and no salt is added. Low-fat milk is provided.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 190 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Receives MA Emergency Relief Grant to Provide Emergency Shelf Stable Food for Meals on Wheels RecipientsRead More

10 Honored at Old Colony Elder Services Staff Meeting

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, recognized 10 employees for their years of service in a ceremony held at OCES.

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES, thanked all staff and presented several staff with award certificates and gifts honoring their years of dedicated service. Staff recognized were: James Mileski for 35 years of service; Lorraine Wanat and Glenda L. DeVincentis for 25 years; Edna Gordon, Sharon A. Sheehan, Richard J. Alvarnaz and Sara M. Gassett for 15 years; and Jane F. Riley, Elizabeth A. Morrill and Juanita Timson-Brown for 10 years.

“Our staff members are deserving of recognition as their contributions help us to reach our goals each year. We appreciate their hard work, dedication and commitment,” said DiGiorgi.

Maureen Hennessy, OCES’ HR Manager also addressed employees during the event. The staff enjoyed refreshments, which included celebratory gourmet mini cupcakes from OCES’ small business neighbor, Mmm Licious Cupcakes of Brockton.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 190 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Old Colony Elder Services Offers Tips for Family Caregivers During the Holiday Season

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance-National Center on Caregiving, 29 percent of the U.S. adult population cares for someone who is ill, disabled or aged.* The National Alliance for Caregiving reports that there are approximately 66 million unpaid caregivers providing chronic and long-term care to family members.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities, shares essential tips with family caregivers to help them through the busy, and often stressful, holiday season:

Be kind to yourself.  Caregiving can be very hard work; take time to appreciate the loving care you provide.  Know that every day you are doing the best you can.

Take care of yourself.  Make and keep your own doctor’s appointments and other appointments that help to keep you well.

Remember to ask for help.  People will often be happy to assist if they know what is needed; Caregivers need a break too.

Reach out to others for professional support if needed.

Set limits for what you are able to do; no one can do everything.

The best decisions are joint decisions. When possible, include the person for whom you are caring in matters that will affect him or her.  This helps to reduce conflict and can lead to better outcomes.

Do your best to remain optimistic. This will help to lift everyone’s mood.  When difficulties arise, know that this too, shall pass.

“The majority of caregivers are family caregivers – spouses, daughters or sons caring for aging loved ones or those with chronic or disabling health conditions. The typical family caregiver often juggles caregiving with the responsibilities of a full-time job and a family,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES. “Family caregivers are at significant risk for burnout, and that risk increases during the holiday season. It is imperative that they take care of themselves, so they remain physically and emotionally healthy while they provide essential caregiving services.”

Caregiver Appreciation Brunch

In recognition and appreciation of family caregivers, OCES held a Caregiver Brunch at OCES last month for caregivers who participated in the Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshops. Each caregiver who participated in OCES’ Family Caregiver Support group was presented with a proclamation scroll signed by Governor Deval Patrick, as well as a $25 gift card and a cooking/caregiving book. Caregivers were also able to network with one another and share commonalities of their caregiver experiences.

OCES’ Family Caregiver Support Program can assist caregivers in locating resources to help them including local support groups.  In addition, the Healthy Living Department at OCES offers workshops on many aspects of self-care. For more information about these programs and others, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 190 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

*The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (2009), Caregiving in the U.S. National Alliance for Caregiving. Washington, DC. – Updated: November 2012.

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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Barbara Kosovske, M.Ed. as Program Manager

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, has recently promoted Barbara Kosovske, M.Ed. to Senior Care Options (SCO) Program Manager.

In her new position, Ms. Kosovske will oversee the OCES SCO Program (primarily Senior Whole Health, United Health Care and NaviCare plans) and manage the SCO supervisory staff. Barbara has extensive knowledge and experience with this program working as Care Manager and most recently as SCO Program Supervisor.

A former Registered Nurse, Ms. Kosovske has worked in the non-profit sector for many years. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Columbia College, South Carolina and a Master of Education from University of South Carolina. She is a resident of Canton.

Senior Care Options is a partnership between MassHealth and Medicare that provides an integrated and complete package of health care and social services for low-income seniors.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 169 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Old Colony Elder Services Needs Emergency Fund Sponsors

Last year, through its Emergency Fund, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) helped 202 low–income seniors remain in their homes. These seniors ranged from 60 to 93 years old and most of their needs were fuel, medical transportation and utility bills. The number of elders needing emergency assistance has increased greatly this year and OCES is seeking sponsors.

OCES’ Emergency Fund provides assistance to meet the needs of elders in crisis or emergency situations that threaten their health or living status and cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource. In other words, there is no other funding source or agency available to address the need identified. These needs include fuel assistance; new stoves/oil burners; utility bill payments; short-term emergency shelter; medical transport; medications; air conditioners for individuals with breathing difficulties; hot water heaters; plumbing, food and more.

According to Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES, “It is through the generous donations of individuals and businesses that OCES is able to continue to provide critical services to elders in the community who are most at risk. As we begin a new year on the heels of ‘Blizzard 2010’ with a growing number of elders in crisis situations, please consider sponsoring our Emergency Fund.”

Examples of elders who have received assistance from OCES include:

  • A 75–year–old single female living alone in her own home on a fixed income whose hot water heater was leaking and needed to be replaced. She could not afford to pay for the entire replacement. The cost to replace the hot water heater was $900. She was only able to pay $300 towards the new heater. OCES’ Emergency Funds assisted her with the balance.
  • A 63–year–old female, living alone in her own home and suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathy, anxiety and depression and who has a history of stroke. She lives on fixed income and was in need of fuel. OCES’ Emergency Funds helped provide her with oil delivery.
  • An 80–year-old woman living with her spouse in their own home on a fixed income. They were in need of a furnace replacement, but did not have the funds to pay for it. They received funding assistance from two other resources to help cover the cost, but not the total amount. OCES’ Emergency Funds were used to help pay for the balance on a new furnace.

Historically, almost half of all the Emergency Funds dispersed have assisted elders with fuel/heating and plumbing.

Donations may be made to:

Old Colony Elder Services

144 Main Street

Brockton, MA 02301

Attn: Emergency Fund

Old Colony Elder Services provides a number of programs to assist seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. Although these programs are partially supported by government funding, the agency’s Emergency Fund, a fund specifically established to meet the needs of elders in crisis or emergency situations, is funded by individual and corporate sponsors.

For questions about the Emergency Fund, please contact Lucille Dallaire at

OCES (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 Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.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

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

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