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Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Visits Belair Towers in Brockton

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director

Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), the non-profit agency serving older adults and people with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, welcomed Alice Bonner, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to Belair Towers in Brockton on December 8, 2015.

Secretary Bonner has been touring agencies caring for older adults across the state to learn firsthand about local efforts supporting older adults in the community. During her visit at Belair Towers she met with the Belair Tenants Association and approximately 40 residents, along with Thomas Thibeault, Executive Director of Brockton Housing Authority; Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director; and other staff members from these agencies.

A round table question and answer session provided Secretary Bonner an opportunity to hear about the access to services provided by OCES at Belair Towers, which includes supportive housing, regular and Caribbean congregate meals and the English as a Second Language program. Belair residents were also able to share their concerns about personal safety and building security in light of recent national and world events.

“We had a tremendous turnout and were able to garner very good feedback about access to our programs during the Belair round table session,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director.

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 headquartered 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 people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 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.ocesma.org.

Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Visits Belair Towers in BrocktonRead More

Professional Interiors new Ophthalmology Division ensures 20/20 design vision

Bruce Puffer
Bruce Puffer

Professional Interiors of Plymouth, specializing in the design and renovation of medical office interiors and catering to clients throughout New England, has announced a new Ophthalmology Division.

Professional Interiors’ expert design team understands the unique requirements of ophthalmology offices. The firm has created a new ophthalmology division to cater to this growing niche market.

“When it comes to ophthalmology office design, client sensitivity is of the utmost importance,” explained Bruce Puffer, founder of the company. “The footprint of the office, with designated areas for eyewear dispensing, testing, consulting and check-out, along with the flow from one area to another, are key to creating a comfortable, efficient space for patients and staff.”

For more than two decades, the firm has been improving business for medical practice locations through thoughtful, efficient design that better facilitates patient flow and ensures patient privacy and confidentiality. Ophthalmology offices have a number of design considerations, and Bruce Puffer outlines a few below:

Vision testing design layout – If testing and/or patient consultation is going to take longer than five minutes, then it makes sense to put them in a room. But, autorefractors and lensometers, which are used in performing quick, routine screenings, are best situated in an alcove area. Typically, Professional Interiors creates a custom “pod” or working unit of physicians and all supporting staff.

Eyewear dispensing area – This is a large profit center for an ophthalmology office. It requires at least 100 s.f. of space and is ideally located in the reception area. There should be a separate, quiet room for ophthalmologists to fit and train patients for contact lenses. This room should include a desk, sink, mirror and storage.

Lighting – Professional Interiors is often called upon to retrofit ophthalmology offices with LED lighting, which provides energy and cost savings. Nowadays, fluorescent LEDs have dimming capability, which is used along with softer lighting in access areas (where patients may have their pupils dilated) for testing. Access lighting is also used over task lighting in hallways.

Professional Interior’s ophthalmology design clients include Lexington Eye Associates of Lexington, Concord, Arlington and Westford, MA, the Center For Eye Health located in Brockton and Fall River, MA and The Eye Care Group in New Haven, Branford, Waterbury and Southbury, CT.

According to Dr. Paul Vinger of Lexington Eye Associates, “The final result was excellent from both a functional perspective and an aesthetic standpoint.”

To schedule design consultation with Professional Interiors or for more information, visit www.promedicalinteriors.com.

About Professional Interiors

Founder Bruce Puffer and his team have been transforming medical practice locations for over two decades. From flow at the reception desk to utility and comfort of patient rooms, he customizes interior designs that entice new patients and allow physicians better tools to do their job.

The Professional Interiors team is sensitive to the many considerations that affect design – from mobile computer units, biohazard waste considerations and HIPPA laws to OSHA laws and regulations and ADA compliance. As experts in medical practice renovation, Professional Interiors knows how to directly improve a practice’s business, better facilitate patient flow and ensure patient privacy and confidentiality. Professional Interiors is located in Plymouth, MA. For more information call (508) 746-7474 or visit www.promedicalinteriors.com.

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OCES’ Emergency Fund Grows on #GivingTuesday. Campaign continues throughout December.

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) Emergency Fund received a boost on #GivingTuesday, the day dedicated to giving back. The non-profit agency serving older adults and people with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, received $2,320 in donations to their Emergency Fund on #GivingTuesday December 1st.

OCES’ Emergency Fund is intended to help low-income older adults and people with disabilities whose needs cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource. All too often, these individuals encounter problems that can jeopardize their ability to maintain independence, dignity and well-being. The Emergency Fund is used to assist with fuel, utilities, short-term emergency shelter, medical transport, medications, hot water heaters, food and other needs.

Last year, OCES helped several hundred low-income older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes. For instance, OCES’ Emergency Fund assisted a 79-year-old widow living in her own home with her disabled daughter. She requested assistance to purchase heating oil because she had been out of oil for two days. The Emergency Fund also helped a widow with the purchase of a life-sustaining medication. She stated, “Thank you very much for the help. I was worried about being able to get my heart medication”.

“We are grateful for the tremendous support we received on #GivingTuesday, as those donations will help provide such things as heat, food, and life-sustaining medications to older adults and people with disabilities,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director.

She continued, “We anticipate the number of older adults and people with disabilities in our communities to significantly increase this year, and in light of that, our giving campaign will continue throughout December. Help spread the word, tell a neighbor, friend or family member how they can support people in need right in their community through our #GivingTuesday campaign.”

If you did not get a chance to give on December 1st, you still have time to make a difference in others’ lives! The #GivingTuesday campaign will end December 31st. Please see www.ocesma.org for more information on how to make a donation.

A Day Dedicated to Giving Back

Now in its fourth year, #GivingTuesday is observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Fueled by the power of social media and collaboration, #GivingTuesday connects individuals, communities and organizations around the world and provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents. Visit www.givingtuesday.org to learn more.

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 headquartered 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 people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 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.ocesma.org.

OCES’ Emergency Fund Grows on #GivingTuesday. Campaign continues throughout December.Read More

OCES Joins the #GivingTuesday Movement

image006Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency that serves older adults and people with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has joined the #GivingTuesday movement to raise money for their Emergency Fund program. The fund helps meet needs of low income older adults and people with disabilities who are at-risk, in a crisis or emergency circumstance that threatens their health and/or living situation.

In the same way that Black Friday and Cyber Monday kick off the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday (December 1, 2015) kicks off the giving season. #GivingTuesday inspires people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

OCES’ Emergency Fund is intended to meet the needs of low-income older adults and people with disabilities. All too often, these individuals encounter problems that can jeopardize their ability to maintain independence, dignity and well-being. The emergency fund is OCES’ primary resource used to assist with fuel, utilities, short-term emergency shelter, medical transport, medications, hot water heaters, food and other needs.

“The number of older adults and people with disabilities in our communities continues increasing. Their needs cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource, which is why our emergency fund is critical,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES. “Your help will provide such things as heat, food, and life sustaining medications to older adults and people with disabilities. #GivingTuesday proves that the holidays can be both giving and giving back. We ask the community to join OCES’ #GivingTuesday initiative.”

To help address local challenges and raise money for the Emergency Fund, visit www.ocesma.org and click on #GivingTuesday. Help spread the word, tell a neighbor, friend or family member how they can support people in need right in their community.

A Day Dedicated to Giving Back

#GivingTuesday is observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and is now in its fourth year. Fueled by the power of social media and collaboration, #GivingTuesday connects individuals, communities and organizations around the world and provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents. To learn more, visit www.givingtuesday.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 headquartered 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 people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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OCES Announces Special Thanksgiving Meals at Congregate Meal Sites

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, will offer special Thanksgiving meals at partnering Council on Aging (COA) congregate meal sites on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at noon.

OCES’ Thanksgiving menu features roast turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, baby carrots, and whole-wheat rolls, with pumpkin mousse for dessert. Reservations are required and can be made by calling your local COA.

In addition to serving this Thanksgiving feast on the 18th, the COAs of Brockton, East Bridgewater and Kingston will be serving Thanksgiving meals with slightly different menus on additional days. Please call these COAs for more information.

OCES’ congregate meal sites provide hot, nutritious noontime meals Monday through Friday to adults age 60+ and individuals with disabilities under the age of 60. 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.

“Our congregate meal sites provide older adults with healthy, nutritious and delicious meals on a daily basis, along with the chance to socialize and enjoy fun activities,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Congregate meal menus are published in local newspapers and in COA newsletters. A sample menu may be requested by calling OCES at (508) 584-1561 or visiting the website at www.ocesma.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 headquartered 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 people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 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.ocesma.org.

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Regina Izmaylova Appointed CFO at OCES

Regina Izmaylova
Regina Izmaylova

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has appointed Regina Izmaylova as Chief Financial Officer.

In her new role, Ms. Izmaylova will oversee the Finance Department including all contracts and budgets. She will also be responsible for overseeing funding sources and communications with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Previous to OCES, Ms. Izmaylova was the Director of Finance for two years at a non-profit health center in Dorchester, MA. For seven years prior to that, Ms. Izmaylova worked primarily in the private sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from University of Massachusetts Boston and an MBA from New England College of Business and Finance in Boston.

Ms. Izmaylova is a resident of Stoughton, 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 headquartered 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 people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 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.ocesma.org.

Regina Izmaylova Appointed CFO at OCESRead More

OCES Awarded the George E. Curtis Charitable Trust Grant

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has received a $25,000 grant from the George E. Curtis Charitable Trust (Curtis Trust) for their Emergency Fund.

This Fund is specifically intended 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. The emergency fund is OCES’ primary resource available to assist with these needs. Funding from the Curtis Trust will enable OCES to provide fuel assistance, medication dispensers, hearing aid assistance and more. Last year, OCES was able to help 40 people in need with these funds. This year, OCES expects the number of people needing fuel as well as hearing aid assistance to increase.

“The Emergency Fund enables us to provide assistance for fuel, utilities, short-term emergency shelter, medical transport, medications, hot water heaters, food and more. We are very grateful to the Curtis Trust for this award so we may continue to help people in crisis situations who would have no other means of assistance,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

The George E. Curtis Charitable Trust

The mission of the Curtis Trust is to assist low-income elderly persons to remain in their homes and to experience an improved quality of life. To learn more about the Trust, visit http://www.curtistrust.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 headquartered 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 people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 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.ocesma.org.

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OCES Announces CARES Program, an Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Group

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, recently announced that they will be hosting the “CARES” Program, an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group facilitated by Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services.

The CARES program is for people with memory impairment and their care partners. The program begins Friday, September 11, 2015 and will be held on the second and fourth Friday of each month from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at OCES, 144 Main Street, Brockton.

CARES provides two separate support groups held at the same time, which provide information, guidance, and respite to care partners, and conversation and socialization for those with memory impairment. The caregiver support group is led by Alan Johnson, LICSW, Director of Community and Family Outreach at Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services. The support group for loved ones with memory impairment will be facilitated by Blue Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center.

“What makes this a special opportunity is that a separate group for loved ones with dementia will be held at the same time, providing respite while caregivers attend the support group,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

OCES co-sponsors the program with Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services and Blue Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center. CARES is funded by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

There is no cost to attend but registration is required. To register or for more information, call (508) 775-5656.

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 headquartered 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 people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 217 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.ocesma.org.

 

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OCES Appoints Gregg Smith as Technology Director

Gregg Smith
Gregg Smith

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults, people with disabilities, families and caregivers throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has appointed Gregg Smith as Technology Director.

In his new role, Mr. Smith will be responsible for implementing new technology and ideas to facilitate the agency’s future growth. He will also oversee the negotiation and acquisition of hardware and software.

Mr. Smith served as an IT Consultant to OCES for two and a half years while employed as the Lead IT Consultant at Unitel, an IT consulting company in Easton, MA. Mr. Smith studied Information Systems at Framingham State University and has Microsoft Certifications in Microsoft Server, Exchange, and SQL.

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 217 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.ocesma.org.

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