Unleash the Power of The Press

senior resources

$110 Million Federal Grant Will Increase Community First Options For Older Adults and People with Disabilities

A $110.6 million grant has been awarded from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) expand and enhance the Commonwealth’s community-based long term services and supports system for elders and individuals with disabilities. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities, is pleased with this news because the much needed funding will help ensure long-term home care needs will be addressed.

The grant award comes from CMS’s Balancing Incentive Program (BIP), a part of the Affordable Care Act, which provides enhanced federal funds to states that enrich their long-term care system. States participating in BIP are required to spend at least 50 percent of their federal funding on non-institutional community-based, Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) by September 2015.

According to Mass Home Care, the Community First/Olmstead Plan of 2007 established a road map that has been guiding the development of increased access to person-centered information and self-directed services for people in need of LTSS. BIP provides another major opportunity toward full access for all populations in need of LTSS.

“We applaud the Administration for expanding its Community First effort, while at the same time, increasing federal matching funds to the state,” said Mass Home Care Executive Director Al Norman. “Elders want a chance to live out their days at home. BIP will provide more funding to honor that desire.”

“This funding is of great significance as it will support the dignity and independence of elders and people with disabilities by helping them receive essential services to maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of Old Colony Elder Services.

Per Mass Home Care, the Governor’s FY’15 budget proposal also includes a $16.9 million expansion of the Commonwealth’s Home Care Program and $1.3 million to expand the Supportive Housing Program from 31 to 41 sites, to allow public housing residents to age in place in an “assisted-living” environment. Over the last decade, Massachusetts has demonstrated a 62 percent increase in length of stay in Elder Affairs Community First programs, helping eliminate or delay long-term facility placement for thousands of residents.

“This funding is an affirmation of our commitment to making community-based services a reality for our most vulnerable residents. I thank the Obama Administration for their partnership in providing our seniors and individuals with disabilities the support they need to live comfortably,” said Governor Deval Patrick in a Mass Home Care press release.

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 173 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

$110 Million Federal Grant Will Increase Community First Options For Older Adults and People with DisabilitiesRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Celebrates Cape Verde Independence Day with Luncheon

OCES Supportive housing cape verde luncheon
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county areas, recently held a luncheon at Campello High Rise, one of the Supportive Housing sites in Brockton, celebrating Independence Day for both the United States and Cape Verde.

The Independence Day celebration luncheon was part of OCES’ Supportive Housing Program, which provides supportive services to senior and disabled residents at Campello High Rise. OCES’ Supportive Housing Program enables them to live longer in the community and prevents premature institutionalization.

For the third consecutive year, the residents celebrated the Independence Day of two nations with a luncheon featuring Cape Verdean and American food, music and dancing. More than 40 people were in attendance.

The luncheon event was one of Supportive Housing’s structured social, educational and recreational programs for residents. These programs are incorporated following a resident needs assessment and as indicated through the provision of care management. They are meant to encourage and build a community atmosphere among the residents.

“The Supportive Housing Program is a win-win and the recent Independence Day celebration luncheon was just one example of its success. We’ve had a good response from residents and they are very comfortable with the program,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

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 located in Brockton and 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 171 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.

Old Colony Elder Services Celebrates Cape Verde Independence Day with LuncheonRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Receives Generous Grant from Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Coalition and the Administration on Aging

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, has been awarded the Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Grant of $10,000.

OCES’ Family Caregiver Support Program was one of 10 recipients of a $100,000 grant funded through the Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Coalition and the Administration on Aging. The Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Grant enables OCES to provide much needed, quality respite support to family caregivers, including spouses, adult children caring for parents and grandparents caring for grandchildren.

Respite services provide family caregivers a needed break from their ongoing responsibilities. Services are customized to provide quality individualized respite options that will meet each caregiver’s needs. For example, one week of Adult Day Health Care can be provided for a caregiver’s parent suffering from Alzheimer’s; one week of camp can be provided for a caregiver’s grandchild.

This essential grant helps local family caregivers who aren’t eligible to receive public funding assistance and who could not otherwise afford respite care for their loved ones.

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 located in Brockton and 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 171 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.

Old Colony Elder Services Receives Generous Grant from Massachusetts LifeSpan Respite Coalition and the Administration on AgingRead More

Tufts Health Plan Foundation Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services For Caregiver Workshops

For the third consecutive year, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, has been awarded a generous grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

The $6,054 grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation will fund OCES’ successful “It’s About Time” free workshops for caregivers. The workshops teach caregivers techniques and strategies for managing time and reducing stress. Topics typically covered in the workshops inculde meal preparation, time management and relaxation techniques.

“The ‘It’s About Time’ workshops teach caregivers the much-needed strategies which help them to avoid burnout and remain physically and emotionally healthy while they provide essential care-giving services. We are very fortunate to receive the grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

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 located in Brockton and 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.

Tufts Health Plan Foundation Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services For Caregiver WorkshopsRead More

Old Colony Elder Services new pet food grant helps elders

Read this great article by Sue Scheible of The Patriot Ledger:
A GOOD AGE: Helping elders feed their pets as well as themselves
http://www.patriotledger.com/lifestyle/50_plus/x997482083/A-GOOD-AGE-Elders-pets-get-help-from-distant-benefactor

Old Colony Elder Services new pet food grant helps eldersRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Offers Diabetes Self-Management Program for Seniors to be held at Duxbury COA

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county areas, will offer a six week “Healthy Eating” Diabetes Self-Management Program at the Duxbury Council on Aging (COA), located at 10 Mayflower Street.

The Healthy Eating Diabetes Self-Management Program will be held on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from July 22 to August 26, 2013. As diabetes affects seniors at a much higher rate than younger adults, the program is geared towards seniors and their caregivers. Dorothy Slack, RN, Wellness Program Manager, and Donna Marie Forand, Outreach and Education Specialist, from OCES, will lead the program.

The Healthy Eating 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. The Healthy Eating program is for the newly diagnosed and talks about the impact of diabetes on their lifestyle. Attendees will learn about common problems with diabetes, reading food labels, enhancing communication, advocating for themselves and creating an action plan.

“The goal of the Healthy Eating 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 are a significant part of each workshop session,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

There is no cost to attend this program. Registration is required. To register, contact the Duxbury COA at 781-934-5774.

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 located in Brockton and 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.

Old Colony Elder Services Offers Diabetes Self-Management Program for Seniors to be held at Duxbury COARead More

Keeping Pets & their People Together – Old Colony Elder Services Receives Pet Food Distribution Grant

Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has recently received a Pet Food Distribution Grant from Banfield Charitable Trust.

Low-income seniors are among America’s millions struggling with hunger and food insecurity. Many seniors and individuals with disabilities receive nutritious daily meals through OCES’ Meals On Wheels program. In an effort to keep seniors and their beloved pets well nourished, OCES now also provides nutrition support for their pets.

For nearly a decade, Banfield Charitable Trust has been working to keep pets and their people together. The Banfield Grant enables OCES to purchase pet food and distribute to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, so that they can continue to care for their pets in their home. Essentially, OCES’ Meals On Wheels recipients are assured nutritious daily meals AND now their pets can receive nutritional support.

“What we have found is that elders will often feed their pets before they feed themselves. We’re working to identify and meet the needs of low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities who have pets,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

To learn more about the program, contact OCES’ Nutrition Department at (508) 584-1561.

About Banfield Charitable Trust

Banfield Charitable Trust provides grants to nonprofit organizations and nonprofit hospices to support their efforts to keep pets and people together. Pet food distribution program grants provide financial support to nonprofit organizations and Meals On Wheels Associations of America (MOWAA) members to fund expenses associated with starting or maintaining a pet food distribution program. For more information, visit www.banfieldcharitabletrust.org.

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 located in Brockton and 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.

Keeping Pets & their People Together – Old Colony Elder Services Receives Pet Food Distribution GrantRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Promotes Glenda DeVincentis, LSW to MassHealth Community Programs Director

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) serving seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county areas, has promoted Glenda DeVincentis, a Licensed Social Worker, to MassHealth Community Programs Director.

In her new role, Ms. DeVincentis will be a part of the Senior Team and report directly to the Executive Director, Diana DiGiorgi.

Previously, Ms. DeVincentis was the Senior Care Options Program Director where she was responsible for overseeing staff who provide care management for 1350 individuals enrolled in three health plans: Senior Whole Health, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Fallon Community Health Plan. Ms. DeVincentis has worked for OCES since 1989 in various roles of increasing responsibility, from Care Manager in the Home Care Program to Coordinator in the Congregate Housing Program, Care Advisor in the Family Caregiver Support Program to Senior Care Options Director.

In her new role, Ms. DeVincentis will oversee the Senior Care Options Program, the Personal Care Attendant Program and the Adult Family Care Program in tandem with the supervisors and managers of these programs. These programs seek to ensure that participants can remain living safely in the community as long as possible.

Ms. DeVincentis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bridgewater State University. She is a Licensed Social Worker and also volunteers for OCES delivering Meals On Wheels to local seniors. A native of Brockton, Ms. DeVincentis resides in Taunton, MA.

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 located in Brockton and 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.

Old Colony Elder Services Promotes Glenda DeVincentis, LSW to MassHealth Community Programs DirectorRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Recognizes Businesses Supporting Emergency Fund in 2013

Krystal Brig, Branch Manager at AAA Southern New England in Plymouth presents Lucille Dallaire, Development Director at OCES, a donation towards OCES’ Emergency Fund Program.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency designated as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) serving the greater Brockton and Plymouth county areas, has received a total of $8,385 in donations to their Emergency Fund from the business community.

OCES would like to thank the following companies for their generous donations to the Emergency Fund, which provides funds for food, fuel and medications to elders and individuals with disabilities who are on a fixed income and in a crisis situation:

AAA Southern New England, Affinity Home Health Care, Inc., Anodyne Homemaker Services Corp., Apothecare South Shore, Attentive Home Care, Inc., BC Tent & Awning Co., Inc., Best of Care, Inc., Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Bridgewater Savings Bank, Brockton Visiting Nurse Association, Crescent Credit Union, Cushman Insurance, Duval’s Pharmacy Inc., Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., Fitzgerald Appraisals, Geriatric Home Health Care, Inc., Greenlife, Inc., HarborOne Credit Union, Home Health Resources, Inc., HomeWatch Caregivers, K Cashman Group, Inc., Liberty Printing, Lindley Acquisition Corp. d/b/a Lindley Food Service, LiteControl, PMG Physician Associates, Right At Home, Robert Berks, Attorney at Law, Senior Whole Health, Shanahan Drywall & Plastering, LLC, South Coastal Bank, Tedeschi Food Shops, Trufant Real Estate, Inc., Walker Clay, Inc. and W.R.S. Painting.

Last year, OCES’ Emergency Fund helped 253 low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities remain in their homes, including a 60 year-old woman who couldn’t pay for heating oil who stated “This is the first time in my 60 years on earth I’ve needed help. OCES was like Angels from Heaven. There is no possible way I could have made it through the winter without OCES. Thank you so very, very much.” Historically, the number of elders and individuals with disabilities in need greatly increases during the winter months, when home heating costs rise as the temperature drops.

“Our Emergency Fund enables us to meet the needs of elders 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 transport, medications, air conditioners for individuals with breathing difficulties, hot water heaters, food and more. We are very grateful for the generosity of these businesses that have come to the aid of needy seniors and individuals with disabilities in our communities,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

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 located in Brockton and 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.

Old Colony Elder Services Recognizes Businesses Supporting Emergency Fund in 2013Read More