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| Celebrating Nutrition--All Month! |
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The MVES Nutrition department finished a fun-filled,
month-long celebration of nutrition at the end of
March. The past month marked the American Dietetic
Association's 30th year of recognizing March as the
national nutrition month and MVES honored the
occasion with special events.
Working with the theme of "Healthy Eating, Healthy
You," the entire staff of the Nutrition department
strove to bring healthy food to the attention of clients,
caregivers, and colleagues.
Read on... »
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| Behind the Scenes: Aging Information Specialist |
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In our continuing series that explores what various
individuals do at Mystic Valley Elder Services, we
spoke with Aging Information Specialist Kathy Harlor. As
an Aging Information Specialist, Kathy is one of the first
people to talk with elders, caregivers, and referral
parties about potential ways MVES can help with a
situation.
Editor: In a nutshell, what does an Aging
Information Specialist do?
K. Harlor: Apart from the receptionist, we're the first
people to speak with caregivers, prospective clients,
family members--anyone concerned about an elder's
welfare. We provide resources to elders and direct
elders and caregivers to appropriate MVES programs.
We attend health fairs to ensure the community knows
what MVES can offer. And, we talk with elders who
walk in to the agency looking for information and help.
Read more... »
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| MVES receives grant for Money Management |
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The Savings Bank, headquartered in Wakefield,
Massachusetts, recently honored MVES' Money
Management Program with a $3,000 grant. The grant
will help the expanding Money Management Program
support a program coordinator to recruit new
volunteers.
The MVES Money Management Program is a practical,
economic solution that helps low-income elders with
budgeting, paying routine bills, and keeping track of
financial matters. Trained and insured volunteers are
matched with local elders and make monthly visits to
assist with opening the mail, writing checks for the
elders to sign, developing and managing a budget, and
balancing checkbooks. The program
helps elders meet their financial obligations and remain
safe and independent in their own homes.
Read more... »
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| Listen! 1-800-AGE-INFO is on the way! |
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The number to call for elder information has long been
1-800-AGE-INFO. When a person calls, he or she can
talk to someone about resources available to elders
almost any time of the day. Aging Information
Specialists are
available Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. But, how will people know
this?
By spreading the word! Starting on April 30, listen to
Boston's WROR (105.7 FM) for creative advertisements
that talk about 1-800-AGE-INFO. Two spots have been
developed and will run for three weeks--around
Mother's Day--at all times of the day and night. The
purpose? To get more people to use this great
resource.
Read more... »
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| Guarded Optimism |
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Elders and their advocates had some good news on
Wednesday, April 23, when the House Ways and Means
Committee (of the Massachusetts Legislature)
recommended level funding for most home care
programs. Considering the current economic crisis, this
strong commitment to serving elders clearly
demonstrates the
lawmakers' admirable concern for elders and home care.
The cost-saving program Community Choices,
which
puts community care on equal footing with nursing
home care, was also funded.
Why guarded optimism then? Because of sweeping
organizational changes, the Executive Office of Elder
Affairs (EOEA) will seemingly play a small role in the
future of elder services. Although EOEA maintains a
cabinet-level secretary, most of its current
responsibilities will fall under the Executive Office of
Health and Human Services (EOHHS) in the following
year. Is this merely consolidation or something more?
Will EOHHS, which controls Medicaid, be the strong
elder advocate that EOEA is? Will Prescription
Advantage be gone forever? These questions are
important and bring out the caution flag.
We need to continue to support the laws, funding, and
organizational structure that ensure elders receive the
care they deserve. We must also support lawmakers
who, faced with difficult decisions, chose to protect
elder home care in the coming year.
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