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Greetings,
May has been a busy time at MVES. Our new campaign,
The Campaign for Independence, kicked off with an
evening reception. This edition of The Beacon
also introduces you to a client who pays particular
attention to the baseball season. While baseball season
is in full swing, tax season is over--but you still might
be able to get a rebate (see "Possbile Tax Rebate").
And,
please read about our annual volunteer banquet where
we recognize the important work of our many
volunteers.
Please let us know if you have suggestions for The
Beacon.
| MVES Recognizes Work Of Volunteers |
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Volunteers are a major part of Mystic Valley Elder
Services and their dedication and generosity is
inspiring. Among many other programs, volunteers
spend time visiting homebound elders, serving food at
meal sites, and reading to children. Last year
volunteers from MVES and RSVP (a collaborating
volunteer organization) gave 31,000 hours of time to 15
programs. MVES recognized this dedication at the
annual Volunteer Banquet on May 4 when 190
volunteers came to celebrate their accomplishments.
Emceed by Bob Martin, MVES' program coordinator for
Money Management, the event included a festive
dinner, a slide show, and a raffle. Held at the Irish
American Club, the night featured entertainment from
the band "The Swingers" who played a range of big
band and patriotic songs. After dinner, volunteers and
guests sang the familiar songs with the band and a few
people even danced.
Read more... »
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| Establishing An Endowment For Elder Independence |
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Did you know that in Massachusetts if you are over 60,
single, and have an annual income of $20,779 or more,
you don't qualify for government-funded home care
assistance? Or, if you have a low income and are
struggling with personal health care problems that limit
your ability to do laundry, manage your prescription
medications, or keep your house clean, you may not
qualify for home care assistance? Unfortunately, you
may not be considered disabled or frail enough yet to
qualify for government programs, which require a
certain number and type of needs to qualify for
services.
MVES tries to respond to--and unfortunately must turn
away--older adults in need of services who fall outside
of the strict government guidelines. Some of these
elders who go without services are one healthcare
crisis away from
hospitalization or nursing home care. MVES wants to
do everything possible to prevent these elders from
prematurely losing their independence. The agency
wishes to develop a flexible source of financial
resources to help those elders who do not qualify for
government assistance yet need services in the
communities of Malden, Medford, Melrose, Everett,
Stoneham, Reading, North Reading, and Wakefield.
Read more... »
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| Profile: A Leader In Sports Advertising |
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Albert Leonard is a 92-year old MVES client who lives in
Melrose. A recent visit to Leonard's house found him
watching a baseball game on television. He even
watched the commercials. But, for a reason.
Raised in Roxbury, Leonard attended Boston Latin High
School. After graduation, he attended Bentley College
at night, which at the time had a Boston location. All of
17 years old, Leonard worked at the Gillette Company
during the day. Although Leonard started his career at
Gillette in accounting, he soon began working in
advertising for the company. By 19 he was the
assistant advertising manager.
Read more... »
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| Possible Tax Rebate |
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Question: A neighbor of mine received some type of
rebate on her property taxes. She knows I am
struggling to make ends meet with my monthly
expenses. We are about the same age and our homes
are comparable in value. How do I find out if I could
qualify?
Answer: The American dream of owning a home in a
nice neighborhood turns into a nightmare for many older
adults when they realize they can no longer afford to
live in that house due to increasing property taxes and
water and sewer charges. The value of the home has
probably appreciated significantly over the years while
at the same time the owner's income has decreased
because of retirement. The "house rich and cash poor"
dilemma has forced many older homeowners into a
painful decision to sell their property.
Read more... »
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| Reaching Out To Elders And Caregivers |
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We are fortunate at MVES to be able to offer a range
of
services for many elders and caregivers. Many
programs are available to all elders and caregivers.
Other programs, such as the state home care program,
have specific income and need requirements determined
by the government. What if
an elder doesn't meet the predefined requirements?
They go without.
No agency can be expected to provide subsidized
services to all people. But, MVES finds itself refusing
services to people who are just outside those stringent
requirements set by the government. Perhaps a person
is $100 over income. Or, maybe they don't have
enough unmet critical needs.
The sad reality is that some frail elders aren't getting
the services they need to remain independent. These
elders are left out because they have just enough
money to exclude them from subsidized help but not
enough money to pay for help. Or, they are excluded
because as disabled as they may be, the guidelines
don't say they're at-risk enough to qualify for services.
So, what about these elders who sit on the border of
eligibility? They become more at-risk because they
don't have the help they need. They go to hospitals or
nursing homes, places where they don't necessarily
want to be. Independence is lost quickly--and it
wouldn't have been lost at all if only they could have
received a small amount of help.
Read more...
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