Berkshire Senior Online

North Adams Resident Lona Barney has been hired as a case manager, to assess the needs of elders who need help at home, and decide with them what services they need. These may include personal care, housekeeping or Meals on Wheels. Following reassessing, Barney will then secure the services necessary to help elders remain in their own homes. She will also keep in touch with them to be sure all is going well. Barney brings to Elder Services five years of experience as a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant at North Adams Commons, and she has a BA in Psychology from North Adams State College.

Jill Gallagher, one of Elder Services’ Information and Referral/Intake Specialists, has joined the Protective Services department as an Enhanced Elder Intervention Specialist. She will provide casework, counseling, and support services to elders who do not meet the criteria for other programs and who would be unable to remain safely in the community without intervention. A Pittsfield resident, Gallagher has an Associate’s Degree from Berkshire Community College, and a BA in Communications from Bridgewater State College.

Elder Services Case Manager Cynthia Costello has been promoted to Client Services Supervisor. She will oversee implementation of services provided through the Home Care, Information and Referral/Intake and nutrition programs, provide staff training, and assist with staff supervision and file monitoring. A Pittsfield resident, Costello has her Bachelor’s from Ball State University in Muncie Indiana, and previously worked as Director of Admissions for the Dobb’s Ferry, New York Community Hospital.