From the Director
Elder Services' 2007 year-in-review
By Robert P. Dean
Here at Elder Services, we recognize the overwhelming preference of Berkshire County seniors to continue to live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible... and if or when they need long-term care services, to receive those services at home. At the heart of Elder Services is our commitment to honor this preference with all the resources available to us.
During the past year, we served more seniors than ever before, supporting them in their desire to continue to live in their own homes and communities, with dignity and independence, and to achieve the highest quality of life.
This has been a good year for Elder Services, and I’d like to share a few of the milestones we achieved in 2007 with you: The Richard and Rita Gallagher Alzheimer’s Resource Center celebrated its 10 year anniversary. The Center, which is a lending library of books, videos, and other helpful information about Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving, and a variety of other topics, has been refurbished.
In collaboration with the North Adams Housing Authority, we introduced Residential Service Coordination to the residents of their North Adams locations. We now have an office on-site and are able to provide these residents with case management, coordination of in home services, and information on health insurance, public benefits, and other programs and services.
Our Home Care and Meals on Wheels programs are serving more frail homebound seniors - with greater needs - than ever before.
A year ago, I reported that our Home Care programs had reached a 10-year high in June 2006. These Home Care programs continued to grow throughout 2007. As of September 2007, we are serving almost 1,200 seniors each month in these programs.
In 2007, Elder Services served the 3 millionth meal since our Lanesboro kitchen opened in 1994. That’s 3 million meals in 13 years.
This past year, our Lanesboro kitchen prepared more than 270,000 meals, an increase of 11,000 meals from the year before.
The typical senior served by our Home Care and Meals on Wheels programs is between 75 and 90 years old, female, widowed, and living alone, on a fixed income.
In many cases, the Elder Services staff member, volunteer, or Meals on Wheels driver, may be the only face-to-face contact this senior has that day. These one-to-one connections are perhaps the most important of all - because these connections are the ones that let home-bound Berkshire seniors know that they are not alone and they are not forgotten.
The theme of this year’s Elder Services’ Volunteer Recognition Dinner was that volunteers are a priceless treasure. And they most certainly are. This past year, more than 430 Elder Services volunteers - with Elder Services staff support - contributed more than 30,000 hours of support and service to Berkshire elders.
Elder Services staff work tirelessly to ensure that each senior receives the services he or she needs to continue to be where they want to be - living in their own homes. The staff is a group of extremely dedicated individuals - some work directly with seniors; others provide essential administrative, supervisory, fiscal, and clerical support. Together they ensure that Elder Services stays true to our mission to provide Berkshire seniors the opportunity to live with dignity, independence and self-determination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
On behalf of Elder Services, I would like to thank our Board of Directors, Advisory Council, staff, and volunteers for all you do and for the caring and compassionate way in which you do it. Thank you.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services
