2000 Monthly News
December
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2000 Monthly News
December
Gout is more than
a rich man’s disease!!
State awards Long Term Care Ombudsman recognition
Dear Reader:
Elder Services Hails Older Americans Act Reauthorization
From the Director
It’s storming! Will my meal be delivered?
It’s storming! Will my meal be delivered?
By Al Stump
Every Monday through Friday more than 700 seniors in Berkshire County have a hot, nutritious meal delivered to their door by Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels Program. These are frail elders who cannot easily leave their homes and who have no one to prepare such a meal for them, but what happens when the meals cannot get through because of severe weather?
The Elder Services’ Nutrition Program staff are very concerned about the welfare of all those who receive our meals. Our goal is to "get the meals out" every day. However, when the safety of the drivers would be compromised by travel in extreme weather conditions, the meals are not delivered. To attend to those instances, we do several things.
By October 1 each year, designated at risk Meals on Wheels recipients receive three shelf stable meals which require no cooking. These are replaced as needed throughout the season.
Local radio stations ( WBEC, WBRK, WUPE, WSBS, WMNB) are notified of meal delivery cancellations and announcements are made.
When meals cannot be delivered, Meals on Wheels drivers call each person on their routes to determine their status. If there is cause for concern, the Elder Services office is notified, and the appropriate community emergency response team is called.
Elder Services is committed to meeting the needs of all those who receive our services. If you are concerned about the delivery of meals to yourself or an elder, please give us a call at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.
Al Stump is Community Services Director for Elder Services.