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REACH Elder Health Task Force makes impact
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REACH Elder Health Task Force makes impact
By Mary Jo Carpenter and Maria E. Rodriguez-Immerman
During the past year, Americans saw government cutbacks threaten essential services to some of our most vulnerable populations – including the elderly. REACH Health Task Force members didn’t just watch passively. Instead, we got busy devising creative solutions to the challenges of delivering care to elders.
The Task Force is organized by the REACH Community Health Foundation, and is comprised of professionals serving elders across a broad spectrum. The Task Force serves as a kind of “think tank,” encouraging community dialogue about elder health and quality of life, and ensuring that REACH’s programming reflects the needs and interests of the community.
The discussions are more than just theoretical; last year, all of REACH’s grant-making efforts addressed issues raised at Elder Health Task Force meetings. These grants totaled more than $55,000, and were distributed to St. Anthony’s Church, Elder Services’ Building Linkages for Home Safety program, the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program of the Berkshire Center for Families and Children; the WTF’s “Generations” program of the Greylock Theater Project; and the TRIAD program of the Williamstown and North Adams Police Departments.
Among the highlights of recent REACH Elder Health Task Force meetings:
We identified “priority areas” for REACH work. These include affordable services; promotion of independence and self-sufficiency; prevention of accidents and medical issues; communications, including availability/accessibility of information, creation of social networks, and outreach to isolated elders; transportation that meets seniors’ needs; aid for activities of daily living (including monitoring of medication); psychosocial assessments; intergenerational support, education, and services; education and training about available services; access and linkages to services and the community; and long-term sustainability and advocacy. These priorities will inform and guide all future REACH programming.
Attorney Robert Ware spoke about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care proxies.
Northern Berkshires transportation issues were addressed by Charles "Chuck" MacNeil and Roger Brechner of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority.
Beth Parker O’Brien, Chair of the Horizon Fund, presented the newly-established Caregivers’ Lending Library at the North Adams Regional Hospital.
Robert McDonough from the Sheriff’s Department and Richard Nicholas of Dalton explained the TRIAD program, a collaborative partnership between neighborhoods, citizen groups and agencies that solve community problems related to crime, social and physical disorders and neighborhood conditions affecting elders.
A June panel discussion on elder autonomy focused on the need for seniors to be involved in decisions affecting them. Former Executive Director of Elder Services Catherine R. May moderated a presentation by VNA and Hospice of Northern Berkshire President Pat Campbell, Williamstown Commons Social Worker Jody Green, Elder Services Protective Services Supervisor Sue Geary, and Elder Services Case Manager Gary Lecuyer.
During a sobering discussion in April, we realized just how much government shortfalls could impact services to elders – making our work seem all the more urgent.
This fall, the REACH Elder Health Task Force has kicked off another year of information sharing and action around issues impacting Northern Berkshire elders. If you would like to attend a meeting, have a topic to suggest, or would just like more information, contact lmccarthy@nbhealth.org.
Mary Jo Carpenter is a member of Elder Services Advisory Council and of the REACH Community Health Foundation Board of Directors. María E. Rodríguez-Immerman is the Vice President of Operations at REACH.