Berkshire Senior Online

Home Care program reaches 10 year high

By Robert P. Dean

 Each year, Elder Services serves more than 10,000 seniors, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers. Our goal is to provide programs, services, and supports that allow individuals to remain in their own homes, living with dignity and independence. Our two largest programs are Nutrition/Meals on Wheels and Home Care. During the past year the number of seniors served in each of these programs has continued to grow. In June the combined

number served by our core Home Care programs (State Home Care, Enhanced Community Options, and Community Choices) grew to 1085 seniors, which is the highest level in at least ten years. Our previous high during the past 10 years was the 1,072 seniors served by these core Home Care programs in January 2002. This was just as the impact of the revenue shortfalls which precipitated the state budget crisis of 2002 began to be fully

realized. The resultant reduced funding meant we had to limit the number of eligible seniors we could serve, which led to waiting lists for the remainder of 2002 and beyond. We are pleased to report that there have been no waiting lists for the past few years and that the number of seniors served by the Home Care programs has been growing steadily. The Home Care programs offer in-home services to eligible Berkshire elders, including, but not limited to, assistance with personal care needs (getting dressed and ready for the day) and homemaking (assistance with housecleaning, laundry, and meal

preparation). A comprehensive list of the in-home and community services Elder Services provides is outlined on the next page. While our core Home Care programs have continued to grow, so has Meals on Wheels. Last year, our Lanesboro kitchen prepared over 262,000 meals, an increase of 10,000 from the previous year. Over 206,000 of these meals were delivered directly to the homes of frail elders, while the remainder were served to seniors who attend the 14 lunch sites located throughout the county. Meals on Wheels drivers traveled 224,000 miles this past year, covering all of Berkshire County.

A “snapshot” of those served by our Home Care programs this past month shows that more than 75% (816 of the 1085) are age 75 or older, including 150 individuals who are age 90 and over, with three over 100. The great majority, 80% (878 of 1085) are female, 63% are widowed, while 14% are married. With regard to living situations, 70% (761 of 1,085) live alone, 13% live with a spouse, 15% with other family members, and the remainder lives with non-family members.  Over 36% live in their own homes, 23% live in Housing Authority units, and 17.5% live in some other form of subsidized housing. The “typical” person served by our Home Care programs is between 75 and 90 years old, female, widowed, and living alone. We at Elder

Services are committed to helping these individuals, and all elders, to continue to live at home with dignity and independence.

On a related note as we go to press, the Equal Choice Bill (numbered S.2273), is scheduled to come to a vote during the last week of July. This important bill would allow seniors and individuals with disabilities, who are eligible for MassHealth (Medicaid) benefits, to receive their care in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs, which means they could choose to receive their care at home.  If this bill passes, it would be an important step in ensuring that in-home services are available to those who need them.

Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services

 

Elder Services Programs & Services

Elder Services of Berkshire County offers a range of programs and services with the goal of helping elders to live with dignity & independence.

For information about any of the programs below, call Elder Services at 1-800-544-5242 or 499-0524. Care