Homepage
-- Programs and Services -- Contact Information From the Director
2006... The Year in Review By Robert P. Dean
This has been a busy year for Elder Services... and there is good news to report:
The roll-out of the new Medicare Part D Prescription Drug benefit, which began January 1, 2006, has been a great success here in Berkshire County. As the result of a tireless effort by Elder Services SHINE counselors and other elder advocates, Berkshire seniors and caregivers have had the opportunity to receive the information they need to choose the prescription drug plan that is best for them. There is still more to do. The current open enrollment period for Medicare Part D, which began November 15 ends December 31. It is important to enroll as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving enrollment cards and other pertinent information. Contact Elder Services SHINE program to receive impartial, unbiased, understandable health insurance information.
The conversion of Crossway Village in Lee from a vacant school into 38 units of affordable senior housing with enriched services is now a reality. The building is beautiful, and fully occupied. There is already a waiting list to get in, indicative of the need and the desire for additional senior housing of this type.
In regards to advocacy, the Equal Choice bill, which was unanimously approved by both branches of the state Legislature, is now law - bringing to fruition a five-year legislative effort to give seniors and individuals with disabilities the choice of where they will receive their long-term care services. The new Equal Choice law states that a senior or individual with disabilities, who is eligible for MassHealth (Medicaid) benefits, “shall be given the choice of care setting that is the least restrictive and most appropriate to meet his or her needs,” which means that these individuals can now choose to receive their long-term care services at home if that is the most appropriate setting. Additionally, the new Equal Choice law will seek to expand the income criteria for those seniors and individuals who are clinically eligible for the Equal Choice benefit so that more people will be financially eligible for the program. Thanks to all in Berkshire County who helped to make Equal Choice a reality. A special thanks to state Representatives Daniel Bosley, Denis Guyer, William “Smitty” Pignatelli, and Christopher Speranzo, and out-going Senator Andrea Nuciforo for their support of Equal Choice.
Our Home Care and Meals on Wheels programs are serving more frail homebound elders - with greater needs - than ever before. Our Home Care program reached a 10-year high in June and continues to grow. We are now serving more than 1,100 people a month. This past year, our Meals on Wheels drivers traveled 224,000 mile to deliver 208,000 meals. 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. In many cases, the Elder Services staff member, volunteer, or Meals on Wheels driver, may be the only face-to-face contact a 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 elders know that they are not alone and they are not forgotten. Elder Services staff and volunteers work together to ensure that these seniors and all Berkshire seniors receive the services and support that they need to continue to be where they want to be - living in their own homes.
This past year, 434 Elder Services volunteers - with Elder Services staff support - contributed more than 35,000 hours of support and service to Berkshire elders - delivering Meals on Wheels, and helping with the setup, service, and cleanup of 14 lunch sites located throughout Berkshire County, driving seniors to medical appointments, helping with grocery shopping, providing money management assistance, counseling elders on health insurance issues, providing a voice for frail nursing home residents through our Ombudsman program, and serving as companions. Additionally, volunteers help with large mailings and other administrative and clerical tasks, assist with the preparation and mailing of our monthly newspaper Berkshire Senior, and help to film and produce Berkshire Senior TV. Other volunteers help with fundraising activities including the operation of the historic popcorn wagon on Park Square in Pittsfield. Finally - but certainly not least - our Board of Directors and Advisory Council - both comprised entirely of volunteers, are dedicated to providing appropriate guidance and direction to this agency.
Now let’s talk about Elder Services staff. There are 119 full and part time staff. They are a group of extremely dedicated individuals - some work directly with Berkshire elders; others provide essential administrative, supervisory, fiscal, and clerical support. Together they ensure that Elder Services stays true to its mission to provide Berkshire elders the opportunity to live with dignity, independence and self-determination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life. Here are a few of the things Elder Services staff accomplished this year... Information and Referral specialists responded to more than 5,700 inquiries for information about programs or services – basically 5,700 calls for help. Nutrition staff prepared, delivered, and served 259,000 hot, nutritious week-day meals. Protective Services and Elder Intervention Workers continue to help elders who are victims of abuse, or are self-neglecting and unable to remain in the community without intervention. Caregiver staff work to ensure that caregivers receive the supports they need. The staff of our Senior Employment program help seniors find training and employment opportunities. Money Management, SHINE, Nutrition, and Long-Term Care Ombudsman staff train volunteers and provide direct service to seniors. Our Client Services Coordinators, Nurses, and Housing staff continue to ensure that Berkshire seniors receive the in-home services that are most appropriate to their needs... even as those needs continue to change as seniors age in place.
Many thanks to our volunteers and staff, who together are the heart and soul of this great agency. Although we serve more than 10,000 seniors, caregivers, and individuals a year, we serve one person at a time, with care and compassion, thanks to their dedication and commitment. On behalf of those we serve, I would like to thank our Board of Directors, Advisory Council, staff, and volunteers for all you do and for the caring way in which you do it. We truly couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services