FEBRUARY ARTICLE: Celebrating 50 Years of Care and Collaboration
OCES is commemorating their “50 Years of Care and Collaboration” by highlighting others who are also striving to create a better community. We urge you to nominate a colleague or organization who deserves recognition.
OCES helps keep individuals healthy, safe, and independent so that they can thrive at home and in their community. Last year alone, OCES provided essential services and supports to more than 25,286 older adults and people with disabilities living in greater Plymouth County.
For example, older adults in need of light housekeeping, laundry, and grocery shopping may receive homemaker services. Personal care assistance is available for those who need help with bathing and dressing. Older adults who are having difficulty balancing their checkbook and keeping track of monthly expenses and bill paying, may receive Money Management Program assistance. Homebound individuals who are unable to prepare their own meals or who need medically tailored meals (low sodium, cardiac, etc.) can benefit from nutritionally-sound home delivered meals (Meals on Wheels).
These are just a few in-home services that OCES, in collaboration with our service providers, offer to consumers in need.
OCES provides life-supporting care through a broad range of services and programs such as Adult Family Care, Behavioral Health, Caregiver Support, Community Housing Options, Adult Protective Services, Health Insurance and Budget Guidance, Life Planning at Any Age and Nutrition.
Milestones
Founded in 1974, OCES continues to grow and evolve. There have been many milestones over the years including creation of the Greater Brockton Area Hoarding Task Force; establishment of the first Supportive Housing Program in Brockton; and formalization of an Internship Program with Bridgewater State University. In 2013, the first annual Elder Abuse Awareness event was held in Brockton.
In the years that followed, Healthy Living Workshops, Buried in Treasures Workshops, Caregiver Support and other programs were established. OCES opened a second office in Plymouth that features a dedicated Volunteer Center for volunteer recruitment for OCES, other nonprofits, schools and agencies in Southeastern MA. And in 2023, OCES established a Behavioral Health and Wellness Program with an Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT) that provides behavioral health and wellness supports to older adults and people with disabilities who may be isolated or encounter barriers that limit access to behavioral health care.
Creating Better Futures
OCES is dedicated to creating better futures for everyone we serve and communities at large.
As OCES celebrates “50 Years of Care and Collaboration”, we will recognize others who are also striving to create better futures. OCES will spotlight outstanding individuals and organizations whose actions and/or leadership have exemplified care and collaboration.
We invite you to nominate any individual or organization that has positively impacted any community in OCES’ service area; whose actions and/or leadership align with OCES’ mission and vision; and that exemplifies one or more of OCES’ core values.
For full details and to nominate an individual or organization, click here.
Recent News
by Kerry Zingaro
OCTOBER ARTICLE: How Can We Be More Age-Inclusive?
October 9th is Ageism Awareness Day, an opportunity to bring attention to ageism in society and its impact on individuals and communities. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) joins the American Society on Aging (ASA) in recognizing Ageism Awareness Day and promoting age-inclusion.
Read more … OCTOBER ARTICLE: How Can We Be More Age-Inclusive?
by Kerry Zingaro
OCES Announces Expansion to Serve More - The organization now serves 34 communities across Plymouth County and the South Shore
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, has expanded its territory to serve 11 additional towns in the South Shore.
by Kerry Zingaro
Putting the Spotlight on Local Caregivers During National Family Caregivers Month – OCES Encourages Caregiver Nominations through October 12th
National Family Caregivers Month, celebrated every November, recognizes the dedication and compassion of family caregivers in our communities.
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP’s Caregiving in the US 2025 report, one in four adults, 63 million Americans, are family caregivers. A significant number of family caregivers care for adults with complex medical conditions or disabilities, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
by Kerry Zingaro
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Read more … For the Fourth Consecutive Year, OCES Recognized as one of “Best Places to Work”
by Kerry Zingaro
SEPTEMBER ARTICLE: Making it Grand. 5 Tips for Transitioning Routines to Support Back-to-school Schedules.
National Grandparents Day is a special day dedicated to honoring grandparents and recognizing the important roles they play in our families and communities. It is celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day, which falls on September 13th this year.
by Kerry Zingaro
AUGUST ARTICLE: Spotlight on Self-Care during National Wellness Month
Did you know that it’s National Wellness Month? This month, we celebrate physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
It’s all about making self-care a priority, fostering healthy habits and reducing stress.
Read more … AUGUST ARTICLE: Spotlight on Self-Care during National Wellness Month
by Kerry Zingaro
OCES Announces Upcoming LGBTQ+ Brunches for Older Adults
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The monthly Saturday brunch program, operated and supported by OCES’ Nutrition Program, is for LGBTQ+ older adults who live on the South Shore and in the greater Plymouth County area.
Read more … OCES Announces Upcoming LGBTQ+ Brunches for Older Adults
by Kerry Zingaro
Hundreds participate in local marches to raise awareness of elder abuse.
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) in June, two Marches Against Elder Abuse events brought hundreds together to raise awareness about elder abuse.
Read more … Hundreds participate in local marches to raise awareness of elder abuse.
by Kerry Zingaro
JULY ARTICLE: Maintaining and Celebrating Independence as We Age
As we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, it also reminds us of another meaningful form of independence, one that is deeply valued across all cultures and communities, including the Cape Verdean and Asian communities, where older adults are honored for their wisdom, resilience, and important role within the family. Maintaining independence while aging is not only about remaining at home safely, but also about preserving dignity, cultural connections, and quality of life.
Read more … JULY ARTICLE: Maintaining and Celebrating Independence as We Age
by Kerry Zingaro
Community Options Ep. 322 - July is National Minority Mental Health Month
A conversation with Armindo Rocha, Volunteer & Healthy Living Program Manager, Michelle Fontes, Adult Family Care Intake & Assessment Supervisor and Tremeda Martin, Home Care Transition Support Supervisor from OCES about National Minority Mental Health Month.
Read more … Community Options Ep. 322 - July is National Minority Mental Health Month
