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
March Against Elder Abuse in Brockton and Plymouth. Local marches held in June raise awareness of elder abuse.
June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and to raise awareness, local “March Against Elder Abuse” events will be held in Brockton and Plymouth, MA.
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), in partnership with the Brockton Council on Aging, Plymouth Center for Active Living, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, and Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office will hold two FREE one-mile marches to raise awareness of elder abuse in June.
by Kerry Zingaro
Alexandra Strangis of OCES Named “40 Under 40” Honoree
June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and to raise awareness, local “March Against Elder Abuse” events will be held in Brockton and Plymouth, MA.
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), in partnership with the Brockton Council on Aging, Plymouth Center for Active Living, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, and Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office will hold two FREE one-mile marches to raise awareness of elder abuse in June.
Read more … Alexandra Strangis of OCES Named “40 Under 40” Honoree
by Kerry Zingaro
JUNE ARTICLE: Celebrating Pride Month and Honoring Diversity
June is Pride Month, a time to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, an event that sparked a global movement for the rights and recognition of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community. Join OCES in remembering this important time in history and in celebrating Pride Month.
Read more … JUNE ARTICLE: Celebrating Pride Month and Honoring Diversity
by Kerry Zingaro
Honoring Volunteers - OCES Presents Awards to Local Volunteers at Appreciation Luncheon
Read more … Honoring Volunteers - OCES Presents Awards to Local Volunteers at Appreciation Luncheon
by Kerry Zingaro
MAY ARTICLE: May is Older Americans Month
In May, we celebrate Older Americans Month which is led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Older Americans Month is a time to recognize older Americans contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving older adults in our communities.
by Kerry Zingaro
APRIL ARTICLE: Get Involved. Volunteer on Earth Day during National Volunteer Month
Earth Day, Wednesday April 22, is a day to raise environmental awareness and take action to preserve and protect our planet.
Ensuring clean air, clean water and a healthy environment is essential. Everyone has a role to play and can make a difference. There are many ways to get involved on Earth Day. Attend an event, gain a better understanding about Earth Day and share that knowledge with others.
Read more … APRIL ARTICLE: Get Involved. Volunteer on Earth Day during National Volunteer Month
by Kerry Zingaro
"March for Meals" highlights the importance of the Nutrition Program for older adults
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) announced its participation in the 20th annual March for Meals Campaign. The month of March was recognized nationwide as the time when local Meals on Wheels programs come together to raise awareness and help demonstrate the importance of this vital program.
Read more … "March for Meals" highlights the importance of the Nutrition Program for older adults
by Kerry Zingaro
MARCH ARTICLE: Honoring Women in Social Work
March is both Women’s History Month and Social Work Month! In recognition of both, we’re honoring dedicated women in the social work profession
by Kerry Zingaro
OCES is Participating in the March for Meals Campaign - Nutrition Program in Urgent Need of Support
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in greater Plymouth County is participating in the March for Meals campaign, a national effort to raise awareness about senior hunger and the importance of nutrition services.
by Kerry Zingaro
OCES Employees Honored with Milestone Awards
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) honored 24 staff members, including their Chief Executive Officer Nicole Long, with milestone awards during their annual staff meeting in January.
