Honoring Grandparents
National Grandparents Day is a special holiday to honor grandparents and is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, which falls on September 10th this year.
Grandparents play an important role in grandchildren’s lives and their bond is special.
Love, knowledge, strength, and comfort come to mind when we think of grandparents. Grandparents can offer a wealth of experience, as well as an attentive ear and guidance. Many grandparents are involved in their grandchildren’s lives in a myriad of ways -- cheering them on at their soccer games or music recitals; teaching them new skills such as baking cookies or throwing a football; sharing family traditions; creating special holiday memories and more.
The number of grandparents raising grandchildren is on the rise. When parents are unable to raise their children, grandparents are often the ones stepping up. In Massachusetts, there are 27,035 grandparents responsible for their grandchildren, and more than half of these grandparents are 60 years and older, according to GrandFacts: State Fact Sheets for Grandfamilies (Grandfamilies.org).
Raising grandchildren can have many rewards, such as giving grandchildren a sense of security and keeping the family together. Yet, it can also bring many challenges. No matter how much grandparents love their grandkids, taking them into their home requires many adjustments, such as unexpected costs and financial challenges and adjusting to new habits.
Resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Did you know? Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) has a Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) which reassures families that they are not alone and that resources are available to assist them in their caregiving. The FCSP works with people of all ages, including grandparents raising grandchildren.
OCES’ FCSP empowers grandparents by providing resources and support, through OCES programs as well as other resources in the community, to help with caregiving. OCES’S FCSP can provide one-on-one support to grandparents by creating a personalized care plan which outlines available resources appropriate to their caregiving situation. Resources may range from caregiver support groups and educational workshops or programs that share techniques to help family caregivers with stress reduction, time management, goal setting, problem-solving and relaxation. Additional resources for grandparents may include help with summer camps and technology, as well as respite.
To learn more about how OCES’ FCSP helps grandparents raising grandchildren and other caregivers navigate one of life’s challenging but most rewarding jobs,
visit www.ocesma.org/getting-started/caregiver-support/ or call 508-584-1561.
Grandparents Family Cookout
In celebration of National Grandparents Day, OCES and Old Colony YMCA Middleboro are presenting a Grandparents Family Cookout on September 22, 2023 (rain date September 23) from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Camp Yomechas at 375 Wareham Street in Middleboro. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Tickets are required for all attendees including adults and children. To register and request tickets, please visit the following link, htps://www.eventbrite.com/e/grandparents-family-cookout-tickets-681757654497
OCES, a nonprofit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Plymouth County and surrounding towns, offers programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information, visit ocesma.org.
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
For the Fourth Consecutive Year, OCES Recognized as one of “Best Places to Work”
For the fourth consecutive year, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Plymouth County, the South Shore and surrounding areas, has been named as one of the “2026 Best Places to Work” by Cape & Plymouth Marketing.
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
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities throughout Plymouth County, the South Shore and surrounding area, has announced the schedule for the South Shore LGBTQ+ Brunch for Older Adults program.
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
