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The BayPath Bulletin
News | Events | Resources
MARCH 2019
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We empower individuals across the lifespan to live with dignity and independence in the community setting of their choice by providing quality resources and services.
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Local Legislators are pictured with our Nutrition Supervisor,
Allison Park, delivering meals in person to local seniors.
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March for Meals:
A Meals on Wheels program that puts extra emphasis on celebrating the seniors we serve during the month of March.
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Meals on Wheels
programs have come together every March since 2002 to put a public emphasis on the work they do every day.
March for Meals
shines a spotlight on how the proven collaboration of local communities, government servants and agencies, and local businesses have put forth for decades helps ensure the reliable delivery of a nutritious meal and, more importantly, that our seniors are never forgotten
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Why the extra emphasis in March?
As detailed on the Meals for Wheels website, on March 22, 1972, President
Richard Nixon
signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. For more than 45 years, these critical programs – commonly referred to as Meals on Wheels –
have been a valuable source of nutrition and social connection.
These programs provide a personal visit to these older adults who may otherwise spend their day alone. This month-long celebration increases awareness and volunteer efforts that help ensure seniors in your neighborhood can live more socially active, healthy lives in their homes, where they want to be.
BayPath is proud to be a longstanding partner of Meals on Wheels America. In support of March for Meals, our Nutrition Director,
Denise Menzdorf
, and our Nutrition Supervisor,
Allison Park
, coordinated efforts with MetroWest Legislators to provide meals and an extra special visit to consumers in our MetroWest communities.
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↑
State Representative, Maria Robinson
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↑
Framingham Mayor, Yvonne Spicer
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↑ State Representative, Jack Lewis
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↑ State Representative,
Carolyn Dykema, with the Meals on Wheels Site Manager and Allison Park.
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Calling for Grant Proposals
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BayPath Elder Services Invites Older Americans Act Grant Applications.
Call for Letters of Intent
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BayPath Elder Services, Inc. is now accepting applications for grants under the Older Americans Act, Title III, Parts B (supportive services) and E (support services for family caregivers). Grants will be awarded through a competitive proposal review process. Proposals should detail how any funds awarded would support and extend comprehensive and coordinated services enabling persons age 60 and over to remain living in their homes and communities.
The communities eligible to apply for grant through BayPath are Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland and Westborough.
Proposals must support or extend (1) access to services, (2) in-home services, (3) legal services, (4) community-based services and/or (5) nutrition services. Grant year is October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020.
LETTER OF INTENT - Submission Content:
- A brief program description
- Budget estimates
- Number of elders/caregivers to be served
- Estimated service units
- Community or communities to be served
DEADLINE:
- LETTER OF INTENT: Due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.
- Note: The "Letters of Intent" will be screened and the applications for Title III funding will then be issued to appropriate agencies and programs.
- FINAL GRANT APPLICATION: Due by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 3, 2019.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SESSION
- for prospective applicants:
- WHEN: Thursday, May 9, 2019 @ 10 a.m., at BayPath Elder Services, 33 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA 01752
- RSVP: To attend the technical assistance session, or for further information, contact Fran Bakstran at 508-573-7346 or fbakstran@baypath.org.
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CARF Accreditation
A survey team from
CARF
(Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) will be visiting BayPath April 10 through April 12 to conduct a survey of our Adult Foster Care (AFC) Program.
All AFC Programs in Massachusetts are required to be accredited by July 1, 2019. We invited CARF to evaluate how well we meet international standards for quality. The survey will tell us what we are doing well and ways we might improve. Our aim is to earn a three-year accreditation through this process.
As part of the survey, the surveyor will interview people who receive AFC services, their families, BayPath staff, and others. BayPath staff have been working on quality improvements for the past year and a half, and we are excited to bring our work to fruition.
For further information about BayPath’s CARF survey, please contact our Adult Foster Care Department at 508-573-7200.
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A spotlight on the vital services and programs at BayPath
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In each edition of the BayPath Bulletin, we will be showcasing a different BayPath program and how it helps serve our consumers and local communities.
Being active participants in the Meals on Wheels March for Meals program, we are dedicating this issues spotlight to our dedicated Nutrition Group.
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The
Elder Nutrition Program (ENP) is a community nutrition services program for older adults that is state and federal funded and administered by BayPath. ENP at BayPath is one of 26 nutrition programs throughout the state of Massachusetts, which collectively serve over 8.5 million meals to seniors each year.
What nutrition services does BayPath provide?
- Home Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels): Nutritious meals that are delivered to homebound seniors to encourage better health, reduce isolation and promote independence. Each no-salt meal consists of at least 1/3 of the current Recommended Daily Allowance of nutrients and considers the special dietary needs of seniors.
- Congregate Lunch Program: This program provides an opportunity for socialization and companionship, while enjoying a home cooked and nutritionally balanced meal. Also known as The Senior Lunch Program, this program provides at least one meal per day at senior centers, churches, schools and other applicable locations in our MetroWest communities. Additionally, participants can receive nutrition education, exercise activities, general health and disease prevention tips.
- Nutrition Counseling: Healthy lifestyle and good medical care can help keep the mind, like the body, active and well. Through the advice of a Registered Dietitian, ENP offers medical nutrition therapy, guiding consumers through education to develop an eating plan that promotes optimal health by teaching participants to identify healthy food choices and support a healthy digestive system.
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Nutrition services help to address
a number of challenges faced by seniors, including poor diets,
health problems, food insecurity, isolation and loneliness.
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A Home Care visit with Representative
Jack Patrick Lewis
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A personal visit with a BayPath consumer
We were honored when State Representative
Jack Patrick Lewis
shared with us that he was interested in learning more about BayPath Elder Services, Inc.'s programs and how we support members of the MetroWest community.
Initially speaking with our Director of Client Services,
Theresa Eckstrom
, Representative Lewis then coordinated with
Christine Wilcox
,
Home Care/Frail Elder Waiver Case Manager at BayPath
. A day and time were selected for Rep. Lewis to join Christine on a visit to a homebound consumer of BayPath who is currently a participant in our Home Care program and also utilizes the benefits of our
Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program.
The conversation revealed the depth of knowledge the consumer currently possessed due to her association with BayPath and how she felt enabled to maintain an independent lifestyle in the absence of immediate family to help support her desire to live out her life within her own home.
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Representative Lewis, spent time speaking with the consumer about her specific healthcare and daily living needs.
The two had an open and frank discussion on how BayPath supported her in understanding the options and programs available to her and continued to help her make her own informed decisions about with of these options best suited her needs.
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The additional outcome of the visit was that the consumer thoroughly enjoyed this time spent with Representative Lewis. In addition to daily living and healthcare assistance, providing older and home bound residents with an opportunity to be an active participant within their community and have their voices heard is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do at BayPath.
We thank Representative Lewis for his dedication to his constituents and his interest in BayPath and Massachusetts
Aging Services Access Points.
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March 20, 2019
The Nutrition Department, led by Director
Denise Menzdorf, hosted an in-house training in honor of National Nutrition Month. The topics discussed focused on the therapeutic meals options offered by Meals on Wheels, what meal options can be offered to consumers with with special dietary restrictions, and learning how to identify food allergies. These topics received the most votes from attendees at an earlier training on understanding, identifying and preventing malnutrition.
Traci Robidoux, our Registered Dietitian,
Allison Park, our Nutrition Supervisor, and
Lauren Staples, our
Nutrition Specialist who does initial home visits to consumers referred for Meals on Wheels, presented this important training to all BayPath staff who meet with consumers.
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Traci Robidoux, Lauren Staples, Allison Park
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A shout out goes to Home Care’s Case Manager,
Christine Musella, who received unsolicited praise (the best kind) from a consumer!
We do what we do at BayPath because we care. The reward for our efforts is knowing at the end of the day that we help someone live a little easier each day. But it is always nice to be recognized, especially when we least expect it.
This was the case recently when BayPath received a phone call from a
consumer who raved about what a sweetheart Christine was and how very caring, compassionate, and helpful she was during a home visit. She stated that BayPath was very lucky to have her on board and we agree! Well done Christine!
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Caregiving MetroWest - News and Updates
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Are you a Caregiver?
Before you can get the help and support you need, you need to understand the role you've taken on.
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For more information about our Family Caregiver Support Program, call 508-573-7239. Also don't forget to check out all the information and resources available for caregivers on our nationally-award winning website,
Caregiving MetroWest.
As always, we would also like to express our gratitude to
Avidia Bank, our Community Partner whose generous support helps increase and enhance our efforts to support and assist area family caregivers.
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Events and Happenings
Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters
Alzheimer's and other dementia's cause memory, thinking and behavior problems that interfere with daily living. Join us to learn how to recognize common signs of the disease; how to approach someone about memory concerns; the importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; possible tests and assessments for the diagnostic process, and Alzheimer's Association resources.
Thursday, April 25, 2019, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Franklin High School - 218 Oak St, Franklin, MA
Registration required.
2019 AlzTalks Series: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Late Life & in Early Alzheimer's Disease
Dr. Jennifer R. Gatchel, M.D., Ph.D. , Assistant Psychiatrist in the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Instructor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School will present on this topic at the Alzheimer's Association Worcester Office
Thursday April 18th, 2019, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
(5:30 p.m. Reception | 6:00 p.m. Program)
100 North Parkway, Worcester, MA 01605
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Information and Caregiving Tips
If Depression could talk, what would it say?
A 3-part series
Q&A session covering issues involving
depression
among older adults and
caregivers
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Meaningful hobbies and social activities for seniors living with the challenges of dementia and memory loss.
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More About BayPath Elder Services, Inc.
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Founded in 1977 as a nonprofit corporation, BayPath has over 40 years of experience serving and advocating for the needs of older adults as a designated Massachusetts Aging Services Access Point and a designated Area Agency on Aging.
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Thank you for reading through our newsletter!
Have news, information or feedback from a client
that you want to see in our next newsletter?
Email us!
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BayPath Elder Services, Inc. is a member of the MetroWest ADRC,
a partnership with HESSCO and the MetroWest Center for Independent Living.
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