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The BayPath Bulletin
News | Events | Resources
June 2020
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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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June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month!
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June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is dedicated to generating increased conversations, donations, and public awareness about the disease. The goal is to raise funding for prevention, early detection, continued research, and enhanced care support.
Worldwide, 50 million people are living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Join the Alzheimer's Association in going purple and raising awareness this June.
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- More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million.
- Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the united states.
- 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
- In 2020, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $305 billion. By 2050, these costs could rise as high as $1.1 trillion.
- More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
- These caregivers provided an estimated 18.6 billion hours of care valued at nearly $244 billion.
- 82% of primary care physicians say they are on the front lines of providing dementia care.
- 50% of primary care physicians believe that the medical profession is not ready for the growing number of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
- Between 2000 and 2018, deaths from heart disease have decreased 7.8%, while deaths from Alzheimer’s have increased by 146%.
Share the facts and join the fight!
or
Share your Story!
Be part of the Alzheimer's Association gallery by sharing a photo on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtags
#ENDALZ
or
#EndAlzheimers
. Follow them at
@alzassociation or follow us
@baypathelder
to stay tuned in to all the ways you can take action in June and throughout the year.
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Virtual support for those with Alzheimer's or another dementia
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Online options that support the patient and their family caregiver!
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Offered by the Alzheimer's Association in New England, Alz Here for You, is a hub for all COVID-19 related resources and programs. This site includes COVID-19 tip sheets, virtual programs (including specialized support groups and education programs), and social engagement offerings for people living with dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter can help you in many ways. They offer a variety of programs and services for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their family and friends. These programs and services provide information, education, support, and guidance for every stage of the Alzheimer’s journey. Due to the generosity of their donors, most programs and services are free.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, most classes are now offered online. The topics cover every stage of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
The Helpline is available 24/7, (800) 272.3900,
The Helpline open to everyone and offers trained professionals that are available day and night to assist and guide you on all aspects of dementia.
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BayPath can help you over the phone to live a healthier life!
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Tele-Health - Healthy Living Workshops
MY LIFE, MY HEALTH, CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP!
Brought to you via phone conferencing sessions!
1) Weekly sessions - Tuesday's from 1-2 p.m., starting this summer
2) Weekly sessions - Wednesday's from 1-2 p.m., starting this summer
Learn how to manage your health and improve your well-being. This FREE six-week workshop helps you devise a personalized approach to managing
chronic illness
symptoms on a daily basis. Topics include:
- Exercise and nutrition
- Managing pain & fatigue
- Dealing with difficult emotions and depression
- Making informed decisions regarding medications and treatment decisions
For more information and to sign-up today:
Please call
Renee D’Argento
, Healthy Living Program Coordinator at
978-807-3875
or via email
rdargento@baypath.org
.
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Take pride in your individual selves!
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June is Pride Month!
Why was June selected as Pride Month?
According the Library of Congress website, LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan and to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
BayPath is Proud every day!
BayPath Elder Services, Inc.'s mission is to empower individuals across the lifespan to live with dignity and independence in the community setting of their choice by providing quality resources, and services. As part of that mission, BayPath strives to provide the very best information, resources and supports to LGBTQ+ older adults and their allies living in MetroWest.
For more information on our
LGBTQ+ Initiative,
call Program Coordinator
Julie Nowak
on BayPath's confidential LGBTQ+ phone line at 508-573-7288 or email Julie at
jnowak@baypath.org.
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Up coming LGBTQ+ and SOFFA online meet-ups
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NEW!!
THE DUNE SHACK
A Virtual Art Space
YOU are warmly welcome to visit us on Zoom and have some creative fun by visiting our NEW virtual art-space and make something wonderful!
The Dune Shack is a chill, cozy space where you can work on a project in progress or spark your imagination with a fun weekly art project that you can make with materials you already have at home! The first week we made some imaginary friends! The second week we created art that represented the adventures we have had - or would like to have!
Follow us at
Pathways of BayPath
on Facebook to see when the next class is scheduled! It's a lot of fun and you do not have to be artistic to join. The Dune Shack it is about a shared camaraderie, while doing something creative!
Not sure how to use Zoom? Contact
Julie Nowak
, LGBTQ+ Initiative program coordinator at
508-573-7288
(direct line w/voicemail) or
jnowak@baypath.org,
and she will be delighted to walk you through the easy set-up. You can also use Zoom on a smartphone, or just dial in and listen to the fun!
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
-
June 15, 2020
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We all deserve to lead happy and healthy lives free from abuse as we age, yet older people are mistreated more often than we think.
Elder abuse includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, caretaker neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect. According to the
National Council on Aging
,
approximately
1 in 10 Americans aged 60+
have experienced some form of
elder abuse
. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that
only 1 in 14
cases of abuse are reported to authorities.
To make a report of elder abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect, please call the Protective Services Central Intake Unit at
1-800-922-2275
. The Unit is available to accept your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All protective services reports are confidential. Elder Protective Services can only investigate cases of abuse where the person is age 60 and over.
#WEAAD
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A special thank you to the COA of Framingham, MA!
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Donating a surplus of masks to seniors in need!
Grace O’Donnell
, Director of Elder Services at the Council on Aging/Callahan Center, Framingham, reached out to our Nutrition Director,
Denise Menzdorf,
about providing reusable cloth masks to the seniors who receive home delivered meals from BayPath.
This collaboration netted over 150 masks for our vulnerable seniors. Each mask was thoughtfully
enclosed in a plastic Ziploc bag with a flyer from the Department of Public Health, advising people to wash them before and after each use and the proper way to wear them/remove them to avoid exposure. They came in both men's and lady's sizes.
The masks for BayPath were provided by
Marybeth Crocci
and a group of individuals who make up
MBs Mask Buddies.
The group is
working together to make cloth face masks during the COVID-19 pande
mic.
It is formed by those skilled at sewing and others who help in additional ways. The group is dedicated
to doing what they can to help those in need and build a sense of community at a time when it is so sorely needed. BayPath and our consumers greatly appreciate your support Mask Buddies! Thank you!
To date, the City of Framingham has received many donations of handmade cloth masks, and has distributed a few hundred to our seniors. Thank you, Framingham!
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A BayPath update on COVID-19
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Mass.gov
June 11, 2020
Funding to support food security across the Commonwealth
The
Baker-Polito
Administration announced that $41 million has been allocated to address urgent food insecurity for Massachusetts residents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding implements the recommendations of the Food Security Task Force, which was convened by the Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center in response to increased demands for food assistance. The goal is to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to fresh, local food.
June 9, 2020
Data collection act to minimize health disparities within the State of Massachusetts
Governor
Charlie Baker
has filed “An Act to Ensure the Collection of COVID-19 Data,” which will build on legislation recently signed by the governor to expand data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“COVID-19 has taken a tremendous toll on the residents of the Commonwealth and has disproportionately impacted certain populations including, communities of color and older residents. We have moved to file this bill quickly to ensure that entities are required to report to the Department of Public Health in a timely way, and look forward to working with the Legislature to pass these updates to help further address the health disparities affecting these communities,” said Governor Baker.
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BayPath Elder Services
BayPath Elder Services remains in close contact with the
MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs
, the
Department of Public Health
, and other state and local agencies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to follow their guidance, as well as the CDC recommended best practices. We are also in close communication with our extensive network of in-home service providers and community partners during this
crisis. While the majority of our staff are continuing to work from home, we have systems in place to continue to deliver our
services, and home delivered meals. A
s previously mentioned, BayPath will continue to update our website and social media platforms as rapidly as possible.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and always, your friends at
BayPath are here for you.
Here is a list of folks at BayPath that are always happy to talk, listen, and offer suggestions that may help:
BayPath’s Information and Referral team:
Caregiver Specialist, Donna Murray:
LGBTQ+ Initiative Coordinator, Julie Nowak:
Healthy Living Coordinator, Renee D'Argento:
Elder Community Care Triage Coordinator, Edmilse Diaz:
Keep up with proven facts regarding coronavirus
The best way to stay informed is from data produced by a credible medical agency.
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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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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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For more information about our Family Caregiver Support Program, please contact us at 508-573-7239.
Also, don't forget to check out all the information and resources available for caregivers on our national award-winning website,
CaregivingMetroWest.org
.
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www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect
CAFE CONNECT
®
is a listing of virtual Memory Cafes that you can access via computer or by phone so that during this time of social distancing, you can enjoy your favorite Memory Cafe from the comfort and safety of your own home.
For those new to the concept,
A 'Memory Cafe' is a safe and comfortable space where caregivers and their loved ones with dementia can socialize, listen to music, play games, and enjoy other appropriate activities within a group of other caregivers and patients. They provide mutual support, an exchange of information, and safely provide necessary social interaction at this time of physical distancing.
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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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