MARCH 2021 NEWSLETTER | THE BAYPATH BULLETIN |
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MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRION MONTH |
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National Nutrition Month #NationalNutritionMonth
National Nutrition Month was initiated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and is celebrated in March to share important nutrition information with the public. This year’s theme is “Personalize Your Plate!” This means there is no "one size fits all” approach to nutrition. We all have different food preferences and different dietary needs, especially as we age. But it is still important to learn about basic nutrition so that we can pick the foods we enjoy but ensure that they also keep us healthy!
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Q&A with BayPath's Dietician/Nutritionist |
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Another function of National Nutrition Month is to promote the value that a Registered Nutritionist/Dietitian can provide to your health regimen. To honor this, we sat down with BayPath’s Dietitian/Nutritionist Traci Robidoux, RD, LDN to learn more about her role at BayPath.
How long have you been a registered dietitian? I have been a registered dietitian for 19 years. Before BayPath, I served as a clinical dietitian in New York and Massachusetts hospitals, where I managed four dietitians and a nutrition supervisor for acute care patients.
What is your main focus as a Nutritionist/Dietician at BayPath? My current role involves four main areas: menu planning for MOW [Meals on Wheels], kitchen inspections, nutrition education in the community, and processing the nutrition assessments of older adults.
What led you to focus on Elder Nutrition? After 10+ years of working in acute care, I was ready for a new challenge, and though I worked with patients of every age, it was working with the older adults that I enjoyed the most.
What is the most rewarding part of helping older adults? I would have to say the most rewarding part is that the folks I interact with are genuinely grateful for the help I have to offer them. It is rewarding to feel like I am making an impact on their lives. A bonus is that they have a treasure trove of stories to tell – I love listening to their perspective on life and being on the receiving end of the wealth of knowledge they share.
Are there any quick tips you can provide on how to eat healthier? It is important to remember that a healthful eating style can be as unique as you are!
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BayPath Elder Services announces the availability of Older Americans Act funds for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2022.
- Title III-B Supportive Services
- Title III-D Healthy Living Evidence-Based Programs
- Title III-E Support Services for Family Caregivers
All proposed programs must address those service categories mandated by the Older Americans Act that target minority and lower-income older adults (considered at age 60+). Program funding is for a one-year grant cycle, beginning October 1, 2021, and ending September 30, 2022.
The Area Agency on Aging is currently requesting Letters of Interest (LOI) from organizations wishing to apply for funds to support individuals 60+ within our service region. This year, the Letter of Intent is a mandatory requirement.
LOI's should be less than 500 words and include:
- A brief program description
- Budget estimates
- The estimated number of older adults or caregivers to be served
- Estimated service units
- The community (communities) that will be served.
Key Dates:
- Deadline for a Letter of Interest is 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
- A technical assistance session is on May 12, 2021.
- Deadline for completed grant applications: 5 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2021.
Documents for download:
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Click here to download the complete FFY22 Grant Availability Guidelines.
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Click here to download the guidelines for the Letter of Interest.
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Click here to download the Legal Notice.
Questions regarding the Letter of Interest, Grant Procedure Manual, attendance at the technical assistance session, or other information, contact Fran Bakstran at 508-573-7346 | fbakstran@baypath.org.
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MASS.GOV COVID-19 UPDATES |
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Since information on the coronavirus gets updated frequently, we recommend that you stay up-to-date on local COVID-19 news at mass.gov.
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You can now preregister for a vaccine appointment |
On Friday, March 12, 2021, the Commonwealth launched a preregistration system that enables eligible individuals to request and schedule an appointment at one of the seven mass vaccination locations. Once you sign up for preregistration, you’ll receive weekly status updates, and if, in the meantime, you get an earlier appointment elsewhere - you can remove your name from this waiting list. |
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Trust the Facts. Get the Vax. |
The Mass.gov "Trust the Facts. Get the Vax." campaign provides residents with easy-to-read information about the safety of the vaccine, how it was developed, and how it works.
A key point to understand is that even though the COVID-19 vaccine was developed quickly, the same safety steps were followed for this vaccine used for all vaccines.
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COMMON COVID VACCINE QUESTIONS |
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What if I take medication every day? Do I have to stop? Can I still get the vaccine?
It is essential to speak directly with your primary care physician or specialist to get the facts regarding the coronavirus vaccine and its possible effects on you. The information below is from a recent AARP article, where they asked medical experts to discuss what reactions, if any, will the COVID vaccines have on your daily medication.
Common Prescription Medication
The consensus is that maintenance medications for such conditions as diabetes or high blood pressure have not shown evidence of being adversely impacted. The reason is, the COVID vaccines go into your immune system, while maintenance medications do not.
Immunosuppressants
Those on an immunosuppressant may have a decrease in the drug's efficiency around the time of being vaccinated for the coronavirus, but not significant enough to avoid getting vaccinated.
Blood Thinners
People on blood thinners should notify the vaccine administrator of that fact due to the risk of bleeding at the vaccination site.
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CDC: LIFE AFTER YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), discuss what you should and should not do after you’ve been fully vaccinated.
First it is important to understand what "fully vaccinated" means. People are considered fully vaccinated:
- 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
- 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
If it has been less than 2 weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second dose, you are NOT fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps until you are fully vaccinated.
What can you now do if you have been fully vaccinated:
You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
- You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household
- If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
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What safety precautions should I still follow?
- In public, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask and staying at least 6 feet apart from others
- You should still avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
- You should still delay domestic and international travel.
- You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19
- You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.
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WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS & CLASSES |
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10 WARNING SIGNS - EARLY DETECTION MATTERS
DATE: March 22, 2021
TIME: 10-11 a.m.
DESCRIPTION: 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.
DELIVERY METHOD: Webinar
COVID AND CAREGIVING
DATE: March 24, 2021
TIME: 4-4:45 p.m.
DESCRIPTION: The COVID-19 pandemic creates special challenges for people caring for a loved one with dementia at home. Your typical routine is disrupted and programs and services may be inaccessible. You may have difficulty keeping your loved one engaged in meaningful activities, and stress may be high for everyone at home. In this program, you will learn tips for structuring the day, choosing activities, and dealing with difficult behaviors from experts at the MA/NH Alzheimer’s Association.
DELIVERY METHOD: Webinar
UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA
DATE: March 25, 2021
TIME: 4-5 p.m.
DESCRIPTION: Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer's; the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia; stages and risk factors; current research and treatments available for some symptoms; and Alzheimer's Association resources. This program sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield, an Alzheimer's Association Dementia Care partner.
DELIVERY METHOD: Webinar
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BAYPATH REMAINS FULLY OPERATIONAL |
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BayPath is actively taking new referrals and communicating consistently with our existing consumers.
Our care managers are executing regular tele-checks and making home visits as necessary to monitor our consumers' well-being.
Our Senior Management team remains in close communication with our extensive network of in-home service providers to facilitate our home care recipients' support services.
Meals on Wheels delivery is running on the following schedule:
- Framingham, Natick, Westborough, Southborough, and Sudbury: Mon - Fri
- Ashland, Hudson, Marlborough: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
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BayPath Elder Services, Inc. |
BayPath is a designated Massachusetts Area Agency on Aging and one of 26 Massachusetts Aging Services Access Points.
BayPath is dedicated to being a trusted partner, providing an array of services and programs to older adults and individuals of any age with disabilities who require support to maintain their independence.
BayPath's Information and Referral team is happy to answer your questions and direct you to the proper support. 508-573-7200
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Caregiving MetroWest, a BayPath program, offers resources and information to our communities' family caregivers. Review all of the offerings for family caregivers on our caregiving website: CareGivingMetroWest.org
BayPath also provides direct support for family caregivers through our Family Caregiver Support Program. Contact our Caregiving Specialist, Donna Murray, at 508-573-7239 or dmurray@baypath.org
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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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