BROCKTON, PLYMOUTH AND RAYNHAM, MA… Richard J. (Rick) Alvarnaz recently received the 2024 IMPACT Award. Previously from Raynham, and now a Brockton resident, Alvarnaz has been a staff member of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) for 25 years.
The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) Area Agency on Aging presented the 2024 Dan Crane IMPACT Award to Rick Alvarnaz, OCES’ Community Transition Liaison, in a ceremony held on December 4, 2024. The award recognizes an individual who has had a positive impact on the lives of people in our communities.
In 1999, Alvarnaz joined OCES, the leading provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, as a Care Manager in the Home Care Department. He later became a program supervisor. Although Alvarnaz enjoyed being a part of program management, he realized that he wanted to serve consumers directly. In 2015, Alvarnaz began working in OCES’ Transitions Program where he had an opportunity to assist consumers in long-term care move back into the community. Alvarnaz accepted this challenging task with limited resources available to meet consumers’ significant needs.
In 2023, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs extended the Transitions Program with a new state program called the Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), and Alvarnaz joined.
OCPC’s Ombudsman program collaborates regularly with Alvarnaz and CTLP, as they are on-site weekly serving residents in local nursing facilities. Alvarnaz’s dedication to the residents he serves is apparent when you see a resident’s excitement about returning to live in the community. Often, a resident’s return home is only possible because of Alvarnaz’s tireless efforts.
“Rick has made a huge positive impact on many lives during his 25 years of service at OCES,” said Nicole Long, CEO. “He is tremendously dedicated to helping residents and this award is well-deserved. Congratulations, Rick!”
CTLP supports individuals whose goal is to return to their home from a hospital or nursing facility. To learn more about CTLP, visit https://ocesma.org/programs-services/services-at-home.
For more information about Old Colony Planning Council Area Agency on Aging, visit https://oldcolonyplanning.org/aaa/
About OCES
OCES was recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). OCES is a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities.
Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org.