Thirteen community agencies serving older adults on the Cape and Islands have received $130,000 in funding from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands.
The funds are from Title III B and D Community Federal Grants awared to Elder Services. Funding decisions are made by an advisory committee based on input received during public hearings and through a tri-annual community needs assessment conducted by Elder Services.
“While transportation remains a critical need in our area, particularly on the Outer and Lower Cape, testimony at the public hearings pointed to emerging needs in the areas of caregiver respite and technology assistance and education,” said Jim Worthington, chair of the Title III Advisory Board.
Community Services Officer Sarah Franey noted that the board’s funding decisions responded to current trends by assessing the programs’ potential geographical scope and greatest number of individuals to be served.
Palliative and Support Care of Nantucket is using its Title III funding to support a part-time counselor who provides one-on-one support for family caregivers, leads both the Caregiver Support and Bereavement Groups, and makes outreach presentations in the community.
“These funds enable us to really ramp up our presence in the community and reach more people in need of these services,” said Betsey Minihan, Palliative Care Office Supervisor at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
The FY2024 grantees are:
- MV Center for Living. This full Island, shopping shuttle service will help older and disabled adults maintain independence by providing an accessible and convenient way to do their own grocery shopping and errands on a weekly basis.
- Brewster Council on Aging. This program provides seniors with transportation to medical appointments and stipends to volunteer drivers to cover travel expenses.
- Truro Council on Aging. This program provides senior residents of Truro transportation to and from medical appointments.
- Helping Our Women. This program provides critically ill women, in the Outer Cape area, transportation to and from medical appointments.
- Samaritans on Cape Cod & the Islands. The Senior Outreach program is three-pronged: (1) a public relations campaign to ensure that older adults understand that the Samaritans’ crisis lines are for people who are lonely, in crisis or even suicidal; (2)a referral program for outgoing calls to those identified by Councils on Aging, assisted living facilities, physicians’ offices, or through self-referral, and (3) an Elder Suicide Prevention Training for Cape and Islands Communities that provides tools to help community members reduce the risk of elder suicide.
- Palliative and Support Care of Nantucket. Provides individualized assessment, education, counseling, and referral services for Nantucket caregivers. This can be provided in home or another setting. Also offering caregiver support groups and De-Stressing to Cope Program.
- Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Provides caregiver homemaking services and equipment to Wampanoag Tribal Elders within Barnstable County.
- Sight Loss Services. The program will provide any elder in need with assisted transportation to eye care procedures which require a responsible party to assist them, such as cataract surgery. This program would also provide visually impaired elders assisted transportation to simple medical procedures such as lab draws. Other services include Peer Support, an Information & Referral network, an Adaptive Aid Resource Room, Outreach & Home Independence, Education & Awareness, Support Groups and Social Enrichment Activities.
- Orleans Council on Aging. The “Sip and Swipe Café” provides 1:1 technology instruction to older adults (education and assistance regarding the use of smartphones, tablets, computers etc. and changing technology practices like understanding and using QR codes, ordering an Uber, accessing a health portal online) all while enjoying coffee and socialization.
- Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. Provides in-home/community short-term assessment, intervention, and referral for mental health and substance abuse issues for elders 60 and over.
- Chatham Council on Aging. Meeting multiple times per month, this program provides resources and support for older adult LGBTQ+ individuals Cape-wide, including bereavement services, enrichment opportunities, specialized legal support, educational experiences, and social activities.
- South Coastal Counties Legal Services. The “Elder Law Project” provides free, civil legal services to income eligible seniors on the Cape and Islands through direct services, referral, and community outreach and education.
Alzheimer’s Family Support Center. Provides free supportive counseling services to caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related illnesses, utilizing state of the art teleconferencing technology to connect on–Cape caregivers, counselors, and long-distance family members. The program now includes a centrally located “drop-off program” for caregiver respite.
Founded in 1972, Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Inc. is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to promoting the welfare, enhancing the quality of life, and maintaining the dignity of adults as they age in its three-county service area. The organization works through communities and their residents to identify and respond to the needs, problems and concerns of elders and their families. Learn more at www.escci.org
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