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spotlight

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is observed on or around December 21, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year. Each year hundreds of communities come together to honor those who have died while experiencing homelessness. 



The National Consumer Advisory Board, the National Coalition for the Homeless, and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council encourage our constituents to organize or take part in Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day events. At these events each year, we remember those who have died and we strengthen our resolve to work for a world where no life is lived or lost in homelessness. We state clearly, together with others in scores of communities across our nation, that no person should die for lack of housing. 

aging well & healthy living

Home Heating Safety Urged During Cold Weather by Mass. Department of Fire Services

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services is reminding residents protect themselves and their loved ones from some of the most common home heating hazards. 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms 

Every household needs working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of their home. Check the manufacturing date on the back of your alarms so you know when to replace them: smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years, and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced after 5 to 10 years depending on the model. If your alarms take alkaline batteries, put in fresh batteries twice a year when you change your clocks. If it’s time to replace your alarms, choose new ones from a well-known, national brand with the mark of an independent testing lab such as UL or Intertek/ETL. Select smoke alarms with a sealed, long-life battery and a hush feature. 

Natural Gas and Oil Heat 

If you have a furnace, water heater, or oil burner, have it professionally checked and serviced each year. This will help it run more efficiently, which will save you money and could save your life. Always keep a three-foot “circle of safety” around the appliance clear of anything that could catch fire. Never store painting supplies, aerosol cans, or other flammable items near these appliances. If you smell gas, don’t use any electrical switches or devices: get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1 right away. 

Solid Fuel Heating 

If you use a fireplace or a stove that burns wood, pellets, or coal, always keep the area around it clear for three feet in all directions. This circle of safety should be free of furniture, drapery, rugs, books and papers, fuel, and any other flammable items. To prevent sparks and embers from escaping, use a fireplace screen or keep the stove door closed while burning. Use only dry, seasoned hardwood and don’t use flammable liquids to start the fire. When disposing of ashes, wait until they are cool and shovel them into a metal bucket with a lid and place it outside at least 10 feet away from the building. 

Have your chimney and flue professionally inspected and cleaned each year. Most chimney fires are caused by burning creosote, a tarry substance that builds up as the fireplace, wood stove, or pellet stove is used. If burning creosote, sparks, embers, or hot gases escape through cracks in the flue or chimney, they can cause a fire that spreads to the rest of the structure. Annual cleaning and inspection can minimize this risk. Contact the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild or Chimney Safety Institute of America to identify reputable local companies. 

Space Heaters 

Keep space heaters at least three feet from curtains, bedding, and anything else that can burn. Plug them directly into a wall socket, not an extension cord or a power strip, and remember that they’re for temporary use. Always turn a space heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep. 

When purchasing a space heater, select one that’s been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company such as UL or Intertek/ETL. Newer space heaters should have an automatic shut-off switch that turns the device off if it tips over. Unvented kerosene space heaters and portable propane space heaters are not permitted for residential use in Massachusetts, State Fire Marshal Davine said: the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning that they pose is too great. 

Create and Practice a Home Escape Plan 

Everyone should have a home escape plan that accounts for two ways out of every room, and everyone should be able to open the doors and windows along the way. Remember that children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need extra assistance. 

More Home Heating Safety Tips 

The Department of Fire Services offers a wealth of home heating safety information, including the “Keep Warm, Keep Safe” tool kit for local fire departments, caregivers, and service providers, on the DFS web site. 

 Fall Risk Assessment Clinic

Take Care of Your Mind and Money This Holiday Season

Money stress is more common than you may think — especially during the holidays. If you’re feeling anxious about finances, you are not alone. Mental Health America and Citizens have partnered to offer tools that support both your mental wellness and your financial confidence.

Explore the new Financial Resource Center 

Explore the new Financial Resource Center, featuring the Caring for Your Mind and Money Guide, with information on:

• What money anxiety can look like
• Tips for managing money stress
• Tools for interrupting negative or spiraling thoughts
• Financial resources and support

Explore the Caring for Your Mind and Money Guid

As you navigate this holiday season, take care of both your mind and your money. These resources are here to help you feel more confident and supported.

behavioral health

Help Shape Opioid Settlement Funding Priorities: Complete this Survey

Please share this community survey with anyone who may be interested in providing input on how opioid settlement funds should be allocated.

Please fill out a survey before December 19 — your insight will be invaluable to ensure these funds are used effectively and equitably to support our communities.

If you are unable to attend the Stakeholders Meeting on December 19, we hope you will still share your input by completing the community survey.

Invitation: Regional Opioid Settlement Prioritization Session

The towns of Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Harwich, and Orleans have been gathering input through listening sessions and a community survey to help determine how Opioid Settlement funds should be allocated.

They are now inviting human services and substance use program providers—and community partners—to join us for a collaborative review and prioritization session.

Friday, December 19, 2025

9:00–11:00 AM

Zoom (registration link below)

Objective:

• Review the results from listening sessions and the community survey
• Discuss key themes and identified needs
• Participate in a structured prioritization process using the Hanlon Method to guide regional planning and next steps

Your expertise and perspective are essential as we work to ensure funds are used effectively and equitably to support our communities.

A confirmation email with Zoom details will follow upon registration.

Mental Health Education for All

Deconstructing Stigma is McLean Hospital’s global education initiative working to reduce stigma and increase understanding of mental health through storytelling and education. These sessions are part of that effort — free public classes designed to support awareness, learning, and compassion for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions.

Sign up for upcoming virtual sessions designed to support mental health awareness and provide evidence-based strategies for individuals and families.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health

Friday, December 5

Take action to support LGBTQ+ well-being.

👉 Register

Understanding and Overcoming Loneliness

Tuesday, December 9

Learn how to manage loneliness and feel more connected and supported.

👉 Register

Is It OCD or Anxiety?

Wednesday, December 17

Understand the difference between OCD and anxiety and how symptoms appear.

👉 Register

Using Ketamine to Treat Depression

Wednesday, January 7

Explore safe and effective ketamine approaches for treating depression.

👉 Register

Effectively Treating OCD in Kids and Teens

Friday, January 16

Discover treatment methods that make a real difference for youth with OCD.

👉 Register

housing & homelessness

December First-Time Home Buyer Workshops

A new series of First-Time Home Buyer Workshops is being offered in December. This comprehensive eight-hour training is designed to prepare first-time buyers for every step of the homebuying process.

Workshop Schedule

• December 2, 4, 9, and 11
• 5:30–8:00 PM
• All sessions are virtual

Participants will learn about:

• Selecting a realtor and identifying the right home
• Improving credit and securing financing
• Home inspections, insurance, and ongoing property maintenance
• Local programs and financing options for eligible buyers

The CDP’s Homebuyer Education course has earned the Seal of Approval from the Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative. Individuals who complete the course and receive a certificate may qualify for special mortgage products and additional benefits.

Local Housing Resources – Learn More About Services and Opportunities to Contribute

Homeless Prevention Council

The Homeless Prevention Council (HPC) provides individualized case management, housing support, and resources to help Cape Cod residents remain safely housed and move toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Housing Assistance Corporation

Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) offers shelter services, rental and mortgage assistance, financial coaching, and housing programs that support individuals and families across Cape Cod in securing and maintaining stable housing.

SHINE

Did You Miss Open Enrollment?

You may still be eligible to sign up for Medicare or make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare PPO Blue Saver Rx Plan Non-Renewal:

Plan Termination Special Enrollment Period (SEP) until 2/28/26

scams & fraud

Multi-factor Authentication | What is it? 

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is the process of verifying that you are who you claim to be when logging in to a device or an account. If you're reading this from your work computer, you probably logged in to your computer - that's single-factor authentication.

AARP Survey Studies Fraud Risk During the Holiday Season

AARP Research released results of a “2025 Holiday Shopping and Scams Survey,” which finds nearly nine in ten (89%) U.S. adults age 18-plus have been targeted by or experienced at least one form of fraud. 

In 2025, over half (58%) report receiving a fraudulent text message about an unpaid toll in the past year, and 55% say they received a notification about a shipment issue that turned out to be fraudulent. Nearly two in five (39%) experienced fraud when buying a product through an online ad, and 35% report receiving a request for a monetary donation to a charity that felt fraudulent. Fraud is widespread across all age groups, with nine in ten adults age 18-44 and more than three-quarters of those 45+ reporting at least one experience (92% age 18-34, 90% age 35-44, 86% age 45-64, and 86% age 65+). 

The survey also found that more than 7 in 10 U.S. consumers age 18-plus failed a 10-question safe shopping quiz, indicating they may be susceptible to scammers tactics. 

Many plan on shopping online this holiday season, with almost one-quarter (23%) intending to increase their online shopping from last year. Hispanic consumers are especially likely to boost their online shopping (31%), followed by 28% of Asian American/Pacific Islander consumers. 

More data from this survey, including infographics and other findings are available here. 

Caring for the Caregiver Webinar Series – Scam Awareness, Dec. 9

The Executive Office of Aging & Independence is excited to team up with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to bring you another session of the Caring for the Caregiver webinar series taking place on Tuesday, December 9th from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. 

Older adults and caregivers are increasingly targeted by sophisticated scams, by mail, phone, internet, and even through emerging tactics like cryptocurrency fraud. In this session, experts from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO), including representatives from the Community Engagement Division, Elder Justice Unit, and the Insurance & Financial Services Division, will break down the most common forms of identity theft and financial scams, red flags to watch for, and practical steps to prevent, detect, and respond. 



The presentation will also cover key Massachusetts resources, including how to report suspected fraud or financial exploitation to the AGO, when to contact local police or Protective Services, and what immediate steps caregivers and their loved ones can take to secure accounts, freeze credit, and seek assistance. 

Designed for caregivers and the individuals they support, this session provides clear guidance, real-world examples, and actionable tools to stay safe in an evolving scam landscape. 

Registration is available here. 

upcoming community events

Help Shape the Future of Public Transportation on Cape Cod

The Cape Cod Commission, in partnership with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA), is conducting a two-year Transit Needs Assessment to evaluate how public transportation is meeting the needs of the region. Whether someone is a year-round resident, commuter, or seasonal visitor, everyone’s input is important in helping create a more accessible and connected transit system. During the first year of the project, we focused on public engagement, building partnerships with key stakeholders, and reviewing existing conditions along with previous studies and projects. This foundation will guide the second year of the assessment, culminating in a final report with recommendations and feedback to support CCRTA in updating its Regional Transit Plan. See attached flyer or visit our media  Outreach Kit to help spread the word using our social media graphics and templates! 

As part of this initiative, the Commission has developed two key tools to help gather community input and share information: 

• Online Survey: Share your firsthand experiences and ideas for improving our regional transit system. Survey is open through the end of the 2025 year. 
• Online Transit Viewer: An interactive, map-based tool that provides a visual overview of current bus routes, ridership patterns, and transit conditions. Comments are being taken through the end of the 2025 year. 

If you or your organization is interested in being part of a broader discussion about multi-modal transit planning, we’d love to connect, email Joyia.smikle@capecodcommission to inquire. 

Thanks for helping spread the word! 

Cape Cod Toy Library Grand Opening Weekend

Save the Date for Healthy Aging Cape Cod's Age Tech Exploratory

Registration Now Open for 2025 Human Rights Day and 20th Anniversary Celebration

Help us make this anniversary celebration special & register today using the link below or by scanning the QR code! Registration link: https://loom.ly/FN-7kec

food and community resources

Winter Holiday Grab & Go for Seniors

Service Directory Opportunity

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ Network of Care SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.

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