spotlight

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

September is National Suicide Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It’s also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.

During September, and throughout the year, we can care about suicide prevention; connect to community, culture, data, and research; and collaborate with others to address this public health problem that has impacted millions of Americans.

Educate yourself and others about suicide prevention: Learn the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, how to support someone considering suicide, and familiarize yourself with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): Each year, the SPRC creates a resource full of ways to get involved in Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Here is the resource for 2024!

Read and share the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan.

Visit the Suicide and Suicidal Behavior webpage to learn about SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention initiatives.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE CAPE & ISLANDS SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION'S RECOGNITION OF WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY

Join us as we read our Suicide Prevention Proclamation and hang ribbons of remembrance for those who have died by suicide and support the many survivors of suicide loss for National Suicide Prevention Month.

Date/Time: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | 12:30PM – 2:00PM

Location: Cape Cod Community College

General Membership Meeting & Lunch: 12:30pm – 1:15pm, Library Board Room

Proclamation Reading & Ribbon Ceremony: 1:30pm – 2:00pm, Inner Courtyard, Library Steps

aging well & healthy living

YOUR LIFE YOUR LEGACY

Join Ronald Eaton, Director of Advanced Planning, and Joseph Medeiros, Advanced Planning Manager, both of Nickerson and Doane, Beal, and Ames Funeral Homes, for this talk on the importance of pre-planning final arrangements for oneself or other family members. Creating a plan ensures that during an already difficult time, family can focus on support and healing and not having to come up with a plan and the transactional business it involves. Emphasis will be on securing, documenting, and sharing the plan.

Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Location: Brewster Council on Aging, 1673 Main Street, Brewster

Don't miss this opportunity! Space is limited. Call the Brewster Council on Aging at (508) 896-2737.

CARFIT: PERSONALIZE YOUR CAR TO FIT YOU

CarFit is a free, interactive and educational program designed to improve older driver safety. Trained volunteers facilitate a 12-point checklist and provide information geared toward increasing awareness around adaptive devices and resources that ensure the safety "fit" for older drivers and their vehicle.

Where: Brewster Baptist Church/Brewster Ladies Parking Lots | Enter at Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main Street

When: Monday, September 30th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Contact: Brewster Council on Aging | Phone: (508) 896-2737

HEALTHY EATING COURSE FOR OLDER ADULTS STARTS IN OCTOBER

Healthy Eating For Successful Living is a proven way to make lifestyle changes that will improve your health!

The popular, interactive “Healthy Eating for Successful Living” course is coming to Harwich this fall.

Taught by registered dietitians from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands and the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, Healthy Eating for Successful Living has changed lives with its focus on strategies to improve wellness and prevent chronic disease development or progression. Participants in this course not only eat better, but they also feel better too!

Offered at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street, this free hands-on educational series will meet for six weeks on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM beginning October 2, 2024. Enrollment in this course is open to residents of any Cape Cod town age 60 or better.

In this course, participants will:

• Build new behaviors week by week
• Find motivation by sharing challenges and victories among peers
• Receive trusted answers to nutrition questions from two registered dietitians
• Achieve eating and exercise goals
• Receive a free 100-page manual

Space is limited! Pre-register by calling Kelly Rooney at (508) 258-2294.

CHAIR YOGA

Looking to stretch, strengthen, and restore balance in your body? Join Marty Zurn, Kripalu RYT 500 for a 6-week chair yoga series (between September 5th and October 10th), Thursdays, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM!

Chair Yoga is an adaptive yoga practice that allows you to stay seated while practicing yoga focused poses. It can be practiced by anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of yoga and may (or may not) have mobility limitations. Chair yoga is an accessible, inclusive way for yogis to experience the benefits of yoga, without stressing joints, worrying about balance, or supporting body weight.

The cost is $50 for the series. Advanced registration is required. For more information and to sign up, please call Marty at (508) 326-4224 or martyzurn@comcast.net.

ACL'S KARI BENSON TO SPEAK AT NATIONAL HEALTHY AGING SYMPOSIUM

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Trust for America’s Health are hosting the 2024 National Healthy Aging Symposium: Innovation Across the Age-Friendly Ecosystem. Administration for Community Living's (ACL) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging Kari Benson joins leaders from across government and the private sector for the conversation.

This symposium will connect federal, state, and local public health and aging leaders — as well as other stakeholders — to the latest science, best practices, and innovative interventions to improve the lives of older Americans. Once registered, you can view the full agenda, speaker information, and more.

This free symposium will take place virtually on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! HELP US REIMAGINE AGING

In collaboration with community partners, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs is in the process of collecting community feedback. We want to capture your ideas on how to strengthen Massachusetts’ age- and dementia-friendly actions and uncover new opportunities to meet the challenges of the future.

Your feedback will be used to update and refresh the Age-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan. The Plan will serve as the state’s strategy and commitment to make the Commonwealth more age- and dementia-friendly over the next 5-10 years (explore the previous plan here).

Feedback will be collected through the September 30, 2024. Please share this with your networks. Click the button below to share your feedback today!

behavioral health

BACK TO SCHOOL: MENTAL HEALTH TIPS AND RESOURCE TO HELP YOU THRIVE IN – AND OUT OF – THE CLASSROOM

As the dog days of summer draw to a sweltering close, many families across the nation are gathering books, binders, and other school supplies in preparation for a return to the classroom. And while the back-to-school season can be an exciting time, it can also be stressful – and even scary – for some young people. That is why it is critical to include mental health and wellness tools and resources on the back-to-school checklist to help prepare your children for the stressors and challenges they may face in the school year ahead. SAMHSA is here to help.

FREE TEEN WELLNESS GROUP: HEALING JUSTICE

Healing Justice is a safe space for teenagers ages 13–17 to come together, connect, and support each other. In this group, we focus on healing trauma, moving, breathing, and developing life skills to help you become healthier and more engaged in both school and your community.

• Snacks and mats provided once a week, every Wednesday, starting October 2, 2024 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
• Registration is required – call us at (508) 815-5100.
• Location: Cape Cod FRC at 29 Bassett Lane, Hyannis

FREE FAMILY WELLNESS GROUP

Join us for a FREE Weekly Family Movement and Wellness Group. Kids ages 4 to 12 years and their parents are welcome.

This program takes place Wednesdays from 5 PM – 6 PM. Pre-registration is required! Please call: (508) 815-5100.

Location: 29 Bassett Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601

SHINE

HEALTHCARE.GOV OFFERS LOW-COST, QUALITY HEALTH COVERAGE TO PEOPL LOSING MEDICAID OR CHIP

Medicaid serves as a crucial lifeline, providing health coverage for millions of individuals, including children, parents, seniors, and those with disabilities. States check every year to see if people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) still qualify for coverage. If someone is no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, they will need to find another option for health insurance coverage, like the Health Insurance Marketplace through HealthCare.gov. HealthCare.gov encourages individuals and families to take steps to ensure you don’t risk a gap in health coverage.

scams & fraud

POLICE WARN RESIDENTS OF CONTRACTING SCAM IN MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts homeowners are being warned about a criminal organization accused of operating a sophisticated contracting scam. The scheme involves fake websites, fake reviews, and fake companies.

Please alert older adults in your area to help prevent future scams.

upcoming community events

STAND DOWN FOR VETERANS

Join the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center for the 3rd Annual Stand Down for Veterans Cape Cod on September 27 from 9am–3pm. This event is free for all veterans. Pre-registration is required. Check-in starts at 9am with an opening ceremony at 10am. There will be free lunch at 11:45am and Table Talk Pies (while they last!), along with an All-Day Rendezvous Cafe Corner with Coffee, Specialty Teas, and Light Bites. In addition to connecting with various local, state, and federal veteran organizations, veterans can access:

• The Supply Depot – Giveaways of Essentials for Veterans (Toiletries, Personal Hygiene Items, and New/Gently Used Clothing)
• Barnstable County Health Department – Flu Shots, Bone Density Scans, Cardio Checks
• Frankie's Barbershop, Hairworxs, and Supercuts – Free Haircuts
• Alzheimer's & Dementia Caregiver Support
• Wellness Programs
• Mental Health / Suicide Prevention
• Financial / Banking Advisors
• SWAT Mobile
• Cape Cod Healthcare Blood Mobile / Blood Drive
• Free Massages with Helene Illston, LMT
• Free Reiki with Celeste Howe
• Housing Solutions
• Local Vendors Advertising Open Positions
• Jobs for Veterans State Grant Program – Meet with James Gouzias to Review and Discuss Employment Needs

If you are not registered and checked in by 9:55am, you will be asked to wait outside the main event room. If you are unable to register online, please call (508) 237-3349.

AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION'S OPTIMISM WALK

Join the Movement: APDA’s Optimism Walk Comes to Falmouth, MA to Make Strides Against Parkinson’s

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Massachusetts Chapter is hosting its annual Optimism Walk event on Cape Cod in Falmouth, as part of a nationwide initiative to raise awareness and vital funds for the Parkinson’s disease. 

The local walk is set to take place on Sunday, September 22nd at Falmouth High School (874 Gifford Street, Falmouth, MA), and promises to be an inspiring day of community, support, and optimism4. Registration is open now.

home & homelessness

BARNSTABLE COUNTY HOME PROGRAM CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2023

The Barnstable County HOME Consortium has completed its Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Program Year 2023 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024). The HOME Consortium was awarded $500,251.00 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out the goals and objectives set forth in the HOME Program’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2023 Annual Action Plan. The CAPER is a year-end report that outlines the accomplishments and challenges of the Barnstable County HOME Program.

A virtual public meeting on the draft 2023 CAPER will be held on September 16, 2024, at 3:00 PM to obtain comments and views from citizens, public agencies, community organizations, and interested parties. The draft 2023 CAPER along with links to the joint the virtual public meeting and additional information is available on the HOME Program website.

Comments on the draft 2023 CAPER may be sent to the Barnstable County Department of Human Services, HOME Program, P.O. Box 427, Barnstable, MA 02630 or by email to: homeprogram@capecod.gov. Comments will be accepted through September 25, 2024 and will be summarized in the final CAPER submitted to HUD.

food & community resources

BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL CAPE COD

Nutrition educators have assisted in coordination of Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod with the mission of connecting people and businesses on the Cape with locally grown farm and sea products. Through Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod, resources are created to assist individuals and families in purchasing, cooking, and storing fresh foods.

CAPE COD FOOD ACCESS GUIDE SUMMER 2024

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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