October 2020 Newsletter | THE BAYPATH BULLETIN |
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COVID-19 OPERATIONAL UPDATE |
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BayPath is actively taking new referrals and communicating consistently with our existing consumers.
Our main number is 508-573-7200. You may also call our staff directly using their individual phone numbers.
Our care managers are executing regular tele-checks and making home visits as necessary to monitor our consumer's 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 a Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday schedule providing several meals for the days in between deliveries.
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HELP US PROVIDE FUTURE SUPPORT |
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BAYPATH IS THE LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING (AAA) FOR METROWEST.
The results of this survey will aid our organization’s planning and advocacy efforts for the future. We need to hear directly from older adults who live in the communities that we serve.
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The Area Agency on Aging serves as the public advocate for developing and enhancing comprehensive and coordinated community-based systems of services in each community for its planning and service area. These systems assist older persons in leading independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
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LGBTQ+ INITITATIVE - ANNUAL GALA |
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SHARING PRIDE WITH EVERY GENERATION
Join Framingham State University and BayPath Elder Services for our annual Pride Across Generations event, bringing together the LGBTQ+ community from all living generations.
- Virtual Event! THIS THURSDAY!
- Thursday, October 29, 2020 AT 5:30-7 p.m.
This year’s event is virtual and will highlight the ongoing movement for LGBTQ+ rights and the intersectionality with Blacks Lives Matter and other social justice movements. The program will feature special guests:
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Paul Glass and Charles Evans, Stonewall veterans and Founding Members of the LGBT Elders of Color
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Harold Steward and other artists from The Theatre Offensive
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Dale Mitchell, Stonewall veteran and Founder of the LGBT Aging Project
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Gary Daffin, Executive Director of the Multicultural AIDS Coalition
For more information, contact:
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THE RESTRICTIONS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE ALTERED OUR ROUTINES
As such, your need for assistance and support has likely changed as well. You do not need to find solutions on your own. BayPath's Options Counselors can meet virtually or talk with you over the phone to provide your options regarding:
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Benefits Programs
Meal prep / Homemaking
Housing
Health Insurance
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Transportation
Personal Care
Companionship
Social Supports
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If you are over the age of 60, an adult of any age living with a disability, or a family member or caregiver of someone who is, our Options Counselor's will:
- Talk with you about your personal goals, values, and needs
- Educate you about community resources available to you to empower you to make informed choices about which best meet your needs
- Assist with next steps towards your goals, follow up on your progress, and address obstacles you may be facing
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Susan Cote, MS, CAGS, LMHC
Options Counselor
SHINE Certified
(508) 573-7247
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Kelly Binette, BSW
Options Counselor
SHINE Certified
(508) 573-7231
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IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME |
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BAYPATH OFFERS ADULT FAMILY CARE IN 20 TOWNS
To Make a Referral to the AFC Program:
- Contact BayPath Elder Services at 508-573-7200
- Ask to speak with an Information & Referral Specialist regarding AFC
- I&R will review the eligibility and enrollment process with you.
- The next step is the screening process by telephone with the AFC team
- This is followed by a BayPath Case Manager and Nurse, making an in-person visit to further discuss all the program requirements.
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MASS.GOV: COVID-19 INFORMATION |
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September/October 2020
Baker-Polito Announce Continued Efforts to Support Older Adults through ‘Accountability and Supports Package’
Over 55,500 older adults live in 700 nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living residences (ALRs) in Massachusetts. The Accountability and Support Package is part of the Commonwealth's dedication to improving the overall welfare of our older community members. Components of the package include:
Improving standards of care:
- Facilities will be required to meet minimum Hours Per Patient Day (HPPD) staffing levels
- Facilities will be required to invest at least 75% of their revenues towards direct care staff costs
Adequate spacing in congregate rooms:
- Ensure each room maintains social distance protocol
- The elimination of 3 and 4 bedrooms
- Improve infection control standards
Long-term, $82 million investment through MassHealth rate restructuring:
- To promote a high-quality, sustainable nursing facility industry
- Increased emphasis on high-acuity special populations
Up to $60 million in targeted COVID-19 funding:
- To be dispersed if statewide infections rise, resulting in industry staffing shortages
- To support continued surveillance testing
- For COVID-19 isolation spaces in facilities that meet more stringent criteria
Long-Term Care Surveillance Testing:
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Regular infection control surveys using the new CMS survey tool will continue
- Increased monitoring of facilities with identified deficiencies will be added
- Monitor management performance, including hours per patient day (HPPD)
- Review compliance with state surveillance testing and CMS recertification surveys
- Mandate that all staff are to be tested at least once each month
Early Identification of Issues:
- Rapid response staffing teams, corrective measures, and enforcement actions.
- Failure to comply will result in financial penalties, termination from the MassHealth program, or DPH actions such as an admissions freeze.
Strengthened flu vaccine requirements for long-term care staff:
- Includes staff of nursing homes, rest homes, ALRs, adult day health programs, and dialysis units
- To protect long-term care residents and other vulnerable
- To preserve health care resources needed to respond to the COVID-19 emergency throughout the fall and winter
“The Nursing Facility Accountability and Supports Package 2.0 continues our financial support and oversight initiated in the spring, and marks the first step in addressing the policy recommendations of the Nursing Facility Taskforce to protect resident safety, ensure access to high quality facilities, right-size the industry, and hold facilities to higher standards for both patient care and investment in the direct care workforce,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services and Head of the COVID-19 Command Center Marylou Sudders. “These reforms and investments will improve the quality of care and safety of residents in anticipation of a potential COVID-19 resurgence in the fall, and for the health of residents in the future.”
Editor's note: The above information comprises excerpts from two Mass.gov, Baker-Polito Administration press releases. To read the Releases in their entirety:
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FRANK AND MARY IN NORTHBOROUGH |
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BAYPATH'S DOUGLAS FLYNN AND JULIE NOWAK FEATURE IN THE SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 EPISODE
Host Arthur Bergeron, Of Counsel at Mirick O'Connell, and co-host Liz Tretiak, Senior Center Director for the Town of Northborough, graciously invited BayPath to join them to share about the broad array of support that BayPath is offering online during COVID-19.
BayPath's Community Programs Manager, Douglas Flynn, discussed our Healthy Living Program, which offers workshops developed through the Healthy Living Center of Excellence that support older adults and their caregivers to live healthier lives. Doug noted that the programs are being provided via Zoom as well as by teleconference.
Our LGBTQ+ Initiative Coordinator, Julie Nowak, spoke of the myriad of virtual programs offered to those among the rainbow community and those who love them.
We want to extend our thanks to Arthur for having us on the Frank and Mary show our appreciation to Liz and her team for the support they have provided on behalf of the Northborough Senior Center to get the word out to residents about these outstanding programs. To learn more about them, click the links to our website, below.
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Look for another installment of the Frank and Mary show featuring our Executive Director, Joe Quirk, in the next edition of the BayPath Bulletin. |
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HEALTHY LIVING - ONLINE WORKSHOPS |
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DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
Learn to take control of your diabetes from the comfort of your own home.
Come join those with similar concerns about physical and emotional health. Skills learned will help you better manage diabetes symptoms; and be more physically and socially active!
Living with fatigue, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, frustration, and stress? Do you have another long-term health condition you are having to manage? This workshop can help you manage your symptoms and be more physically and socially active.
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SAVVY CAREGIVER WORKSHOP
If you are a caregiver of a family member, friend, or companion with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, this program can help. Caregivers increase understanding of stages/progression of dementia, learn how to better manage daily challenges of caregiving, self-care, and how to foster their loved one’s engagement in activities based on their abilities as the disease progresses.
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DETAILS ON BOTH PROGRAMS
Each program is a FREE 6-week series, plus an intro session.
All workshop materials are provided.
Class meets remotely once a week via on-line videoconference on Zoom.
Start date to be determined when the minimum number of participants reached.
For more information and to sign-up, contact:
Renee D’Argento, Healthy Living Program Coordinator
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These Healthy Living programs are made possible in part by the Administration on Community Living and Mass Executive Office of Elder Affairs as granted by BayPath Elder Services and HESSCO. If you would like to make a voluntary donation to support the availability of healthy living programs,
please mail a check to:
The Healthy Living Program, BayPath Elder Services, 33 Boston Post Rd. West, Marlborough, MA 01752.
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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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Are you a Family Caregiver?
Before you can get the help and support you need, you need to understand the role you've taken on.
Caregiving MetroWest, a BayPath program, offers resources and support to our communities' family caregivers.
Or review all of the offerings for family caregivers on our caregiving website:
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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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SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER |
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BayPath Elder Services, Inc. is a member of the MetroWest ADRC,
a partnership with HESSCO and the MetroWest Center for Independent Living.
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