Advocating to end malnutrition

Malnutrition Awareness Week is an annual, multi-organizational campaign created by ASPEN (American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) dedicated to improving patient care by advancing the science and practice of clinical nutrition and metabolism. Founded in 1976, ASPEN is a community of dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, scientists, students, and other health professionals from nutrition related clinical practice, research, and education.

The primary goals of Malnutrition Awareness week is to:

BayPath's Dietitian/Nutritionist Traci Robidoux, RD, LDN reached out to all BayPath staff members to urge them to ask their consumers about their nutrition and encouraged anyone doing home visits to look for signs of unplanned weight loss, loss of appetite, or diminished food intake, which are three of the most significant warning signs when it comes to malnutrition.   

Risk factors for developing malnutrition:

During the week of September 28, the nutrition team participated in a statewide initiative from the Massachusetts Commission on Malnutrition Prevention Among Older Adults to gather more information about the malnutrition risk of community-dwelling seniors. The data collected will help support the Massachusetts Commission on Malnutrition Prevention Among Older Adults, which was signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker in 2016 .  

l to r: Tom Hansen of of Hansen Farms, Lynn Tedesco, Hudson MOW Site Manager, and Elyse Venne, also from Hansen Farms

Fresh produce ready for Meals on Wheels delivery to homebound consumers

World Suicide Prevention Day , promoted by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), took place on September 10. The goal of the IASP is to raise awareness of this plight by focusing on the fact that every life lost represents someone's partner, child, parent, friend, or colleague. Our nation's seniors are at risk . The  U.S. Census Bureau has reported: "of the more than 47,000 suicides that took place in 2017, those 65 and up accounted for more than 8,500 of them. Men who are 65 and older face the highest risk of suicide, while adults 85 and older, regardless of gender, are the second most likely age group to die from suicide." 



National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Call 1-800-273-8255

In each edition of the BayPath Bulletin, we showcase a different BayPath program and how it helps serve our consumers and local communities.

This month we are shining a light on our

Elder Community Care (ECC) program .

What is the ECC Program?

Elder Community Care is a network of agencies working together to serve elders in their own homes. We provide comprehensive assessment and counseling services to elders and their families in MetroWest. Partners include Advocates, Inc., United Way of Tri-County, and BayPath Elder Services. 

Who can benefit from the ECC program?

ECC is a community outreach program serving older adults who lack access to mental health care. ECC supports individuals who may not have mental health coverage, suffer from the isolation due to the stigma of the disease, or who lack transportation to get to an appointment.  

What services does ECC offer?

BayPath Elder Services serves as the entry point into a coordinated network of agencies and services for homebound older adult consumers, offering in-home depression screening or a mobile assessment. Consumers then have access to counseling, Advocates’ 24-hour crisis team, psychopharmacology, TeleCheck (a telephone check-in service for isolated older adults living at home), and referrals to community resources. 

How is ECC funded?

ECC is made possible by a grant from The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, payments, and contributions from individuals who believe that elders have a right to receive counseling services specifically designed to meet their needs.

Meet BayPath's Elder Community Care Coordinator

 

Edmilse Diaz joined BayPath with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Saint Michael's College, with minors in Anthropology and Gender Studies. While at Saint Michael's, she participated in a service trip to Kolkota, India, volunteering at Daya Din, one of Mother Theresa's home, giving physical therapy to orphans with severe disabilities. She has worked as an ABA Teacher at the Crossroads School, as a Development Specialist at Brighton Day Habilitation, and at the Howard Center, Division of Adult Health Behavioral Services, in Burlington, VT, working at a residential treatment program for adults with severe mental illness.

As BayPath's ECC Triage Coordinator, Edmilse will determine the most appropriate response and care options for older adults with mental health and addiction needs within BayPath's 14-town service area. Additionally, Edmilse will train staff and community partners on depression and other mental health conditions, provide internal consultations with BayPath staff on cases involving mental health issues and support outreach with LGBTQ+ Initiative with efforts to reduce depression, isolation, and suicide among LGBT older adults.

BayPath provides a number of evidence-based Healthy Living Programs to help individuals with the prevention and self-management of chronic diseases and other health conditions. Below are several workshops recently completed or currently in works. 

Active:

A Matter of Balance, administered by the Healthy Living Center of Excellence, is an eight-week management program for older adults, emphasizes practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels. The course is actively taking place, September 25 through November 13 at the Hopkinton Senior Center. This course is currently full.

Upcoming:

Chronic Disease Self-Management is a six-session workshop that empowers participants to once again get pleasure from life by learning how to manage their health. The course teaches lifestyle changes and shows participants how to devise a personalized daily approach to managing their chronic illness symptoms. Two classes are being offered: At the Foxborough Senior Center, September 30 through November 18 and at The Coolidge at Sudbury from October 10 through November 21.  

Recently completed: 

The Savvy Caregiver Program is a no cost, six-session training series for family and friends who are active caregivers of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The workshop started on August 22 and was held at the Hudson Senior Center with 11 attendees successfully completing the program.

Chronic Disease Self-Management workshop was held specifically for Residents of the Highland Glen Apartments Westwood on July 31 through September 4, with eight attendees completing the program.  

BayPath’s Healthy Living Coordinator Renee D'Argento is certified to teach the following: Chronic Disease Self-Management, Savvy Caregiver, Matter of Balance classes, and Diabetes Self-Management. She is actively pursuing a Master Trainer certification.  To Register for our Healthy Living Programs, call Renee at 508-573-7251.

BayPath Elder Services, Inc. is a member of the MetroWest ADRC, 

a partnership with HESSCO and the MetroWest Center for Independent Living.

BayPath Elder Services, Inc.| 508-573-7200 |  http://www.baypath.org