December 2020 Newsletter | THE BAYPATH BULLETIN
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WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR COVID VACCINE?
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The Baker-Polito Administration and the Department of Public Health developed a vaccine distribution timeline.
Since information on the coronavirus gets updated frequently, we recommend that you stay up-to-date on local COVID-19 news at mass.gov.
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Phase 1
December 2020 - February 2021
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- Clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers doing direct and COVID-facing care
- Long-term care facilities, rest homes and assisted living facilities
- Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services
- Congregate care settings (including shelters and corrections)
- Home-based healthcare workers
- Healthcare workers doing non-COVID facing care
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Phase 2
February 2021 - April 2021
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- Individuals with 2+ comorbidities (diseases or medical conditions)
- Early education, K-12, transit, grocery, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works, and public health workers
- Individuals with one comorbidity (disease or medical condition)
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Phase 3
April 2021 - June 2021
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Available to the General Public
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HELPING METROWEST SENIORS GET MEALS!
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NEARLY 7.4 MILLION SENIORS LIVE IN POVERTY
That's an income of $234 a week or less, which after housing, utility and other expenses leaves very little money for food.
BayPath Meals on Wheels has participated in the Subaru Share the Love Event since 2017, resulting in over $14,000 donated to our Home Delivered Meals program. Additionally, even facing a 25 percent increase in the number of consumers joining our program since the pandemic became widespread, BayPath has delivered over 166,000 meals since January 2020.
Results like these are only possible through local partnerships like the one between BayPath & MetroWest Subaru!
Here is how it works: If you purchase or lease a new Subaru through January 4, 2021 from MetroWest Subaru, we ask that you select Meals on Wheels to be the recipient of a $250 donation from Subaru of America, Inc. BayPath will use any funds received to support our Meals on Wheels consumers!
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LIGHTING UP THE HOLIDAYS!
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BAYPATH, WITH THE SUPPORT OF TJX, TURNED WISHES INTO GIFTS FOR OVER 160 BAYPATH CONSUMERS!
Each year during December, we deliver gifts to many of our consumers who may not otherwise receive one. The presents delivered this year were provided by the generous employees of The TJX Companies and BayPath Elder Services. Gift requests are collected from consumers by BayPath case managers and other staffers. Both TJX and BayPath Elder Services fulfilled those requests, bringing great joy this holiday season.
We would like to once again thank TJX for their generous employees and for all they do to help us brighten up the holidays for the consumers we serve by turning wishes into gifts for over 160 BayPath consumers!
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Every year a few BayPath employees volunteer to coordinate this effort, and this year we would like to thank
Mary Lou Sheehan, Kim Ketron and Inez Fontes for going above and beyond in leading this effort.
They worked to collect consumer gift wishes from case managers, coordinate efforts with TJX, and all the other tasks it took to get the gifts ready for delivery.
In addition, we also want to thank the long list of dedicated staff members who volunteered their time to collect, organize, and deliver these gifts and bring a little joy to consumers in need this holiday season.
Based on the smiles of our consumers and some heartwarming feedback, the positive impact of this special holiday program is more than evident! Thanks again to everyone involved.
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COMPASSION IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY
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BAYPATH EMPLOYEES RALLY TO DONATE GIFTS TO TOYS
With 2020 being an unprecedented year and, in many ways, wrought with disheartening news, it is a great time to shed light on the genuine compassion shown by our BayPath employees. They rallied to donate much-needed goods for several local shelters and Toys for Tots.
Receptionist Inez Fontes spearheaded this donation effort collaboratively with Kim Ketron, Training Manager. Over 300 toys and children's and adult clothing, hats, gloves, linens, and small household appliances were generously donated by BayPath's employees between November 1 and December 10. Inez also did the lion's share of deliveries with support from Wanda Jiminez, SCO/OneCare - CDC Skilled Trainer. Thank you, Inez, Kim, Wanda, and the entire BayPath team, for generously donating to these worthy causes.
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Gift donations were provided to:
Toys for Tots – The goal of Marine Toys for Tots is to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy.
Fresh Start Furniture Bank – a volunteer-run charity that helps restore hope, dignity, and stability in our community by recycling donated furniture and housewares, for free, to people in need. Fresh Start's consumers are individuals and families in transition who need help to rebuild their lives.
Pathways Family Center – A 14-family congregate shelter for homeless families that assists families in acquiring permanent, affordable housing, as well as medical, education, vocational, and social services. BayPath employees donated pillows, blankets, and many small houseware items.
Cradles to Crayons – An organization founded by Lynn Margherio in 2002 with the mission to provide everyday essentials to children from birth through age 12 that they need to thrive — at home, at school, and play.
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MASS.GOV: COVID-19 INFORMATION
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Limit in-person celebrations to household members only
Postpone or cancel travel this holiday season.
If you do choose to travel:
Higher-Risk Celebrations and Activities
Any time you gather with others outside of your household, you increase the risk of contracting or spreading illness. All residents are discouraged from gathering.
You are risking your health and the health of others if you host or participate in any in-person festivities if you or anyone in your household:
- has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not completed the isolation period;
- has symptoms of COVID-19;
- is waiting for COVID-19 viral test results;
- may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 10 days; or
- is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions.
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FRANK AND MARY IN SOUTHBOROUGH
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Host Arthur Bergeron, Attorney at Law at Mirick O'Connell, was joined by co-host Doug Peck of Seniors Helping Seniors and a member of the BayPath Board of Directors, BayPath Executive Director Joe Quirk, and Southborough Senior Center Director Pam LeFrancois for the latest edition of his Frank and Mary YouTube series.
During the episode, Joe shared the benefits of BayPath's Home Care and Adult Family Care programs as well as our Home Delivered Meals and Caregiver Support Program, and the broad array of other services offered by BayPath. During COVID-19, BayPath Programs have been adapted to continue to provide support to our consumers during the pandemic.
A key point made by Joe is to reach out to BayPath Elder Services or any Aging Services Access Point in Massachusetts BEFORE you need them. Our Information and Referral service is free of charge and is skilled to offer information, eligibility requirements, and options, which may help you now or in the future.
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BayPath Elder Services: 508-573-7200
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BAYPATH COVID-19 OPERATIONAL
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BayPath is actively taking new referrals and communicating consistently with our existing consumers.
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 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday schedule providing several meals for the days in between deliveries.
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CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT
DATES: Now Accepting Registration for classes
Dates to be confirmed once a minimum # of participants is met
DURATION: Free 6-week workshop + Intro session
DELIVERY METHOD: Online workshop via ZOOM or by phone
DIABETES DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT
DATES: Now Accepting Registration for classes
Dates to be confirmed once a minimum # of participants is met
DURATION: FREE 6-week workshop + Intro session
DELIVERY METHOD: Online workshop via ZOOM or by phone
SAVVY CAREGIVER
DATES: Now Accepting Registration for classes
Dates to be confirmed once a minimum # or participants is met
DURATION: FREE 6-week workshop + Intro session
DELIVERY METHOD: Online workshop via Zoom
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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.
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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 information to our communities' family caregivers. Review all of the offerings for family caregivers on our caregiving website: CareGivingMetroWest.org
BayPath also provides direct support for family caregivers through our Family Caregiver Support Program. Contact our Caregiving Specialist, Donna Murray, at 508-573-7239 or [email protected]
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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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Thank you for reading our monthly newsletter. Sign up with the link below and never miss an issue.
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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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