News & Updates

July 2026 | Volume 4 Issue 10

Upcoming Events

Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Honoring the ADA

This month, we recognize the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law that has helped advance accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.On Wednesday, July 29, join the celebration at Mass Audubon's Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Find all the details here.

Recent Events

Did you know? The cost of a homemade meal in Barnstable County or on Nantucket is 29% higher than the national average and the highest in the United States. That's one reason why ESCCI is so very grateful to the good people at Nourish Nantucket and the Nantucket Fund at the Community Foundation for Nantucket for their generous support of our Senior Nutrition Program and Meals-on-Wheels!

Now Enrolling

Elder Services, in partnership with the Alzheimer's Family Support Center of Cape Cod has recently begun offering Medicare's Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) program to area residents living with dementia and their caregivers. To find out if you qualify for this Medicare-funded suite of services, contact our Information and Referral office.

Community Transition Liaison Program Marks Milestone at the State House

Three years after its launch, the Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP) at Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands continues to help residents of long-term care facilities find their way home. To date, the CTLP team has enrolled approximately 600 residents into the program. Of that number, 400+ have either transitioned back to the community or been accepted into programs with the goal of transitioning to the community.

Last month, that work was celebrated on a much larger stage. Connor Breslin, CTLP Supervisor attended the Community Living Initiative event at the State House, which marked one year of the Healey-Driscoll administration's effort to expand support for people with disabilities living in community settings as an alternative to nursing facility care. The event highlighted the collective progress made by CTLP alongside Mass Ability, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah and Secretary of AGE Robin Lipson opened the event, followed by remarks from state representatives and, most powerfully, from consumers themselves.

Among those consumers was Mary, who spent several years at Cape Heritage in Sandwich before the CTLP team, working in collaboration with DMH, helped her secure an apartment in Watertown. The Money Follows the Person Demonstration furnished her new home, and the team connected her with services to support her transition. At the State House, Mary shared how grateful she was to finally be living independently again.

One of the most consistent messages from CTLP staff is that housing is the biggest barrier to leaving a nursing home. But that doesn’t necessarily mean a person doesn’t own a home—it often means the home isn’t yet ready to support the person’s current mobility and care needs.

After an acute event or the onset of an acquired disability, returning home can require changes that are immediate and practical, such as: accessible routes through the home, safer bathrooms and bathing setups, and a layout that supports mobility and daily routines with less fall risk.

CTLP’s experience is that community transitions work best when housing and supports move forward together—so that the home becomes a place someone can truly live in again, safely and with dignity. As affordable housing remains a significant hurdle across The Cape, stories like Mary's are a reminder of what's possible when state resources and local advocacy work together. The CTLP team remains committed to helping more residents make that same journey home.

Don't Wait for a Fall: The Best Time to Modify Your Home Is Before You Need To

By Daniel M. Lynch

Occupational Therapist, Oakley Home Access

Most of us hope to remain in our own homes for as long as possible. It's where our memories are made, our families gather, and where we feel most comfortable. Yet many Cape Cod homes were never designed with aging in mind.

One of the most common misconceptions we see is that home modifications are only needed after someone has fallen or been hospitalized. Unfortunately, by that point, families are often forced to make important decisions under pressure.

As an occupational therapist specializing in home accessibility, I've seen firsthand how a few thoughtful changes can dramatically improve safety, independence, and peace of mind.

Start with the Entrance

Many homes have several steps leading to the front or back door. Even if climbing stairs isn't difficult today, balance, strength, and endurance often change gradually over time.

Simple improvements such as secure handrails, better lighting, non-slip walking surfaces, or a gently sloped ramp can make entering and leaving the home significantly safer

The Bathroom: One of the Highest-Risk Areas

Bathrooms are one of the most common locations for falls because of wet surfaces and limited space. Adding professionally installed grab bars, replacing a traditional tub with a walk-in shower, installing a comfort-height toilet, or using a handheld showerhead can greatly improve safety while maintaining dignity and independence.

Many of these modifications blend seamlessly into the home's design and no longer have the "institutional" appearance people often imagine.

Think Ahead, Not Just About Today

Planning ahead doesn't mean you expect your health to decline. It means preparing your home to adapt if your needs change.

For some homeowners, that may mean widening a doorway during a remodeling project. Others may choose a stairlift or a residential elevator if stairs become more challenging. Making these decisions before they become urgent often results in more options, lower stress, and better outcomes.

Every Home Is Different

No two people, or homes are exactly alike. Age, medical conditions, hobbies, and even the layout of a home all influence which modifications make the most sense.

That's why a professional home assessment can be so valuable. Rather than recommending unnecessary equipment, an occupational therapist evaluates how someone moves throughout their daily routine and identifies practical solutions that help them remain independent.

Sometimes the answer is surprisingly simple. Other times, a carefully planned renovation can allow someone to stay safely in the home they love for many more years.

Aging in Place Is About Living Well

Home accessibility isn't about giving up independence, it’s about preserving it.

The goal is to reduce fall risk, make daily activities easier, and allow people to continue enjoying their homes, families, and communities with confidence.

Whether you're planning for yourself, helping an aging parent, or simply thinking ahead, taking proactive steps today can help avoid unnecessary injuries tomorrow.

After all, the best home modifications are the ones you have in place before you ever need them.

About the Author

Daniel Lynch, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with Oakley Home Access, where he specializes in accessibility evaluations, aging-in-place planning, and home modifications throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Daniel works closely with homeowners, families, contractors, and healthcare professionals to create practical solutions that promote safety, independence, and quality of life.

Kindness, Integrity, Accountability & Teamwork are the Cornerstones of our Success.

Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Inc., is a registered 501c3 organization. We rely on numerous sources of income in order to accomplish our Agency’s mission and depend on the generosity of our community to help us reach our goals.

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