News and Updates for September 2025

News & Updates

September 2025 | Volume 3 Issue 12

Upcoming Events

Visit our table at the Barnstable Adult Community Safety Day, Wednesday, September 24

Now Enrolling:

Computer Essentials in Osterville and Harwich enrolling now.
Tech Resources for Everyday Life in Brewster enrolling now.

Call Denise at 508-258-2299 or click here to learn more. Senior Planet classes are offered free of charge to Barnstable County residents age 55 and older.

New Osteoporosis Exercise Class starts Monday, Oct. 6 at the First Church of Harwich. Click here to learn more about our volunteer run exercise classes.

Registration is now open for the Aging and Disabilities Legislative Breakfast, November 14 in Hyannis. This is your chance to share your concerns and ideas with members of the Cape & Islands Statehouse Delegation. To register, call Nancy Hickey at 508-258-2323. Details here.

The RFP Process for Title III B&D Community Grants has been reopened. The new deadline for letters of intent is Friday, Oct. 3 at noon. Information on how to apply is here. Read about the current Title III grantees here.

Walk with Us this Month

Falls Prevention Awareness Week is Sept 22–26! Join our the MA Executive Office of Aging & Independence's 7th annual Step Challenge to spread the word that falls CAN be prevented. Walking boosts mental & physical health AND fights loneliness. ESCCI is trying to beat last year's goal and reach 9 million steps in 2025. You can help. Use your own pedometer or count each mile as 2,500 steps. Count your pup's steps too when you go out for a walk--those steps count too!! Log your steps here.

Meals on Wheels America Conference & Expo 2025:

Sarah Franey Reports

Community Services officer Sarah Franey with Meals on Wheels America CEO Ellie Hollander at the conference in San Antonio.

The outside temperature measured 105 degrees in San Antonio, but you could say the hotter topic was how to sustain the critical Senior Nutrition Program known as Meals on Wheels.

In late August, providers, partners and experts came together in San Antonio, Texas for the Meals on Wheels of America Conference (MOWA) & Expo 2025. I was fortunate enough to attend on behalf of ESCCI’s Senior Nutrition Program. I am glad I did!

Meals on Wheels has been the most effective public-private solution to senior hunger and isolation for more than 50 years. And yet the program still waits – for adequate government funding, donations and volunteers. The 51^st convening of the Meals on Wheels of America Conference, allowed professionals and advocates an opportunity to unify around the collective mission of improving the health and well-being of older adults.

Led by the vivacious and determined CEO of Meal on Wheels America, Ellie Hollander, attendees were challenged to examine the following four focus areas: Building resilience and navigating uncertain times together, leveraging our collective influence to drive change across systems and policies, strengthening local provider capacity to serve more seniors in effective ways and growing partnerships to start, expand and scale services.

I took it as my mission, while at conference, to connect with my peers and program providers across the country. Surely the issues we face at ESCCI’s Meals on Wheels Program can’t be completely unique?

I learned much about other methods and best practices including differing meal delivery schedules and techniques, the possibilities around advocacy and fundraising, and preparing our organization for natural disasters. However, the biggest point taken; getting local, state and national officials to prioritize needs of the program. Why? America is aging at a rapid rate, and current funding does not cover 100% of program costs. In the words of MOWA CEO Ellie Hollander, “More federal cuts are expected to come. We must look to our own network to elevate our issues to ensure seniors have a seat at the table. It is our responsibility to do what we can to guarantee that seniors, in other words, all Americans, have access to food for healthy living.”

I returned home inspired to look at how ESCCI’s Meals on Wheels Program can remain vibrant and sustainable. Fortunately, I already have an exceptional team of staff and volunteers in place who make this work possible!

THANK YOU, STOP & SHOP!!

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Valerie DuBois, Nutrition Site Coordinator, warmly welcomed Stop & Shop Director of External Communications and Public Relations Jennifer Brogan along with Yarmouth Store Managers Adam Smith and Tina Songer to Senior Dining. They'd come bearing a significant gift for our Meals-on-Wheels program. We invited them to stay and join our senior diners for lunch, after which Eddie Howard led us in singing God Bless America. A terrific time was had by all.

“We’ve always been grateful for Stop & Shop’s commitment to the local community, but this extraordinary gift from their family foundation will truly help stabilize our meals program over the coming year,” said Sarah Franey, Director of Community Services at ESCCI.

The Health Benefits of Regular Foot Care

By Kate Clayton-Jones

From the clear air to the soft sandy beaches, Cape Cod invites people to savor the outdoors, but walking on soft sand or beach stones can present challenges for some. Balance is important and strong flexible feet help to better navigate uneven surfaces. Wading in salt water can dry your skin. A little awareness and care can prevent a host of problems.

People tend to ignore their feet until something hurts. It’s important for everyone, especially elders, to know that regular evidence-based foot care is not a luxury. Toenails should be trimmed regularly. Healthy feet should not have any ingrown or thickening nails, wounds, blisters or callouses. Think of your feet as your roots and foundation. Toes must spread wide and be strong and flexible to connect you to the ground and keep you from falling. The skin should be healthy and free from corns and callouses.

I am a registered nurse, and I started FootCare by Nurses in 2016 because I’d seen too many toe and foot amputations that might have been prevented by regular foot care by a healthcare professional. I nursed too many elders who’d fallen and broken a hip because of balance problems related to foot care and shoe fit. I noticed elders suffering from social isolation due to mobility issues, and I realized that nurses trained in evidence-based foot care could identify some of these problems, prevent complications, treat symptoms, and make referrals to podiatrists when necessary. While a spa pedicure is enjoyable, people with foot problems, especially the elderly and those with diabetes, need more comprehensive care, and some prefer it in their homes. FootCare by Nurses which started in Western Massachusetts in 2016, is now providing in-home care on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Healthy happy feet are comfortable in shoes that fit properly, cushioned by socks that wick away moisture and do not bunch or rub, and secure in shoes that have been laced properly so there’s no slippage. When foot care becomes a challenge from injury, ailment or the inability to see or reach, a person will need help. Podiatrists offer this care, but they are hard to find. Nail trimming can be performed at a spa, and esthetically your feet may look pretty and feel better, but an elder, or a person struggling with health issues, should have their feet checked on a regular basis by a professional. Foot care nurses examine feet, correct problems, educate, and make referrals to podiatrists or other specialists, all while working with caring and compassion.

Skin care of the feet should also be a frequent activity. A gentle massage with an edible oil will lift dead skin, improve circulation, and activate the 300,000 sensors in each foot that send vital information to the brain. The caring touch involved in applying oil and rubbing it in also has emotional benefits, especially among elders who often live without touch and the connection it provides. If you give your feet the care they deserve, they will reward you with pain free walking, improved balance, better circulation, and a feeling of well-being.

Dr. Kate Clayton-Jones, RN PhD, MBA, is the founder of FootCare by Nurses LLC

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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