| The Supportive Housing program, which operates | | | | personal care, lifeline and assistance with food |
| from a 10 story building housing 266 residents at | | | | stamp and Mass Health forms will be available to |
| 105 Bel Air Street, gives senior residents and | | | | the residents. OCES will also bring in social, |
| those who are under 65 years old and disabled, | | | | recreational and education programs such as |
| more enhanced services that are meant to help | | | | arthritis exercise programs and guest |
| them "age in place". | | | | speakers. |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Â |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | All seniors and those who are under 65 and |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | disabled living in the building will have access to the |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Supportive Housing program. |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Â |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | OCES has partnered with Medical Resources, the |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Brockton Housing Authority and BAMSI in bringing |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | the Supportive Housing program to Bel Air. |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Â |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | An Open House was held on May 28th to kick off |
|      | | | | the program. Diana L. DiGiorgi, Executive |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Director of OCES and Tom Thibeault, Chief |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Operating Officer of the Brockton Housing |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Authority outlined the Supportive Housing program |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | for residents and attendees. |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Â |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | "The Supportive Housing program is a |
|      | | | | win-win. We've had a good response |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | from residents and they are comfortable with the |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | program," noted Barbara Brenton, Supportive |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Housing Program Specialist. |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Â |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | For more information about the Supportive |
| Â Â Â Â Â | | | | Housing program, contact OCES at 508-584-1561. |
| Â Â | | | | Â |
| There are four key components of the program | | | | About Old Colony Elderly Services |
| which help seniors and those who are disabled | | | | Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elderly Services |
| remain at home longer as opposed to entering a | | | | (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging |
| nursing home: medication reminders; safety | | | | Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the |
| checks; escort to meals five times a week at a | | | | Commonwealth of Massachusetts. |
| congregate meal site and 24/7 emergency | | | | Â |
| response services. | | | | The organization's mission is to provide services |
| Â | | | | that support the dignity and independence of |
| A Supportive Housing specialist will have an office | | | | elders by helping them maximize their quality of |
| in the building and oversee the program five days | | | | life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent |
| a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | | | | unnecessary or premature institutionalization. |
| Additional care services such as housekeeping, | | | | |