By Nicole Long, CEO of Old Colony Elder Services

This month we celebrate our nation’s independence. Along with Independence Day on July 4th, Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) is proud to support different cultures in their independence. One example is the Cape Verdean community who celebrates July 5th as their recognized Independence Day. This holiday honors Cape Verde’s independence from Portugal in 1975 and is the nation’s birthday.

Remain Independent with Community Based Services
OCES recently celebrated 49 years of serving people in the Greater Plymouth County community. It is the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in the southeastern part of Massachusetts. Our agency offers significant life-supporting care, which helps enable individuals to live within the community as independently as possible, for as long as possible, while preserving dignity and quality of life. Our services include Adult Family Care, Family Caregiver Support, Options Counseling, Home Care Services, Information and Referral, and much more! OCES helps individuals (who may otherwise require nursing facility placement) to remain independent with dignity for as long as possible.

Nutrition Services
Older adults who are unable to shop for groceries or prepare their own meals may benefit from OCES’ Home Delivered Meals or “Meals on Wheels,” which provides a delicious, nutritious, hot meal delivered to their home each day. In this way, Meals on Wheels enables these individuals to maintain their independence while also serving as an essential connection to the community.

Have you heard? Caribbean meals are offered at our Community Dining site and as a home delivered meal option in Brockton. We also support independence through many languages, including Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, and Spanish.

Staying Connected
There are many older adults who continue to live independently in their own homes and who may live alone. It’s important to stay connected. Engaging in the community offers opportunities for socializing while also providing a sense of belonging. Here are a few suggestions:

• Attend local activities such as Farmer’s Markets, free concerts, parades, senior centers, and library events.

• Join a local club. For example, a book club or the local garden club.

• Support your local youth or adult sports teams. No need to travel far to enjoy a great baseball game on a summer evening.

• Volunteer at a local organization. How about at a food pantry or an animal shelter?

Get to know others in your community and let them get to know you. Staying engaged and connected is important when it comes to maintaining well-being and independence.

Whether you need assistance or are interested in helping others remain independent, OCES is here to support you! Learn more at www.ocesma.org.