| Care. Support. Solutions. | June 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Dear ,
HESSCO Elder Services is able to offer a variety of programs due to the generosity of our volunteers. HESSCO is one of the only agencies in the state that operates a home delivered meals program with 100% volunteer drivers.
In addition to home delivered meals, HESSCO has several volunteer programs, including Money Management, Ombudsman, and SHINE. HESSCO's Administration is also largely composed of volunteers, through the operation of three volunteer Advisory Councils and a voluntary Board of Directors.
In total, HESSCO has a total of 732 active volunteers, whom performed 33,190 hours of service during the past year.
We would like to offer our deepest and most sincere appreciation of our volunteers. Without them there we would be unable to accomplish all that we do to help the elders and caregivers of South Norfolk County. Our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is being held at the end of June. We hope all our volunteers will be able to join us.
For those interested in volunteering, please contact us. We are always looking for volunteers to help in new exciting ways.
Have a happy and safe summer,
Mary Jean McDermott
Executive Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home Oxygen Fire Safety Campaign
 Do you use home oxygen or know someone who does? Do you know that using home oxygen increases the risk of fire and burns? Stat Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and the Task Force on Home Oxygen Safety, which includes the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Councils on Aging Association, have launched a public education campaign about increased fire dangers when you bring oxygen into the home.
The main danger is smoking. Oxygen users should not smoke, and no one should smoke around another individual if they are using oxygen: the fire danger is too great. It puts everyone nearby - families, neighbors and pets - at significant risk. Home oxygen adds more oxygen into the air, making fires burn faster and hotter. Furniture, clothes, bedding and hair absorb oxygen and can catch fire more easily. When using oxygen, keep 10 feet away from any flame or heat source, such as electric razors, gas stoves, heaters, hair dryers and candles.
Oxygen users should not use flammable products such as petroleum based lip balms or lotions and should quit smoking. It is the best thing for their health and safety. Physicians can offer assistance with quitting.
The critical message of this campaign is to education patients, families, caregiver and physicians about these dangers. Television and radio public service announcements are currently being aired and will run through June. In addition, a new pamphlet that explains the dangers of home oxygen use and fire has been produced. Download the Breathe Easy - Using Home Oxygen Safely pamphlet from www.mass.gov/dfs.
For more information call the Department of Fire Services at (978) 5678 - 3380. |
|
Medication Management and Poison Control
Medication mismanagement is a growing problem which can have devastating results. The regional Poison Control Center is working to help prevent medication mistakes through the publication of the Tips on Taking Your Medicine Safely booklet. Click on this link Tips on Taking Your Medicine Safely to download booklet.
This booklet provides some simple steps and suggestions on how to improve safety of elders who are taking medications. Mistakes in managing medication can result in poisoning.
If you think someone has been poisoned, call the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Do not wait for the victim to look or feel sick. Do not try to treat the person yourself.
Poison Control staff is available at all times to provide quick, accurate, precise poisoning treatment information. If necessary, the victim will be referred to the nearest health care facility for treatment.
When you call the Massachusetts & Rhode Island Poison Control Center, take the poison with you to the phone. You may be asked to read information from the bottle's label. You also will be asked to give:
- your zip code
- the victim's age and weight
- any symptoms the victim has related to the poisoning
- the time the poisoning took place
- the name of the substance or poison
- the amount of the substance or poison
- any current health problems of the victim
- any medicines the victim is taking.
For more information, visit the Poison Control Website at:
|
 Save the Date
for our
Caregiver Conference
Each year, HESSCO is pleased to offer a Caregiver Day of Resources and Relaxation. This year's conference is on September 15th at the Sheraton Four Points. See complete details here.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities are available for area service providers who would like to support this conference and participate in the exhibitor fair. Sponsorship information is available on www.hessco.org or email sleary@hessco.org indicating your interest in sponsoring the conference.
|
|
Healthcare Reform
On June 8th, President Obama held a town hall meeting, which was webcast nationally, to discuss the recent Healthcare Reform Law and the impact it will have on elders. To view the town meeting, click here
The website, www.healthreform.gov also offers much information regarding healthcare reform. |
|
|
 Did You Know? HESSCO volunteers delivered 104,640 meals, answered 5,242
SHINE calls, conducted 1,248 nursing home visits and provided 568 hours of Money Management services during the past year. |
|
| Upcoming Events |
- June 15: Medication Management Talk, Plainville COA. Contact COA for time.
- June 17: Medication Management Talk, Westwood COA. Contact COA for time.
- June 23: Medication Management Talk, Wrentham COA. Contact COA for time.
- June 23: "Be Safe, Smart & Strong", Sharon COA. Contact COA for an appointment
- June 28: Walpole Area VNA Blood Pressure Clinic at the Walpole COA at 12:30 PM.
- June 29: "Be Safe, Smart & Strong", Dedham COA. Contact COA for an appointment.
|
| Contact Information | | HESSCO Elder Services
One Merchant Street
Sharon, MA 02067
phone: 781-784-4944
fax: 781-784-4922
|
|
|
|
|
