Berkshire Senior October - November 2022

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Your Care, Your Home, Your Neighbors Information and Referral Department Save energy, save money Medicare Open Enrollment Health & Wellness Expo Elder Services' Information & Referral Specialists: Laura Feakes, Chris Barcus and Kim Munch

“I’m so glad

when

“When Mom got sick, I was so overwhelmed managing her care, filling out paperwork, and trying to be there for her. Thankfully, HospiceCare in The Berkshires was there to make everything easier. They provided compassionate care, that supported a quality of life for Mom.

“They helped us make every moment matter.”
Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 2 877 South Street, Suite 1W • Pittsfield, MA 413-443-2994 • www.hcib.org The difference is in our care
” Offering compassion to our community: • Emotional and spiritual support • Symptom management • Integrative therapies • Home health aides • Meaningful end-of-life care • Bereavement counseling How will you know when it’s time to call hospice? Visit www.HCIB.org/WhenToCallHospice to learn more.
I called HospiceCare in The Berkshires
I did.”

Mission Statement

The mission of Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. is to provide Berkshire elders, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and self-determination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life.

Statement of Inclusivity

Elder Services practices non-discrimination in employment practices and service delivery. Embracing diversity, our in-home and community-based services are available to all without regard to race, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or lifestyle.

Twitter:

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Hoping all is well with you and yours.

Elder Services is pleased to announce that we have hired a new Ombudsman Program Manager. Caitlyn will begin her new role in mid-October. She will be responsible for Elder Services’ Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and for overseeing the volunteers who visit and advocate for nursing home residents. This leadership transition represents a fresh start for the Program and this seems like a great time to revisit the important role Ombudsman volunteers perform advocating for residents of Berkshire County’s nursing homes.

LinkedIn:

Berkshire Senior

Editorial Board: Deb Aldrich, Kimberly Kelly , Christine Thomson, Laura Feakes, Christopher McLaughlin, Kathleen Cleary, Kathleen Phillips, Susan Guerrero and Kara Graziola.

Advertising: To place an advertisement in Berkshire Senior, please contact Kate Teutsch at (413) 496-6324 or e-mail advertising@berkshireeagle.com.

Berkshire Senior is published bi-monthly by Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc., 877 South Street, Suite 4E, Pittsfield, MA 01201, 499-0524 or 1-800-5445242, e-mail: esbc@esbci.org or on the internet at www.esbci.org.

NOTICE

Berkshire Senior advertising helps to the defray the costs of producing the newspaper. Inclusion of advertisers in no way implies that Elder Services endorses any product or service.

Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of Elder Services. For medical, financial or other advice, seek a qualified professional in the appropriate field.

Elder Services and its programs are funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

State and federal funds provided to Elder Services are limited. Elder Services welcomes charitable donations to help meet the growing needs of Berkshire seniors, and gratefully acknowledges all donations.

The word “ombudsman” is not only difficult to pronounce, it is also a word whose meaning is not easily understood. The word ombudsman comes from a medieval Swedish word that means representative of the people. Our use of the word describes a volunteer who advocates for the rights of individuals who reside in nursing homes. In Berkshire County, ombudsman volunteers advocate for the rights of nursing home residents who may not have family or friends who can resolve issues for them. Ombudsmen investigate complaints, report findings and help find solutions between nursing home residents and the facilities they live in. Maybe Nursing Home Resident Advocate or something similar better describes what an ombudsman does. However, for now the Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) continues using the term ombudsman.

You may remember articles in the Berkshire Eagle and stories on the nightly news during the past year highlighting staffing challenges and resident care issues in some Berkshire County nursing homes. Nursing home staffing levels were a major challenge before COVID-19. During the pandemic, nursing home staffing approached crisis levels with several staff resigning and few choosing to work in nursing homes and risk exposing themselves and their loved ones to the Coronavirus. Although this situation is somewhat better than it was earlier in the pandemic, concerns regarding resident safety and care issues continue.

Many nursing home residents are fortunate to have families or friends who take an active interest in their well-being and intervene with nursing home administration on their behalf. However, some residents are not as fortunate. They may be unable to advocate for themselves and do not have anyone who will take up their cause. Elder Services Ombudsmen are able to assist in these instances.

Elder Services’ Long Term Care Ombudsman Program’s volunteers are uniquely prepared to advocate for the residents of Berkshire County’s thirteen nursing homes. These volunteers are trained and certified by EOEA to provide in-person or virtual visits with the residents of their assigned facilities. These visits entail identifying resident issues and concerns, working with the facility’s administration on a resolution and empowering residents to advocate

ELDER SERVICES UPDATE Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 3
End of Summer in the City������������������������������������������� 4 Elder Services’ Information and Referral Department (I&R) ������������������������������������������ 5 Save Energy, Save Money �������������������������������������������� 6 Medicare Open Enrollment ����������������������������������������� 8 Senior Meal Sites ����������������������������������������������������������� 9 Health & Wellness Expo���������������������������������������������� 11 Elder Services Now Hiring ����������������������������������������� 11 Donations ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 14 Contents Volume 40, Number 5 October 2022 The bi-monthly newspaper for Berkshire County seniors FREE FB/BerkshireSenior
@Berkshire Senior Instagram: berkshiresenior
Elder Services of Berkshire County
continued on page 4

The End of Summer in the City

Can it really be true that summer is over?

The cool early morning air is the first telltale sign of summer being on the wane.

Could it also be true that local schools have opened once again? It seems like just yesterday everyone was gearing up for summer vacation. Now it’s over. In reality, the summer was a good one with many excursions, events, and enjoyable times in the beautiful Berkshires.

COVID’s ugly tentacles failed to reach into vacation plans and most summer events. The most dangerous times of the pandemic were, thankfully, pretty much a thing of the past. Happy moments of summer have now faded into memories.

The new school year has always been fun to look forward to and to dream about.

In my own childhood home, getting ready for school verged on thrilling. It meant new clothes including shoes that squeaked from newness when we walked in them.

How my parents ever paid for new clothes for five kids is beyond me. They never had much money yet we never went without new duds for school. Another hot item was the coveted pencil box. The actual rectangular box slid inside a top. It contained sharpened pencils, new erasers, some colored pencils and a skimpy little plastic ruler. We thought those boxes were awesome.

First school day jitters caused our hearts to pound extra hard. We anticipated seeing our old friends again but the thought of meeting our teachers always caused some momentary panic. I can remember every single teacher from kindergarten through sixth grade at Bartlett Elementary School on Onota Street. Do you remember your first teachers?

The school’s heavy wooden doors opened when a deafening bell rang out and we filtered into huge, (to little kids), classrooms to hear about the rules and regulations from the teacher. In those days, there were wooden desks with lift-up tops and there was a round ink well in one corner. Inside the desk, we put our school papers, reading books and pencil boxes. So many memories come flooding back about school, despite the passage of more decades than I care to count.

One thing was absolutely true then, as well as now, and that is that teachers were terribly important in the lives of every student. Kids are so impressionable. When a teacher smiles at a student who is shaking in his shoes, and reassures him that everything is going to be okay, suddenly all seems right in the world. Teachers have a huge influence in the lives of their young charges. I wonder if they realize how important they are to kids of all ages, particularly little ones. The earliest lessons I learned in life were not about arithmetic or

reading. Instead, they were about kindness and order, creativity, obedience and learning about my place in the classroom and in the world---all taught by teachers. Those lessons were life-long. What a legacy teachers leave for students.

When schools open, hundreds of tomorrow’s citizens will walk into city classrooms.

May each one have a teacher

Ombudsman Program

continued from page 3

on their own behalf.

We look forward to Caitlyn beginning to establish relationships with the nursing homes in Berkshire County and promoting this very important program. If you believe you or someone you know should speak with an ombudsman please call (413) 499-0524. If you have a passion for serving others and would like to make

who is knowledgeable, kind, understanding and really wanting to be in the classroom. As for the summer of 2022, we now let it go, like the string of a helium balloon in the hand of a birthday kid. Into oblivion it rises and fades away from view. Now, it’s on to bigger and brighter days ahead and nowadays, without the ol’ pencil boxes. Let the fun and learning begin!

Quality

Non-Medical Care in the Comfort of Home

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a difference in the lives of your Berkshire neighbors please call to learn more about becoming an Ombudsman volunteer.

Just a reminder that October 15 is the beginning of Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec. 7). Please see the article on Open Enrollment on page 8.

Until next time be good, be kind and be careful.

SENIOR NEWS Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 4
|
| HOMEKEEPING

Elder Services’ Information and Referral Department (I&R)

I&R is the gateway to Elder Services of Berkshire County and to aging and disability resources available throughout the state for residents of Berkshire County. They are the place you can call when you don’t know who to call, and have remained readily available to callers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

I&R’s knowledgeable Specialists are a free comprehensive information resource for questions about: home care services, public benefits, housing options, transportation, nutrition and much more. They help people understand their problem and make informed decisions about possible solutions. After assessing a caller’s needs, I&R Specialists access their large resource database to help connect people with the appropriate information, services, and

agencies to address their specific issues and concerns. They may advocate on behalf of those who need special support.

I&R also serves as a single point of entry for ESBCI programs, assisting older adults, caregivers, and professionals in accessing a comprehensive range of services that address issues of well-being and independence in the community. If it appears that you, or the person you are calling on behalf of, might be eligible for some of ESBCI’s state-subsidized services, I&R will ask you some questions and make a referral to a specific program.

Over the past year, the I&R team handled thousands of calls for assistance and was instrumental in linking callers with vital Covid related information and resources. ESBCI is a member of the The Alliance of Information

and Referral Systems (AIRS), the national professional membership association for community information and referral, and in addition some Specialists are certified SHINE Counselors, trained in the most up-to-date health insurance information for Medicare beneficiaries. I&R regularly contributes articles to the Berkshire Senior newspaper, providing timely and valuable information to the community. In addition, the I&R team regularly maintains and updates the Berkshire County portion of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affair’s online searchable MassOptions.org webpage that connects elders, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers with agencies and organizations that can best meet their needs.

Make I&R your first call!

Contact the team weekdays from 8am – 5pm at 413-499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242 (toll free within Massachusetts).

DID YOU KNOW?

You should be skeptical of emails telling you to act immediately. Phishing scams often use urgent emails to have you perform an action they want. Always verify that an email is legitimate.

Enj oy li fe with a co mmunit y of fri end s.

The Inn at Lathrop Community offers a positive and supportive environment that helps build and nurture a sense of community and well-being. You’ll benefit from life enrichment programs and greater opportunities for socialization and fitness. Discover the meaning of Enhanced Independent Living at The Inn.

One Bedroom apartments are ready for immediate occupancy.apartments dy
SENIOR RESOURCES Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 5 A Not-for-Profit Community Serving Older Adults in the Quaker Tradition. 413-437-5892 | lathrop.kendal.org | 100 Bassett Brook Drive Easthampton, MA

Save energy, save money

Autumn is the ideal time to winterize your home to protect it against the upcoming dipping thermometer. You can make your home feel warmer without turning up the heat! No matter what type of fuel you use to heat your home, if you make your home more energy efficient, you will lower your energy consumption and thereby reduce your heating bill. With the following winterization tips, you’ll save energy without spending much money:

• Check the heating system and give it a tune-up. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and

properly adjusted will reduce energy use.

• Change furnace filters regularly during the heating season. Dirty air filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. Or consider switching to a permanent filter to reduce waste.

• Install a programmable thermostat to automatically drop to a lower temperature at night and at times when you are away from your house.

• Properly seal doors, and windows. Caulk or weather strip windows and doors to prevent heat loss. Install storm windows and doors to keep out drafts. Or put up plastic - pick up a window insulation kit at

Autumn Word Search

your local hardware or discount store.

• Pay less for hot water by insulating pipes with foam insulation that is easy to install. This also decreases the chance of the pipes freezing, especially in uninsulated spaces or against outside walls.

• Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket to prevent heat loss. Drain water from the tank every few months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater.

• Insulate your attic, walls, basement, and crawl space. By increasing and filling gaps in insulation in older homes you keep the home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators, and make sure furniture and curtains are not blocking vents.

Not sure where to start? Get a home energy assessment. A home energy assessment is a professional audit of how you use energy in your home and where you can make improvements.

Berkshire County residents can receive a free assessment through Mass Save®, or, if income eligible, through Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC).

Mass Save® offers no-cost virtual or in-person home energy assessments to homeowners, renters and landlords to help you learn about your top energy-saving opportunities in an easy, convenient way. An Energy Specialist will assess your current energy use, help you develop a plan to make your home more energy efficient, and educate you on rebates and incentives you may qualify for (including 0% financing and 75% or more off approved insulation). The assessment will also allow you to receive recommended no-cost energy-saving products shipped directly to your door for you to install, such as ENERGY STAR® certified LED bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators,

and efficient thermostats. You can schedule an assessment by calling 1-866-527-SAVE (7283). For more information see the Mass Save website www.masssave.com.

BCAC helps eligible Berkshire County residents lower their monthly energy bills and upgrade their homes to be more comfortable, typically at no cost to the homeowner or tenant. They have programs paid for with a combination of Federal and Utility Company funding designed to help income eligible households with home energy assessments & weatherization services, heating systems repair and fuel assistance. Eligible work includes insulation for attics, walls, floors and heating system pipes and ducts. Also eligible are weather stripping, air sealing, and minor repairs related to saving energy. Electricity savings programs are available to qualified households that may include installing energy efficient light bulbs, and replacing high energy use refrigerators. In some cases, heating systems can be repaired or replaced. The programs are available to most people who are eligible for the Federal LiHeap Fuel Assistance Program. For more information and eligibility guidelines, call BCAC’s main office in Pittsfield (413-445-4503) or the North County office in North Adams (413-663-3014), or visit their website https://bcacinc.org.

WINTER READINESS Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 6

Is a living funeral right for you?

See what this new tradition is all about.

When you think of a fu neral, you might imagine people standing together, wishing they could say things they never ex pressed to their loved one. Whether a traditional cer emony, a wake, or other form of funeral, these all share something: their loved one can’t hear them.

An emerging tradition is changing all that. It’s called a living funeral and it’s a way to celebrate someone while they’re still alive – and there to hear everything friends and family want to share.

WHY WOULD SOMEONE CHOOSE A LIVING FUNERAL?

Ceremonies are memo rable because of how they bring people together. For instance, weddings often have speeches, celebrating the couple and creating a bond between everyone. Why not include a similar experience in another fac et of life that we all share – death? Why not embrace death as part of life and make it as full of connec tion as possible?

In the book Tuesdays with Morrie, Morrie re flects on his colleague’s passing. “What a waste,” he said. “All those people saying all those wonderful things, and Irv never got to hear any of it.” Morrie had a better idea. He made some calls. He chose a date. And on a cold Sunday afternoon, he was joined in his home by a small group of friends and family for his own living funeral.

This approach allows

people to choose how they’d like to celebrate their life. When you plan your own living funeral, you can have a gathering that fits how you want to be remembered.

Saying goodbyes togeth er can help you feel peace and empowerment in pre paring for end-of-life. It’s a way to create closure be tween everyone, and leave nothing unsaid.

WHAT IS A LIVING FUNERAL LIKE?

Another great thing about this approach is you can create it in any way you imagine.

You can include reli gious elements like hymns and prayers. It could be more like a retirement party, with speeches and festive decorations. Din ner, dancing, sharing sto ries and slide shows are common. Sometimes a person will read their will out loud to avoid confusion after they’re gone.

Another common ritual is visiting your final rest ing place and spending time there before you die. This can bring amazing peace, empowerment, and comfort.

At a place like Better Place Forests Berkshires – where people can choose a memorial tree as their resting place – visiting the forest is a beautiful way to do this. They can bring friends and family to explore the woods and help them choose their tree. They can visit as much as they like and de velop a relationship with the land. This can help

them come to terms with mortality in a soothing, even joyful, way. If you’re curious about this option, call us at 877-830-8311 –we’re happy to answer any questions.

“The idea of being part of a forest brought me peace and joy. This is what my tree, our walk through the forest, and my daughter’s understanding as we walked together brought me — and why I chose the tree I did. It was an incredible moment in time for us, and an opportunity for my only child and I to face my mortality with peace and love.”

- Better Place Forests customer, Julia O.

In this setting, a living funeral is always an op tion. Including nature can bring ease and beauty to the event. And everyone will be included in the leg acy of caring for the planet that takes care of us all.

HOW TO PLAN A LIVING FUNERAL

The sky is the limit! You can create it in any way you like. Here are some starting points to help you plan.

• Set the tone for the event. Do you want it to be som ber or joyful, religious or agnostic? Your answers will influence the rest of your planning.

• Choose a location. Liv ing funerals can be in your home, favorite res taurant, community cen ter, place of worship, lo cal banquet hall, or any place of significance.

• Ask guests to bring me mentos like photos, jewel ry, or other trinkets that symbolize a memory or special connection. These can be helpful icebreak ers when sharing stories.

• Appoint a friend or rela tive to act as the MC, or hire an officiant to help manage the flow of

speakers and activities.

• Cater — or ask friends to cook — your favorite foods. Food brings com fort, and sharing meals can be bonding.

• Hire a videographer. The recording can be shared later and enjoyed during your final days.

• Curate a playlist of your favorite music. In troduce people to your favorite songs, and cel ebrate with dancing.

Planning your end-oflife celebration is deeply personal. It can be just as unique as you are. If you’re curious about choosing a memorial tree as your resting place – and making conservation your legacy –schedule an online forest tour with us. We can help you start exploring your end-of-life plans and see if a tree in our Berkshires forest is right for you. For any questions, just give us a call at 877-830-8311.

SPONSORED CONTENT
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 7

Berkshire Senior Television

Crisp Mornings, Burnished Leaves, and Medicare Open Enrollment!

It’s almost that time of year again! The Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period is fast approaching. If you have a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO, PPO), you should have received information from your plan by the end of September.

Currently airing on PCTV

Currently airing on PCTV, Channel 1301 Access Pittsfield

Channel 1301 Access Pittsfield

It is important to understand and save this information because it explains the changes in your plan for 2023. Changes can include premium increases or decreases and changes to your coverage for your prescriptions.

Broadcast schedule:

Broadcast schedule:

Mondays at 5:00 p.m. ▪ Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

PCTV channel 1301

Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. ▪ Saturdays at Noon

Mondays at 5 p.m., Tuesdays at 3 p.m., Thursdays at 11 a.m.

& Saturday 11:30 a.m.

Or watch online, ON DEMAND on pittsfieldtv.org.

Thank you to our friends at PCTV for all their help in making Berkshire Senior TV accessible to our community.

During the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7), you will have the opportunity to change your plan for next year. Elder Services’ SHINE Counselors can help you understand your plan changes, as well as other options you may have.

It is extremely important that you keep a look out for information as there are changes that could significantly affect your medical insurance. Critically evaluate all the marketing materials that you receive. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is. SHINE counselors are here to support you and help you sort through the vast amounts of information that is out there so that you can make the best possible informed decisions that are in your best interest.

Trained SHINE volunteers offer free, confidential counseling on all aspects of Medicare and related health insurance programs. Appointments are available at many Councils on Aging and at the Elder Services’ Pittsfield office.

ingside

ESBCI Staff and staff of the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office discuss vegetarian and medically tailored meals.
OPEN ENROLLMENT Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 8 If You Need Transpor tation Assistance We Are Available 2 4/7, 365 Days Serving All of New England & New York 18 Oak St., Pittsfield, MA • (413) 4 47-3800 You name it, we do it! Established in 2003 • Medical Appointments • Holiday Get Together s • Dinner • Shopping When it comes to car ing for senior s, it ’s a mat ter of t r ust Meet t he Berk shir es Senior Car e Family Spr
255 Lebanon Ave P it t sfield 413-499-2334 Rehabilitation Sk illed Care Cranev ille Place 265 Main St reet Dalton 413-684-3212 Rehabilitation Sk illed Care Sugar Hill 45 Main St reet Dalton 413-684-0100 Independent L iv ing Assisted Living • Memory Care Visit us online at www.BaneCar e.com

Berkshire Community College student Austin Rock kicked off technology workshops at Lenox Council on Aging.

BERKSHIRE COUNTY

Due to the continuing State of Emergency, the status and offerings of the Senior Community Dining Centers are likely to evolve. Please call for the latest update.

CITY/TOWN PHONE

NO� ADAMS 662-3125

WILLIAMSTOWN 458-8250

ADAMS 743-8333

Austin Rock and Norah Wood at the Adams Street Fair.

CHESHIRE 743-9719

LANESBORO 448-2682

ADDRESS

DAYS MEALS SERVED SERVING TIME

SPITZER CENTER 116 Ashland St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am

HARPER CENTER 118 Church St. M-W-F 11:30 am

COMMUNITY CENTER 3 Hoosac St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am

SENIOR CENTER 119 School St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am

TOWN HALL 83 North Main St. M-W 11:30 am

DALTON 684-2000

TOWN HALL Route 577 Main St. T & TH 11:00 am

SENIOR CENTER 40 Field St. Ext. M-TH 12:00 pm BECKET 623-8934

PITTSFIELD 499-9346

LEE 394-4160

GT� BARRINGTON 528-4118

PITTSFIELD 442-2200 KOSHER

STOCKBRIDGE 298-3222

PROVIDENCE CT� 443-1841

COMMUNITY CENTER 65 Walker St. M-T-W-TH-F 12:00 pm

SENIOR CENTER 330 North St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am LENOX 637-5535

SENIOR CENTER 21 Crossway Village M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am

SENIOR CENTER 917 South Main St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am

JEWISH COMM� CTR 16 Colt Road M-T-TH 11:45 am

HEATON COURT 5 Pine St. CLOSED CLOSED

PROVIDENCE COURT 379 East St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am

SENIOR CENTER 50 Main St. CLOSED CLOSED SHEFFIELD 229-7037

STOCKBRIDGE 298-4170

SENIOR CENTER 25 Cook Road W & F 12:00 pm

Eligible seniors 60 years or older are welcome to attend any Senior Community Dining Center. Reservations are requested 24 hours in advance. The suggested donation is $3.00 per meal. All contributions are returned to the community toward the cost of the Nutrition Program and Services. Those 59 or under are welcome at a required fee of $8.00 per meal.

Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. NUTRITION PROGRAM SENIOR COMMUNITY DINING CENTERS
MEALS ON WHEELS Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 9 Voted Best of t he Berkshi res! Pit t s f ield O ff ice 74 0 Williams S tree t , Pit t s f ield, MA 01201 413 4 47 8070 Dalton O ff ice 4 00 Main S tree t , Dal ton, MA 012 26 413 68 4 -978 3 L enox O ff ice 90 Pit t s f ield Road, L enox , MA 0124 0 413 6 3 7-28 10 JOHN DEL AHANT Y, ADPT MANDA ROBERTS, DPT BERKSHIRE PHYSICAL THERAPY & WELLNESS TIFFANY BROWER, PT JOY MIL ANI, PT SHAUNNA HOULE, DPT RYAN TUGGE Y, PTA ROBERT PADUANO, PT NICOLE TUCKER, PT BRENT SYLVIA , PT JACKIE FARRELL , DPT THOMAS COONE Y, DPT
MEALS ON WHEELS Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 10 We’re Perfecting the Art of Superior Care. 235 Walker Street Lenox, MA 01240 800-283-0061 www.kimballfarms.org You’ve Arrived! Retirement is • Get Inspired • Be Social • Feel Secure We will be ready when you INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • SKILLED NURSING • MEMORY CARE • Reignite Your Passions • Embrace Adventure • Enrich Your Life Independent Living | Assisted Living Memory Care NEW INDEPENDENT LIVING RATES STARTING AT $2,675 Call 413-4 9 9-19 92 or learn more at wingatehealthcare.com Live independently in style, without the worry and stress of daily housekeeping. You’ll have more than enough time to enjoy our life enrichment programs! Experience our newly renovated community, reimagined with modernized design. Enjoy a healthy balance of independence, support, and the right level of care you need when you need it!

Make extra money delivering meals a few hours per week! We have part-time and per diem roles to help make sure older adults and people with disabilities get the nutritious meals they need.

Call us at 413-499-0524 or visit our website at www.esbci.org for more information.

Chris McLaughlin, Noelle Pandell and Cassie Carmon greet staff members at Staff Appreciation Picnic. Fun times at staff picnic.
HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 11
Drivers for our Meals on Wheels Team! NOW HIRING Flexible schedules with no evenings, weekends or holidays!
HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO 2022 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH WELLNESS EXPO WITH INFORMATION AND PRESENTATIONS GEARED TOWARDS SENIORS. HEALTH * FINANCIAL* WELLNESS * HOME * LEISURE * SUPPORT RAFFLING * LIGHT FARE * GIVE AWAYS THE EXPO WILL BE TAKING PLACE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF OUR SENIOR CENTER AT 330 NORTH STREET, PITTSFIELD MA BCAC FALLON HEALTH VETERAN’S OFFICE BRTA HEALTH NEW ENGLANDWHOLE HEARTH CAPTION CALL HYPNOSIS YMCA with information and presentations geared towards seniors. The EXPO will be taking place on the second floor of our Senior Center at 330 North Street, Pittsfield MA FREE EVENT HEALTH • FINANCIAL • WELLNESS HOME • LEISURE SUPPORT • RAFFLING LIGHT FARE • GIVE AWAYS BCAC BRTA CAPTION CALL CAREGIVER HOME CHP DEVANNY CONDRON FALLON HEALTH HEALTH NEW ENGLAND HYPNOSIS LIFELINE RSVP SDP– HAPPY CLUB VETERAN’S OFFICE WHOLE HEARTH YMCA AND MANY MORE……. * FLU CLINIC WILL BE ON FIRST FLOOR *
FUEL ASSISTANCE Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 12

BERKSHIRE COUNTY LEGISLATORS

UNITED STATES CONGRESS

Congressman Richard Neal

372 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

(202) 225-5601

300 State Street, Suite 200 Springfield, MA 01105-1711 (413) 785-0325

Senator Adam Hinds

24 Beacon Street, Room 109E Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-1625

District Office: (413) 344-4561

Adam.hinds@masenate.gov

Rep. Smitty Pignatelli

24 Beacon Street, Room 473F

Boston, MA 02133

(617) 722-2692

District Office: (413) 637-0631

Rep.smitty@mahouse.gov

Rep. John Barrett, III

24 Beacon Street, Room 237 Boston, MA 02133

(617) 722-2305

District Office: (413) 743-8300 John.barrett@mahouse.gov

Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier

24 Beacon Street, Room 127 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2680

District Office: (413) 442-4300 Tricia.farley-bouvier@mahouse.gov

Rep. Paul Mark

24 Beacon Street, Room 160 Boston, MA 02133

(617) 722-2304

District Office: (413) 464-5635 Paul.mark@mahouse.gov

The way YO U wo uld like to be re me mbe red...

Recovering and healing isn’t just about great medical care, it’s ensuring you or your loved one experiences a full, happy and vibrant life during the healing process.

With Noble Horizons’ holistic approach to living and care you can not only expect better outcomes, but an overall better wellness journey. Mind, Body, Soul.

17 Cobble Road, Salisbury, CT (860) 435-9851

www.noblehorizons.org

A non-profit organization

Senior Living Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing Memor y Care

Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 13
THE ART OF aging Noble HORIZONS YEARS 50 1972-2022
Experience the Ar t of Healing F r i e nd s he l p i n g f r i e nd s si n c e 1 9 1 8 4 0 M A P L E W O O D AV E N U E • P I T T S F I E L D , M A 0 1 2 0 1 C A L L U S : 41 3 4 4 5 5 9 8 8 P r o u d a f f i l i a t e o f C a r r i a g e S e r v i c e s C a r o l i n e R S u l l iv a n | J o h n W B re sn ah a n
Allow u s to help put your vision in plac e and put your family’s mind at ease. Please c all u s to inquire about our pre planning guide or at need ser vic e s.

Thank You To Our Donors:

The following donations were received between July 1, 2022 and August 31, 2022. Donations received on or after September 1, 2022 will appear in the next issue of Berkshire Senior.

Memorial Donations

In Memory of: Bernice “Red” Alcombright

Berkshire County Sheriff’s Association

Irene Ferrari Richard and Priscilla Foley

Regina Mullens

Lisa and Timothy Pauling

In Memory of: Joan Arienti Jodi Rathbun-Briggs

In Memory of: William Broderick

Katherine Broderick

In Memory of: Reno and Norma Buratto

Jane LePrevost

In Memory of: John T Hughes

James Slaminski

In Memory of: Eliozar Jones

Gregory Jones

In Memory of: Mary Newman Shannon Johndro

Cathy Williams

In Memory of: Elaine Vranas Catherine Maloney

Elder Independence Donations

David Grady Doris Pasquarelli

Christine Castellon

Janice DiTomasso

Norman and Rosanne Schutz

Lois Adams

Donald Alderman Jr.

Anthony and Amy Anderton Patti Annechiarico

Robert and Shirley Annelli

David Ariazi

James Armstrong Allen and Shirley Arndt

Thomas Bailey

Mary Barbuto

Richard and Rosanne Beauchamp

Alfred and Frances Bedini

Barbara Benham

Barbara Bennett

Nancy Borges

Beverly Bourassa Edward and Pamela Bourdon Jeffry and Marcella Bradway Jeanne Bresnehan

Nancy and Richard Brooks

Robert Bugley

John and Nancy Burton Terry and Patricia Cardin Gene and Justyna Carlson

Carlson Propane Alan and Roselle Chartock

Carol Christopher Richard and Wendy Clothier

Richard and Sandra Cobb

Thomas and Nioma Coen Daniel and Emma Connors

Nancy Cook

Marilyn Daub

Dan and Julie Daub

John and Deborah De Forest

Peter Dudek

Ursula Ehret-Dichter

Fairview Contractors, Inc

Peter and Janice Filicetti

Shirley Finkelstein

Diana Fontana

Diana French

Thomas Furlano

Sully and Mary Garofano Eugene and Patricia Gebarowski

Virginia Giddens

Jay and Joan Gold Sheila and William Goldlust

Pauline Green Linda Greenhouse Bernard and Kathleen Gregory Cande Grieve

Terrence and Mary Jane Hanlon

Donald Hanson

Jan and Harry Hartford Joseph Havrilla Mary Hayes

Joan Hayford Carole and Dan Holliday Thomas and Elaine Jones

Patricia Karlquist Peter Karpenski Linda Kaufmann John Keenum

Brant and Jamie Keller

John Kellogg

Russell Kenyon

Nancy King

Nancy Kingsley Delmore and Georgette Kinney

Carol Kirby

Tom and Rosanna Koelle Kathryn Korte

Richard Kurek Edward and Constance Ladouceur

Melissa LaFrance

Neal and Patricia Langlois Fern Lavelle

Elaine Lee

Peter and Susan LePrevost John and Lauryn Levesque Frank Lipinski Katt Lissard

Patrick Litano Richard Macht Lorraine and Albert Mancuso John Masiero Jr. Virginia McHugh Carol Messerschmitt Constance Metall Richard and Ruth Moon Bob and Janice Moresi Harry Morey Anna Murphy

Richard Murray MyCom FCU Marcella Nevin Clifford and Lynne Nilan Northeast Fabricators & Mechanical Services Barbara Noyes

Cornelius and Mary Obanhein Mary and Robert O’Brien Edward and Audrey Olszewski

Joyce Orell Michael Ouellette

Wayne Palmer

Anthony Parise Tom and Marcia Partenope Diane Philippe-Gingras

Dorothy Phillips Allan and Susan Pike Daniel Pupo Beverly Reynolds Philip Rich Angela Rifkin

Walter Ritter

Richard and Catherine Roberts Ralph and Frances Robinson Nancy Rodovick Helaine Rose Robert and Mary Ross

Philip and Patricia Rossi

Joseph and Colleen Rossi Susan and Don Rothschild

Harold Rudin

Joseph and Pat Salvadore Thomas and Victoria Sedgwick Frederick and Joanne Seymour Rose Shaw

Mary Shogry-Hayer

John and Kimberly Slade Stedman Stephens Gerald and Yvonne Stephens Seth Stockwell

Maureen Strype

Suburban Internal Medicine Uldis and Maija Surmanis Thomas and Maxine Tatro Gary and Sandra Tatro Ted Okun

Wayne and Lisa Tenney

June Thomas Norma Tomkowicz

Neville Toye Jr. William and Kathryn Turner Robert and Carolyn Ullrich John and Shirley Vachula Edward and Linda Van Dyke Barbara Vienneau

Jeffrey and Kay Waingrow Robert and Lee Watroba

Jim and Bunny Whitman

Judith Williams

Wohrle’s Foods, Inc. Mary Ann Wojtaszek

Julia Wolfrum Marjorie Wylde Olivia Zegarowski Edward and Emily Zoladz

General Donations

Adams Community Bank Cynthia Armstrong Jennifer Brennan

Robert and Margaret Cimini Cynthia Golin Caron Hobin

Richard Kurek

Stephen and Susan Marko Antonio and Margaret Pagliarulo John & Mary Philpott

Stephen and Jodi St. Peter Ronald and Martha Stewart

Verna Tenney

Meals on Wheels

Donations

Greylock Federal Credit Union

Tamar Schrager

SHINE Donations

Lansen Mold Co. Inc.

Joel and Patrice Less

T innitus

to understand

Dr.

DONATIONS Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 14
Andrew J. Puttick Au.D., F A A 510A Nor th Street, Suite 9, Pit t sfield, M A 01201 • (413) 443-4800 • greylockaudiolog y.com Providing comprehensive hearing healthcare in the Berkshires for 20 years s Comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluations • to investigate medical concerns s Lifest yle focused hearing aid consultations • to hear your best & enjoy the most s Real Ear measurement s • for optimal benefit from hearing aids s
evaluation and treatment •
your options for relief MONUMENTS • MARKERS • LETTERING 413-499-1750 234 Wahconah Street Pittsfield MA 01201

Since 1983 MOL ARI Health Care has enjoyed providing our neighbors in Berkshire Count y with trusted, qualit y homecare. Working as your par tner, our staff will create a flexible care plan to fit your needs With MOL ARI you are assured that you and your care is our number one priorit y.

MOL ARI is committed to pro viding the best possible solution for

LETTER FROM BOARD PRESIDENT Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 15 Sav ino Empire Monu ment s, Inc. E st. 1931 Complete Ser vice of Monu ment s & Ma rkers 10 0 Wa hcona h St. Pit t sfield, M A 01201 (413) 4 42 4149 Donna Bre wer, O w ner Ste ven J Bre wer, Director Marketed & Managed by 176 Columbus Ave. Pittsfield, MA 413-443-9125 aberkshiretown@oconnells.com oconnellseniorliving com Let Us Welcome You Home Berkshiretown Apartments Appleton Managed Properties Providing Quality, Affordable “Smoke Free” Senior Living in Western and Central Massachusetts for over 40 years! Our Apartments ALWAYS Include • Rent is Income Based • All Utilities Included • Appliances & Window Coverings • On-Site Laundry • Elevator • Planned Activities • Professional Staff • Resident Services • Convenient Location • Controlled Entry • Private Balconies (for most apartments) • We are Pet Friendly • 24 Hour Emergency Maintenance Services Heat & Hot Water Join over 1,450 of the most creative, engaged, and active adults in the Berkshires for courses, events, and community. Learn more and register at berkshireolli.org AT BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
your home healthcare needs. • A ssist ance with Per sonal C ar e • Medication Reminder s • Meal Pr epar ation • L ight Housekeeping • Companionship 166 East Street • Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-499-4562 or 1-800-649-4562 Visit us on the web : www.MOLARIinc.com Ser vices offered by MOLARI • L aundr y Ser vices • A ssist ance with Tr anspor t ation • Shopping and Err ands • Respite C ar e Home Instead® Care Professionals can provide the care needed to ensure your loved one returns home safely Each Home Instead® franchise is independently owned and operated. © 2022 Home Instead, Inc. PERSONAL CARE | TRANSPORTAT ION | MEALS & NUTRITION | MEMORY CARE Call (413) 442-0907 or visit HomeInstead.com/Berkshire
Elder Services’ Berkshire Senior , OctoberNovember 2022 16 DONATIONS Thank you for voting us B est in the B e rkshires!

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