Process to report Elder Abuse is changing!
Effective June 30!
Please read this important message to find out more. Anyone can report elder abuse. If you are concerned about an older adult (age 60 or older), and have reason to believe he/she is a victim of elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect or financial exploitation call the Massachusetts-based Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275. Every community in Massachusetts is covered by a local Protective Service Agency, such as OCES. All reports will be referred to and handled by the designated Protective Service Agency. The agency will determine if an investigation is warranted and if so investigate the situation and determine the best course of action to alleviate the risk. All calls are confidential. Read more. 
March Against Elder Abuse
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) organized two marches this year to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Over 100 participants joined OCES and the Brockton Council on Aging in a march on Thursday, June 15. The following week, on June 22, over 75 concerned citizens joined OCES and the Plymouth Center for Active Living and marched along the Plymouth waterfront. The marches were organized to bring awareness to the issues of elder abuse and neglect. READ MORE
Elder Abuse Awareness Banners Raised
As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness month, on Thursday, June 1, 2017 the OCES team joined with Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter and Plymouth County District Attorney (DA) Timothy Cruz to raise eight banners on the light poles on the Main Street block where our Brockton headquarters is located.
The banners are designed to raise awareness of the impact that elder abuse has on our community, and to remind citizens that OCES provides services to investigate and intervene when abuse or neglect is suspected. OCES will be hosting our annual March Against Elder Abuse in Brockton on June 15 and in Plymouth on June 22. Read more.
OCES Receives Awards
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” is a quote from Helen Keller that describes the mission of Community Services of Greater Brockton. This interagency organization, established in 1975, promotes communication and cooperation between human services providers and professionals in the Greater Brockton area.
At their Annual Award Dinner on June 7, 2017, OCES was delighted to receive a number of awards acknowledging the work that we do in our community and for our consumers. Sandy Ivers, Lynn Smith, and our Senior Care Options Program were among the night’s awardees. Read more. 
Selfie With Sid Photo Contest! To learn more, click here.
Summer Safety
Summer is the season for relaxing, having fun and spending time with your family and friends. However, summer can bring extreme heat, increased risk of dehydration, foodborne illness and other health risks. Recognizing these risks and taking preventative steps will allow you to enjoy your summer. For a few some summer safety tips, click here.
SHINE Needs Your Help!
The SHINE program has been able to help thousands of Medicare beneficiaries in your area since 1988. Perhaps you have been one of the many we have helped, and have seen firsthand just how valuable the program is. It is unfortunate that budget cuts have put the funding for the SHINE program (known nationally as SHIP) in jeopardy. It is a real possibility that the program will no longer be funded in the near future and the SHINE program will cease to exist. The SHINE program needs your voice. Read more.