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. 
Hold The Date – March Against Elder Abuse
June 15 in Brockton and June 22 in Plymouth
The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. In almost 60% of the cases, the perpetrator is a family member. Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who have not been mistreated.
According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, “In fiscal year 2015, 24,978 elder abuse reports were received and there were 7,117 newly confirmed allegations of elder abuse. These numbers represent an increase of 37% of the total number of elder abuse reports and a 57% increase in confirmed allegations compared to FY 2011.”
June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and OCES will be leading two marches with members from our local Councils on Aging (COA) and other dedicated citizens on June 15 in Brockton and June 22 in Plymouth. 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.
Once again this year, OCES is proud to join the coalition of Old Colony YMCA and more than 40 other area organizations to support “Brockton Knocks Down Diabetes” (BKDD) week, June 17-23, 2017.
BKDD is a weeklong event dedicated to raising diabetes awareness through workshops, seminars and events.
We invite the community to join us as we kick off BKDD week by participating in the Leo MacNeil Family Fun Walk on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Massasoit Community College, 1 Massasoit Boulevard in Brockton.
Following the walk on Saturday morning, OCES will share information about their Nutrition and Healthy Living programs with visitors to their booth at Signature Healthcare’s Health & Wellness Expo, held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Student Center of Massasoit Community College in Brockton. This is a free event offering fitness, cooking demonstrations, local vendors, raffles and screenings. 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.
World Elder Abuse Awareness
The United Nations (UN) has designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). The goal on this day is to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional/psychological, and financial abuse of elders. Research has shown that elder abuse, neglect, violence, and financial exploitation is one of the biggest issues facing senior citizens around the world. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans, aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities. Read more.
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.