Our two largest programs are Nutrition/Meals on Wheels and Home Care. During the past year the number of seniors served in each of these programs has continued to grow. In August the combined number served by our core Home Care programs (State Home Care, Enhanced Community Options, and Community Choices) grew to 1,121 seniors, which is the highest level in at least ten years. Our previous high during the past 10 years was the 1,072 seniors served by these core Home Care programs in January 2002. This was just as the impact of the revenue shortfalls which precipitated the state budget crisis of 2002 began to be fully realized. The resultant reduced funding meant we had to limit the number of eligible seniors we could serve, which led to waiting lists for the remainder of 2002 and beyond.
We are pleased to report that there have been no waiting lists for the past few years and that the number of seniors served by the Home Care programs has been growing steadily. The Home Care programs offer in-home services to eligible Berkshire elders, including, but not limited to, assistance with personal care needs (getting dressed and ready for the day) and homemaking (assistance with housecleaning, laundry, and meal
While our core Home Care programs have continued to grow, so has Meals on Wheels. Last year, our Lanesboro kitchen prepared over 259,627 meals. Over 208,000 of these meals were delivered directly to the homes of frail elders, while the remainder were served to seniors who attend the 14 lunch sites located throughout the county. Meals on Wheels drivers traveled 224,000 miles this past year, covering all of Berkshire County.
A “snapshot” of those served by our Home Care programs this past month shows that more than 75% (816 of the 1085) are age 75 or older, including 150 individuals who are age 90 and over, with three over 100. The great majority, 80% (878 of 1085) are female, 63% are widowed, while 14% are married. With regard to living situations, 70% (761 of 1,085) live alone, 13% live with a spouse, 15% with other family members, and the remainder lives with non-family members. Over 36% live in their own homes, 23% live in Housing Authority units, and 17.5% live in some other form of subsidized housing. The “typical” person served by our Home Care programs is between 75 and 90 years old, female, widowed, and living alone. We at ElderServices are committed to helping these individuals, and all elders, to continue to live at home with dignity and independence.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services
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