Have you thought about being a CASA Volunteer?

Mature, wise volunteers needed to advocate for abused and neglected children in the Worcester County Juvenile Court. If you can spare 2 -10 hours per month, you can help a child to find a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.

Established in 1981, the CASA Project is a unique public/private partnership between the courts, a not-for-profit agency, and community volunteers. The CASA Project recruits, screens, trains and supervises volunteers who serve as advocates (guardians ad litem) for children who are brought before the court as subjects of child abuse or neglect petitions. The volunteer became an official part of the judicial hearing, working alongside other professionals in these matters. Unlike others, however, the CASA volunteer represents one child or sibling group at a time and speaks exclusively for the child’s best interests. They perform three basic functions:

• to serve as a fact finder for the judge by researching the background of the case
• to advocate for the child in the courtroom, and the child welfare system
• to act as a monitor for the child throughout the life of the case

If you are interested, please call Liz at (508) 757-9877 ext. 11 for additional information or look up www.casaworcestercounty.org

Annual Multidisciplinary Conference - A MAP THROUGH THE MAZE
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at the Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA

You are invited to submit a proposal for a poster presentation at “A Map Through the Maze”. Posters provide a means for simultaneous presentation and discussion of a variety of topics between conference attendees. Presenters display their topic information and can engage in individual or group discussion. We consider the poster session an important educational aspect of the conference and would encourage all that are interested to apply. A list of all poster presentations, their presenter(s) and contact information will be included in every conference packet. Presenters are not required to attend the conference and there is no reduction in the conference registration fee for poster presenters. Approximately 700 attend the conference, making it an excellent opportunity to share your innovative project with others in the field. Please be aware that this session is intended for projects only; for marketing a service or program please consider a table at the Exhibitor Fair.

Poster Display Time: 12:45 to 2:00 PM during lunch. (Note new time.)
Set Up: Table space is pre-assigned and set up can begin no earlier than 12:15 and must be completed by 12:35 PM. Table Configuration: A 6-foot, simply draped table is provided for each poster presentation – the poster and display materials must be free standing.
Equipment: Presenter provides all equipment; the hotel provides electrical outlets upon advance request.

TOPIC AREAS:
Presentations should address one of the following categories:

• Education/Training - new or unique training or educational projects, unusual methods for outreach or education
• Research - research to improve care, examine environmental factors, test behavioral interventions, evaluate medications, etc.
• Practice - new or unique methods or techniques found to be effective with people with dementia or their families, such as those involving activities, communication, personal care, etc.

POSTER PRESENTATION INFORMATION
Please type or print clearly.

Title of Poster Presentation ___________________________________________________________________________
Presenter(s) _______________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Name (if different)___________________________ Agency _________________________________________
Mailing Address ___________________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________________ State __________ Zip ___________________________
Daytime Phone (______) ____________________________________________________________________________
Email___________________________________

Category (check one): Education/Training  Research  Practice 
Check here if electrical outlet is needed  (no charge to presenter)
Box lunch? ____ no ___ yes, number of lunches ______ (maximum 2)

Enclose: a brief description of the presentation and a short biography of presenter(s).
Send to: Alzheimer's Association (Poster Presentation), 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472, fax to 617.868.6720 or email to nancy.nichols@alz.org. Questions? Call 617.868.6718. Please help us with outreach for the poster session by emailing or giving it to others.

14 October, 2004
West Boylston, MA

Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging (CMAA) is pleased to announce that Ashdown Technologies, Inc. (www.AshdownTech.com), SeniorConnection.org web manager and host, has offered to temporarily underwrite an expanded Connection for Caregivers. This generous offer came as CMAA was prepared to downsize the website due to lack of funding. According to a statement from Ashdown,

"Ashdown Technologies, Inc. is a web design and hosting company that has been working closely with CMAA since 1998. The Connection for Caregivers website, including it’s interactive components, was developed with personnel from both organizations working hand-in-hand to offer a unique tool that met the needs of caregivers and the people they so courageously support.

Because of the effort and time invested in this project, we were very sad when we learned earlier this year that funding had run out for the site. Knowing the unique benefits of the site and not wanting to see it disappear, we began discussing how we could help. We quickly decided that offering our capabilities at no-charge was the right thing to do. To that end, as of September 1st, Ashdown Technologies began donating the necessary Internet services to keep the Connection for Caregivers website moving forward in its entirety. It is our great pleasure to be able to help CMAA and the community that they serve so well."

The Board and Staff of Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging would like to thank Ashdown Technologies, Inc. for its generous support of this important effort to educate and assist caregivers of elders.

Your help, however, is still needed to keep the Connection for Caregivers going. For more information on how you can help, go to www.SeniorConnection.org, or call Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging at 508-852-5539V/TDD or 1-800-244-3032V/TDD.

If You’re Helping to Provide Care for a Loved One, You’re Not Alone
The American Red Cross Family Caregiving Program Can Help

If you’re helping to provide care for a parent, spouse or friend, you know that ensuring a safe environment and providing even the most basic care can be overwhelming. Learn how to provide the best care you can with the Family Caregiving Program from the American Red Cross.

The material covered includes:

• Home Safety
• General Caregiving Skills
• Positioning and Helping Your Loved One Move
• Assisting with Personal Care
• Healthy Eating
• Caring for the Caregiver
• Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia
• Learning protection from infectious disease

In this four hour course students will learn basic care giving skills, as well as how to reduce stress and balance the demands of work and home. The course text book is tabbed to allow quick and easy access to critical information, and includes charts for recording vital signs and medications, as well as a tri-fold Emergency Contact Card to keep with a loved one in case of an emergency. In addition, the 2 hour companion DVD will help caregivers master the skills presented by healthcare professionals.

For more information on Family Caregiving Training,
contact Melinda Napolitano at the
American Red Cross
of Central Massachusetts
508-595-3719
or email NapolitanoMe@usa.redcross.org

The MA Department of Telecommunications and Cable has issued a notice regarding the upcoming conversion from analog to digital television. Elder consumers are a large audience that may be affected by this change.

At midnight on June 12, 2009, full power broadcast stations will be required to stop broadcasting in analog format. Digital TV will replace the analog system. There are several ways to prepare for this:

• Buy a new TV that has a built-in ATSC tuner.
• Buy a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box.
• Subscribe to a Cable TV or Satellite TV service.

To help curb the cost impact for analog TV owners, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce developed a converter box program to allow analog TV owners to request coupons towards the purchase of a digital-to-analog converter box.

The coupons will be available from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. All households that own a TV using over-the-air analog reception are eligible. Coupons, which will look like plastic gift cards, will be redeemable through local electronic stores.

Households may request two $40 coupons toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes beginning by calling 888-DTV-2009, (1-888-388-2009) or on-line at www.DTV2009.gov, which also provides answers to frequently asked questions.

Coupons will be forwarded via U.S. mail.

Direct deposit is the best way to get your Social Security and other federal benefit payments. Direct deposit offers:

• One less thing to worry about because it is the safest way for you to receive your money
• An easier and more convenient way to access your money
• More control over your money and your time because it is predictable and dependable

SIGN UP HERE GO DIRECT

The Medicare program has never been more complex. Seniors and disabled people on Medicare need assistance understanding the many and complex options they have available to them. The need for trained individuals to educate and provide unbiased information has never been greater.

Through an intensive training program, SHINE (Serving Health Information Need of Elders) Counselors become certified to explain health insurance options and protect consumers' rights. They work one-on-one with seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries to educate, answer questions, solve problems, and screen for low-income health programs. SHINE Counselors also attend monthly meetings where they receive on-going training, support, and opportunities to share their experiences and concerns with other counselors.

SHINE Counselors are expected to volunteer an average of 4 hours per week meeting with clients and doing necessary follow-up work. They generally counsel in Senior Centers or other public settings that have a private meeting space. Some computer experience is necessary.

SHINE Counselors are bright and dedicated individuals who are truly making a difference in many people’s lives. This is a unique and wonderful volunteer opportunity for the right person. Please consider joining our dedicated team of professionals and volunteers.

The next SHINE training will begin in February and take place two days per week over a five-week period in Natick, Mass. For more information or an application to become a SHINE Counselor, call Ed Roth, Central Region SHINE Director at 508-422-9931.

Bilingual, bicultural and minority individuals are encouraged to apply.

SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) is sponsored by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with the Friends of the Milford Senior Center, Massachusetts Councils on Aging and other local agencies.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Massachusetts State Plan on Aging, 2006 – 2009

As the lead agency in Massachusetts for the advancement of elders and the programs and services that address this population, Elder Affairs is responsible for developing a State Plan on Aging. The Massachusetts State Plan on Aging (State Plan) is prepared every four years for submission to the Administration on Aging. The Plan addresses Elder Affairs role as the leader relative to aging issues on behalf of all older individuals in Massachusetts. Elder Affairs role as the focal point for developing and managing programs and services for Massachusetts’ elders places the office in a position to address the current service demand as well as the burgeoning call for services that are inevitable as the Baby Boomer generation begins to call for services. Elder Affairs is responsible for executing a wide-range of functions designed to support and assist older persons in leading independent, meaningful and dignified lives in their own homes and communities as long as possible.

To read this plan in its entirety, please click here Massachusetts State Plan on Aging, 2006 – 2009

Seniors and their families with access to the internet can now “send a message” to their elected officials with just a click of the mouse.

Mass Home Care, a statewide network of “Age Info Centers”, has made it easier than ever for seniors to express their opinions. It’s called the “Elder E-Lert” system, and it’s a free way to pass a message along to a State lawmaker or the Governor, and other government officials. Here’s how it works:

1. Go to MASS Home Care
2. Click on the “E-Lert” picture on the right side of the screen.
3. Following the easy 4-step process for sending an email.

Mass Home Care posts “E-lert” advocacy messages from which people can choose. Each message is on an issue facing the elderly community. Messages can be sent “as is”, or edited and tailored to meet the needs of the sender. E-lert provides a list of 215 email addresses for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Representatives and State Senators, appointed state officials, U.S. Senators and Representatives.” A message can be sent to one or more recipients with a single click. Mass Home Care describes the system as “Instant Democracy”

According to Mass Home Care Executive Director Al Norman, “E-lert” was designed to allow seniors to craft their own unique message on important issues like the cost of medicines, the need for home care, and other public policy issues. “Our goal is very simple: to bring more people into the circle of government, and to help people use their First Amendment right to petition government.”