Neighbor News
Old Colony Elder Services Establishes Employee Wellness Program
OCES is a non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County.
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, has recently unveiled a new Employee Wellness Program.
OCES is committed to providing programs and services to the community to promote healthy living, and that community includes their own dedicated staff. Through their Employee Wellness Program, the agency has kicked off two new components for staff - Nutrition Coaching and Family Caregiver Support Counseling.
Barbara Nalen-Cardosa, a Registered Dietician and OCES' Nutritionist, oversees Nutrition Coaching. She will assist employees who are seeking weight management guidance, or who are adjusting their diet to better manage health conditions. Ms. Nalen-Cardosa consults with each employee, creates a personalized three-day food diary, and establishes individual goals. One of the options offered is a walking nutrition session.
Rochelle Sugarman, Outreach and Education Specialist in OCES' Healthy Living Department, provides Family Caregiver Support Counseling. She assists employees in finding resources that will help them care for a family member or friend such as an older adult, a younger adult with disabilities, or a grandchild.
An employee's initial Nutrition Coaching or Family Caregiver Support Counseling session lasts approximately 30 minutes and follow-up consultations are arranged to meet each individual's need. There is no cost associated with the Employee Wellness Program or any of its components, and confidentiality is ensured.
OCES intends to expand the Employee Wellness Program and is in the process of establishing a committee of seven employees to implement additional components. The agency will be adding new wellness modules based on the results of a confidential employee survey designed to determine need.
“This is just the beginning," said Christine McLaren, Community Programs Director. "In September, we will survey all of our 235 employees and based on those results we will expand the Employee Wellness Program to fit their most pressing concerns.”
For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.
