Mystic Valley Elder Services Hosts Annual Legislative Breakfast

The following is a press release from the Mystic Valley Elder Services:

MALDEN, MA - On Tuesday, March 28th , Mystic Valley Elder Services hosted their annual legislative breakfast at their headquarters, located at 300 Commercial Street in Malden. Executive Director Dan O’Leary, was joined by legislative co-hosts Senator Sal DiDomenico and Representative Michael Day, as well as President of the Board of Directors Mary Prenney.

Representatives Christine Barber, Paul Brodeur, Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino and Donald Wong participated in the event, with staff from the offices of Senator Pat Jehlen, Senator Jason Lewis, and Representative Brad Jones. Local officials in attendance included Medford Mayor Stephanie Burke, and North Reading Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto.

“I participate in this event every year,” Senator DiDomenico said following the event. “Mystic Valley Elder Services has been a great help to my constituents. I have seen, firsthand, the benefits to individuals receiving home care services.”

“I was very happy to co-host this year’s program,” said Representative Michael Day. “This event is always a great opportunity to hear about the issues affecting older adults, adults living with disabilities and caregivers in our community. Now more than ever I believe it’s crucial that we continue to find ways to adequately fund critical home and community-based care services.”

Joining the speaking program this year, were three special guest speakers, Millie Cacicio of North Reading, Dr. Richard Balaban from Cambridge Health Alliance and North Reading’s Director of Elder Affairs, Mary Prenney. The program focused on the importance of Mystic Valley Elder Services’ partnerships- with individuals, with local councils on aging, as well as physicians and health care systems.

Millie Cacicio, a North Reading resident, served as a strong advocate for seniors and explained how she partnered with Mystic Valley Elder Services to avoid going into a nursing home. Millie, at 98- years-young, said she cherishes the ability to live independently in her own apartment and acknowledges that she is able to do so by accepting some assistance where needed. Millie shared with the audience that she once worked as a home care worker and now she benefits from some of the same services she previously provided to her own clients- help with dressing and personal care to get ready for the day, assistance with grocery shopping and transportation. By MassHealth standards, Millie is clinically considered “nursing home eligible” and without the services she receives from Mystic Valley Elder Services Millie’s only option would be nursing home care. Instead, she is living comfortably at home, where she enjoys extended visits with her children, grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Under the state’s home care program, individuals who are “nursing home eligible” according to MassHealth’s standards can instead choose to remain living at home and receive supportive services. “It’s not only the right thing to do by the individual; it’s the right thing to do financially. Keeping people healthy and independent reduces the burden on the state’s MassHealth system by avoiding costly nursing home stays,” noted O’Leary.

Dr. Richard Balaban, Medical Director of Care Integration for Cambridge Health Alliance, talked about the important partnership that the hospital has with Mystic Valley Elder Services. Dr. Balaban explained that he has witnessed many changes in the delivery of health care services over the years.

He noted, “Years ago, if an individual was hospitalized for an illness, the hospital stay might range from 7-10 days. Now, due to changes in the overall health care system, that same hospital stay would only last about four days. This means that a good portion of the patient’s recuperating time must occur at home.” By partnering with Mystic Valley Elder Services, Dr. Balaban and the hospital’s medical team work with Mystic Valley Elder Services’ Community Care Coordinators to ease patients’ transition home from the hospital. The Community Care Coordinators evaluate an individual patient’s needs and may order medical equipment to allow the patient to shower safely, coordinate transportation for critical follow-up appointments, and arrange Meals on Wheels and other home care services if necessary. This important partnership has reduced unnecessary, and expensive, hospital readmissions.

Mary Prenney, Director of Elder Affairs for the Town of North Reading, and also the current President of the Mystic Valley Elder Services Board of Directors, wrapped up the speaking program. Ms. Prenney described the importance of Mystic Valley Elder Services to local Councils on Aging, “I interact with staff from Mystic Valley Elder Services on a daily basis. Whether it’s Meals on Wheels drivers, the meal site coordinator who serves lunch at the senior center or the Protective Services staff members who handle crisis situations, this partnership is critical to the lives of North Reading seniors.” In addition to her professional experience, Mary shared her personal experience with home care as well. Many years ago, Mary’s mother, after suffering a fall, received limited home care services and ultimately ended up in a nursing facility. “In my mother’s case, I wish I knew then what I know now about home care. Had I known, maybe I would have been able to keep my mother out of nursing home, living either on her own or with my family. This is why I’m so passionate about connecting people to services.”

Concluding the program, Mr. O’Leary thanked those in attendance, “We host this program once a year to inform our legislators about the impact of the state’s home care programs, but we also use the opportunity to thank them for their continued support. Each year, they have demonstrated strong support for the people we serve- older adults, adults living with disabilities and their caregivers.”

Photos

1. Left to right: Representative Paul Donato; Representative Steve Ultrino; co-host Representative Michael Day; Representative Christine Barber; guest speaker Dr. Richard Balaban of Cambridge Health Alliance; Representative Donald Wong; Representative Paul Brodeur
2. Mystic Valley Executive Director Dan O’Leary interviewing senior advocate Millie Cacicio