Neighbor News
Old Colony Elder Services Announces Availability at Marshfield Congregate Housing Site
OCES is the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County.
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) has announced that there are vacancies at Grace Ryder Housing, the Marshfield Congregate Housing site for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Throughout Massachusetts, there are over 40 congregate housing sites. OCES, the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, currently sponsors congregate housing sites at Grace Ryder Housing in Marshfield, Heritage Circle in Bridgewater, and the A. Silva House in Stoughton.
"The option of congregate living enables a person to enjoy affordable housing, independent living with supportive services, and companionship – with the option of closing the door and enjoying private space," explained LeNay Harper, OCES' Community Programs Manager responsible for the supervision, and oversight of all of OCES’ housing programs. "The availability of congregate housing aligns with OCES' mission to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.”
According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, “Congregate Housing is a shared living environment designed to integrate the housing and service needs of elders and younger disabled individuals. The goal of Congregate Housing is to increase self-sufficiency through the provision of supportive services in a residential setting. Throughout the state there are many variations in size and design, but in all Congregate Housing sites residents must have a private bedroom, and shared access to one or more of the following: kitchen facilities, dining facilities, and/or bathing facilities."
OCES has a Congregate Housing Coordinator at each site who develops individual service plans based on each resident’s needs. Although 24-hour supervision is not offered at these sites, the Coordinator ensures that appropriate services are made available to support residents so they can live as independently as possible in the community. The Coordinator is also responsible for resolving any concerns or conflicts among the residents.
Applications for the Marshfield Congregate Housing site may be obtained by contacting the Marshfield Housing Authority at (781) 834-4333. Applicants must meet eligibility guidelines, which include being 60 years of age or having a permanent disability, and meeting financial eligibility requirements.
For more information about Congregate Housing, contact Richard Rodrigues, Congregate Housing Coordinator at OCES, at (508) 584-1561 x395 or visit www.ocesma.org.
