Join Bristol Elder Services and
THE MAKEM & SPAIN BROTHERS
for An Afternoon of Irish Music
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Concert beings at 3:00 p.m.
Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
Bristol Community College
Jackson Arts Center
777 Elsbree Street
Fall River, MA
Tickets: $25 each
$20 each for groups of 10 or more
To purchase tickets mail a check made out to Bristol Elder Services and a self addressed, stamped envelope to:
Bristol Elder Services
Attention Makem Concert
1 Father DeValles Blvd., Unit 8
Fall River, MA 02723
For more information contact Bristol Elder Services at 508-675-2101.
This event is sponsored by BankFive and Senior Whole Health. All proceeds support elders in the greater Attleboro, Fall River, and Taunton areas in times of crisis through the Bristol Elder Services Emergency Assistance Fund.
Preparing for Winter Weather
A winter storm in New England can range from a moderate snowfall over a few hours to a chilling Nor'easter, bringing blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow that lasts several days. People can become stranded in their automobiles or trapped at home, without utilities or other services. The aftermath of a winter storm can have an impact on a community or the entire region for days, weeks or even months. Storm effects, in New England, include large snow accumulation, extremely cold temperatures, heavy, wet snow or icing on trees and power lines, roof collapses, coastal flooding and beach erosion.
Winter storms are also deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the actual storm. The major causes are automobile or other transportation accidents, exhaustion and heart attacks caused by overexertion, 'freezing to death' and asphyxiation from improper heating sources. House fires occur more frequently in the winter due to lack of proper safety precautions when using alternate heating sources, like unattended fires and space heaters.
"As with most potential disasters, preparedness, monitoring the Media and common sense can minimize the danger to you and your family," states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Don Boyce. "That is why MEMA is sharing important winter safety information through the Media and the MEMA website over the next few weeks."
Areas to be covered will include the proper steps to take to prepare your family and home for the winter season, automobile and driving safety, ice safety, protecting your pets, responding to power outages, extreme temperatures, roof collapse and recovering from a winter storm.
Those who already have an All-Hazard Emergency Supply Kit, as MEMA continues to recommend, are ahead of the curve. However, it is important to check your kit, to ensure it is properly stocked with enough supplies to survive on your own for at least three to five days. Now is also the time to review for Family Communication Plan.
WINTER EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
•Flashlight and extra batteries
•Portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries
•Charged cell phone
•First-aid kit
•Essential prescription medicines
•Non-perishable Food
•Manual can opener
•Water (one gallon per person/per day)
•Extra blankets and sleeping bags
•Fire extinguisher
FAMILY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Develop a 'Family Emergency Communication Plan' in case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), and have a plan for getting back together.
•Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the 'family contact'. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance than across town. Also, calling outside the area will probably be easier than calling into a disaster area
•Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the contact person.
•Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section of town. Decide on an alternate meeting area for family members.
•Be aware of the location your community's potential emergency shelters and possible evacuation routes.
These steps can help reassure everyone's safety and minimize the stress associated with emergencies.
For more information, visit the MEMA website at
www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema
Bristol Launches 2011 Annual Appeal
Make a Donation Online Today
Dear Friend of Bristol Elder Services:
Bristol Elder Services, Inc. (Bristol) is conducting an annual appeal to raise funds to support the many programs we offer to elders, disabled individuals, and their caregivers in the greater Fall River, Taunton, and Attleboro areas.
Bristol provides information and referral to individuals who wish to remain independent by living in their own homes.
Long-term, community-based services such as personal care, day care, meals, and homemaking are a few of the many options offered by Bristol that aid in independent living.
Counseling, shelter, legal services, and relief funds are available to elders in crisis. Ombudsman volunteers visit nursing and rest homes and act as advocates for their residents.
Seminars and support groups for caregivers of elders and elders who are raising grandchildren are conducted throughout the community by our staff.
An estimated 65 million family members provide care for a loved one each year in this country.
Bristol is designated by the Commonwealth as the provider of the National Family Caregiver Support Program in 15 Southeastern Massachusetts communities.
This program reaches out to caregivers and provides:
Information about available services
Assistance in gaining access to services
Support groups and caregiver training
Respite care
Spouses and adult children are often primary caregivers.
Relatives are familiar with medical needs and are in the best position to ensure continuity of care.
Bristol understands how daunting it can be to care for a family member or aging relative.
The agency has provided help to over 500 caregivers with setting up services, providing support, and helping caregivers build support networks for themselves.
support that allows caregivers to purchase items such as wander alert bracelets, grab bars for showers and tubs, and travel wheelchairs is also available through Bristol.
When Mrs. M's husband was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease and could no longer work, Mrs. M assumed sole responsibility for the family.
Her four school aged children were trying to care for their father while Mrs. M worked.
Bristol helped Mrs. M enroll her husband in an adult day health program which provided him with the supervision he needed and freed the children from this task.
When her stove broke down, Bristol provided Mrs. M with the money to replace it.
Bristol receives state and federal funds to support some of our programs.
However, the funding is never enough to meet the needs of the people who look to Bristol for help.
We hope you will consider a tax-deductible gift of $50, $100, $200 or more to help us fund critical services for vulnerable seniors.
You may donate online by clicking the donate button to the left, or you may send a check to our office.
Please join us to ensure that the resources to support caregivers and elders in need are available.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Frederick J. Rocco, PhD
Board of Directors Chairperson
Bristol Elder Services, Inc.
Bristol Earns Grant from Banfield Charitable Trust
Bristol Elder Services was recently awarded a grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust to help Bristol continue the work of distributing dog and cat food to low income elders who are having a difficult time feeding companion animals. Thank you to Banfield for helping Bristol continue this important work.
Bristol Elder Services, Inc.
1 Father DeValles Boulevard Unit 8
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Fall River, MA 02723
