Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 5, 2019 Mystic Valley Elder Services hosts annual Legislative Briefi ng Legislative priorities relating to older adults hot topics of discussion ystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) recently hosted its annual legislative briefi ng at its M Visit Our Newly Expanded Facility. We will beat competitors pricing! (Restrictions apply.) 222 Central St. Saugus, MA 01906 (Next to Saugus Iron Works) 781-231-5990 2FREE ND MONTH on 10x10 units No administration fees. 200 new units available. New Customer Specials Offer valid at 222 Central Storage. Must present coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 6/12/19. www.222centralstorage.com FREE with Rental LOCK headquarters (300 Commercial St. in Malden). MVES Board President Kathleen Beaulieu and Chief Executive Officer Daniel O’Leary were joined by legislative cohosts State Senator Patricia Jehlen and State Representative Christine Barber to speak to a standingroom-only crowd of local legislators, town offi cials and MVES board members and staff . O’Leary and the legislators addressed three priority legislative bills that affect older people: the “Enough Pay to Stay” initiative to increase funding for the direct home care workforce; the expansion of the home care program to more eff ectively address behavioral and mental health issues; and the push for an extension of the home care “midMVES annual Legislative Briefi ng: from right to left are State Representatives Paul Brodeur, Joseph McGonagle, Michael Day, Donald Wong and RoseLee Vincent, State Senators Patricia Jehlen, Sal DiDomenico and Jason Lewis and Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) CEO Daniel O’Leary. (Courtesy Photos) dle income” pilot program. He also outlined budget priorities for fi scal year 2020, which include supporting Supplespoke on the passion she has for her job and her clients but also explained the challenges she faces, such as low wages, • • • Shown from right to left are State Senator Sal DiDomenico, MVES Board of Directors Members Carolyn Lightburn, Jon Norton and Dorothy Martin-Long, and State Representative Joseph McGonagle. mental Budget Language for Home Care Network Technology Trust, supporting Funding for the Elderly Nutrition Program, including Meals on Wheels and Congregate Dining, and expanding Funding for Elder Supportive Housing. State Senators Jason Lewis and Sal DiDomenico and State Representatives Paul Brodeur, Michael Day, Paul Donato, Joseph McGonagle, RoseLee Vincent and Donald Wong participated in the event along with staff from the offi ces of State Senator Bruce Tarr and State Representatives Bradley Jones and Stephen Ultrino. Medford Mayor Stephanie Burke, Melrose Mayor Gail Infurna, Chelsea City Manager Thomas Ambrosino and North Reading Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto also attended. Joining the program this year were two special guest speakers: Lionette Jasmin, a resident of Everett and home health aide with Associated Home Care; and MVES client Carole Nolan, from Malden. Jasmin, who has been a home health aide for 30 years, long hours and lack of training. She cares deeply for the well-being of her clients but needs to work two jobs and long hours seven days a week to try to make ends meet. The fi nancial burden Jasmin faces creates a lot of stress. Jasmin has noticed that the burden of care for home health aides has demonstrably increased over the years. “Reliance on home health aides is growing, and there seems to be little progress on improving wages, training or career prospects,” she said. Nolan, the second guest speaker, shared her inspirational story. Nolan has lived in the same apartment for 27 years and is grateful to still live independently in the community she loves. Some years ago, she suff ered from an acute attack of depression, which resulted in her being in bed for three weeks. Concerned about her onset of depression, Nolan approached the MVES Residential Services Coordinator (RSC) at her building. Realizing Nolan’s diffi culty, the RSC referred her to Amy Foreman, a Reserve your unit NOW!
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