Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023 Revere legislators address urgent homecare issues at MVES event MVES Legislative Breakfast features lawmakers, mayors from around the region T he annual Legislative Breakfast of Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) focused on budget and policy while putting a human face on homecare issues. Dozens of legislators, mayors and community members gathered on March 28, 2023, at MVES’ headquarters in Malden. Speakers and attendees at the event included Massachusetts Legislature members Senator Jason Lewis (cohost), Representative Paul Donato (cohost) as well as Senators Sal DiDomenico and Pat Jehlen, Representatives Christine Barber, Michael Day, Richard Haggerty, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Joseph McGonagle; and Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. Key staff from the offices of Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Bradley Jones and RepresentaANGELO’S FULL SERVICE 1978-2023 Celebrating 45 Years in Business! Regular Unleaded $3.199 Mid Unleaded $3.899 Super $3.949 Diesel Fuel $3.999 Heating Oil at the Pump $4.759 $3.499 DEF HEATING OI 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS Sun. 9AM-5PM M B 1 orwood St., Everett, MA 021 9 A L PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE FAMILY LAW GENERAL PRACTICE PERSONAL BANRUPTCY CIVIL LITIGATION P one 617 387- 900 a 617 381-1755 WWW.MACEYBROWNLAW.COM John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq. Pictured from left to right: Representative Michael Day, Representative Joseph McGonagle, Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur, MVES CEO Lisa Gurgone, Representative Christine Barber, Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Sen. Jason Lewis and Representative Richard Haggerty at Mystic Valley Elder Services’ Legislative Breakfast. tive Steve Ultrino were also in attendance. These elected officials were joined by MVES Board members, MVES staff and stakeholders from community programs across the region. Representative Donato explained that he had two reasons for speaking: to urge his fellow lawmakers to support the legislative agenda laid out by MVES and to thank MVES for its efforts. “The real workers, the ones who are in the trenches doing the daily, daily work for the seniors in the community,” he said. MVES CEO Lisa Gurgone highlighted three FY24 state budget priorities to fund critical programs that support older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers. The first request would provide $4.7 million in additional funding for statewide Elder Supportive Housing. MVES is an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) in Massachusetts that receives funding through the Elder Supportive Housing initiative to work in partnership with local housing authorities to embed Resident Service Coordinators within housing sites. “Our Resident Service Coordinator staff plan events and programming, and provide Case Management support. We also offer meals at those sites,” Gurgone explained. “It’s such a wonderful opportunity for residents to come together as a community and access services that help them to age in place.” The lawmakers heard an example of this program in action from Larry Pruitt, who lives at a Malden Housing Authority building. Pruitt explained how MVES staff help him coordinate transportation to medical appointments and he also receives Meals on Wheels twice a week. He relishes the sense of community that MVES programs bring to the building. “It’s been such a joy living in Malden and taking advantage of Mystic Valley. They’ve been so much help,” Pruitt said. Vincent Cali described his experience working with MVES to ensure care for his father, Frank, a 98-year-old Malden resident. From meals to home care aides to social programs, Cali said, these programs have made it possible for his father to remain living in his apartment – and remain there happily. He especially praised the Resident Service Coordinator from MVES embedded at the building. “Every time we ran into a situation, I would call her, and she would go above and beyond to take care of it, making sure he had the people in place, the services that he needs,” Cali said. As for the second budget priority, Gurgone urged lawmakers to support a request to add $3 million to the state budget to support the Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) Benefits Counseling Program, which helps people navigate their healthcare options, including Medicare. Understanding available healthcare options is often confusing and stressful for consumers. The SHINE program helps older adults understand their health insurance options and enroll in the coverage that benefits them the most. The third budget request would add $3 million to support the state’s Elder Nutrition Program, which enables agencies like MVES to provide over 700,000 meals each year to individuals in need. Gurgone stated that while the COVID pandemic drew attention to this program, home-delivered meals have always been and continue to be an essential service for older MVES | SEE Page 3 Prices subject to change DIESEL TRUCK STOP FLEET
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