Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, April 12, 2019 Mystic Valley Elder Services hosts annual Legislative Briefing Legislative priorities relating to older adults hot topics of discussion M ystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) recently hosted its annual legislative briefing at its 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 officials 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 effectively address behavioral and mental health issues; and the push for an extension of the home care “middle income” pilot program. He also outlined budget priorities for fiscal year 2020, which include supporting Supplemental 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 offices 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, spoke on the passion she has for her job and her clients but also explained the challenges she faces, such as low wages, 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 financial 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 J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. MVES annual Legislative Briefing: 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) 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. and is grateful to still live independently in the community she loves. Some years ago, she suffered from an acute atS LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping During Mystic Valley Elder Services’ annual Legislative Briefing, MVES CEO Daniel O’Leary and guest speaker Carole Nolan of Malden discussed the services Nolan receives from MVES. tack 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 difficulty, the RSC referred her to Amy Foreman, a clinical caseworker in the Clinical Programs Department at MVES. Foreman, with Nolan’s permission, enrolled her into the Mobile Mental Health program, a program in which clinical caseworkers provide outreach to older adults experiencing mental health conditions that impact their functioning and ability to meet life’s daily challenges. Since Nolan has been enrolled in the program, her bouts of depression have declined. Nolan really likes that her counselor comes to her home once a week as part of the program. “It is much better now MVES | SEE PAGE 12
11 Publizr Home