“When Mom got sick, I was so overwhelmed managing her care, filling out paperwork and trying to be there for her. Thankfully, HospiceCare in The Berkshires was there to make everything easier. They provided compassionate care that supported a quality of life for Mom.”
Offering compassion to our community:
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Symptom management
• Integrative therapies
• Home health aides
• Meaningful end-of-life care
• Bereavement counseling
Mission Statement
The mission of Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. is to provide Berkshire elders, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and self-determination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
Statement of Inclusivity
Elder Services practices non-discrimination in employment practices and service delivery. Embracing diversity, our in-home and community-based services are available to all without regard to race, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or lifestyle.
FY25 State Budget Deficits Put State Home Care Program at Risk
By Christopher McLaughlin, Executive Director of Elder Services
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LinkedIn: Elder Services of Berkshire County
Berkshire Senior
Editorial Board: Deb Aldrich-Jegtvig, Laura Feakes, Christopher McLaughlin, Kathleen Phillips, Susan Guerrero, Kara Graziola and Peter Olsen.
Advertising: To place an advertisement in Berkshire Senior, please contact Kate Teutsch at (413) 496-6324 or e-mail advertising@berkshireeagle.com.
Berkshire Senior is published bi-monthly by Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc., 73 South Church Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242, e-mail: esbc@esbci.org or on the internet at www.esbci.org.
NOTICE
Berkshire Senior advertising helps to the defray the costs of producing the newspaper. Inclusion of advertisers in no way implies that Elder Services endorses any product or service.
Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of Elder Services. For medical, financial or other advice, seek a qualified professional in the appropriate field.
Elder Services and its programs are funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA).
State and federal funds provided to Elder Services are limited. Elder Services welcomes charitable donations to help meet the growing needs of Berkshire seniors, and gratefully acknowledges all donations.
Elder Services is sounding the alarm about funding shortfalls in the FY25 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)
Massachusetts budget that threaten vital home care services for older adults. These services, ranging from homemaking, personal care, and complex care oversight by nurses, are essential for helping older adults live independently and safely in their homes, all while enhancing quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.
In Berkshire County, State Home Care services, Meals on Wheels and other programs help older adults live with dignity, independence, and improved quality of life while also saving the state money by delaying or preventing the need for more expensive nursing home care. The services provided through the State Home Care Program are integral to the county’s long-term care system, which increasingly relies on community-based care to meet the needs of an aging population.
The underfunding in the FY 25 State Budget results from the State’s projected State Home Care volume being significantly less than the level of growth the program is experiencing. Two key line items in the FY25 State budget are severely underfunded and are cause for great concern:
Line Item 9110-1630 (Elder Home Care Purchased Services), which funds the direct services provided to older adults in their homes, is expected to face a deficit of $35,218,056 in FY25, with no growth. If service utilization continues to increase as anticipated, this deficit will grow to $46,107,642.
Line Item 9110-1633 (Elder Home Care Case Management), which supports the case management services that ensure older adults receive appropriate and timely care, faces a deficit of $4,028,366 in FY25 with zero growth. Under an 8.0% growth scenario, the deficit could balloon to $8,622,226.
Berkshire County is the second oldest county in Massachusetts and one with a rapidly growing population of adults aged sixty and older. This trend is expected to continue as the baby boomer generation ages. While over one-third of State Home Care consumers are medically eligible for nursing home care, Elder Services’ home care vendors provide care in the home, typically at a fraction of the cost, saving money for both families and for the state, keeping older adults where they want to be: their homes.
Without supplemental funding, older adults across Berkshire County could face a wait list and reduced access to home care services,
continued on page 4
COVER PHOTO: Top Row, Joseph Kay, Joan Peters with Veronica Deome Bottom Row, John Kot, Katherine L and Margaret McGraw, Margery Kirchner
The Month of Love
by Susan Guerrero
February is the month designated for the holiday of love, namely, Valentine’s Day.
The 14th is a day for giving delicate and gorgeous red roses, accented with tiny white blossoms of baby’s breath, to a beloved someone. Chocolate is another immensely coveted gift for Valentine’s Day. Millions of pounds of this delicious confection are sold each February. Heart-shaped boxes that contain chocolates are wildly popular to give as gifts. Most sweethearts would be thrilled with such a sweet treat. Many people even save the empty heart-shaped and lace-covered boxes because they are so pretty to decorate with. The holiday is also a huge part of greeting card sales. Endless racks hold cards covered with flowers, ribbons, and hundreds of hearts in all colors and sizes.
Many lucky couples choose to get engaged on Valentine’s Day. After all, it is a day of love. Older people often know a thing or two about love. I asked several seniors what advice they would give a young person about love.
Donna Smith, a retired Pittsfield nurse said, “You are asking the cynic of the world? Love does not come easy. You’ve got to work at it. You’ve got to have patience, endurance and lots of unconditional love.”
“All I can say is take it slow,” Mary Macauley, a Pittsfield resident, said. “When we become adult, our ideology and perception change. Try the friend route first and you will have them forever.”
Robert Pollock, speaking after a class at the Lenox Community Center, said he’d advise a young person to “be careful.” “Don’t confuse love with infatuation,” he said and be sure to ask “Does it last?”
Christine Jordan, a retired elementary school teacher, said, “I know what I think real love is. It’s two people who understand
each other and who would go out of their way to do something for each other.” She added, “They would appreciate one another. They would also be kind to each other and to the world. It is important in a relationship to stay close in order to have romantic attraction.”
Bill Swann, a licensed clinical social worker, said he’d advise a younger person to “start with yourself.” “You have to begin with loving yourself,” he said. “If you don’t love you, how can you love someone else? Valentine’s Day begins with you.” He also noted that “Love casts out fear. Fear casts out love.”
Bernadette Unsworth, retired and living in Pittsfield, said love, in later years, does not stay the same as it was when “it’s fresh.” Love changes,” she noted. You grow together. There are some things you have to accept. Everybody has their faults. You have to get to know each other.” When changes come, they must be accepted. “It’s hard,” she noted. “Sometimes you have to hang on as that’s what you’ve got.” A widow but now, years later, in a relationship, Bernadette said it is hard to say what, exactly, love is. “It’s endurance,” she conjectured. “It can be sad and it can be happy.”
A happy memory for her, when her husband was alive, was a trip they took together to Ireland. Her late husband, Tom, wanted to research his genealogy. “I loved Ireland,” she said. There were pristine colors there, including neat houses in shades of green, pink, and many other colors.
“It was so clean there you could probably eat off the ground,” she said, remembering. Flowers were everywhere and not a speck of litter anywhere.
She and Tom went together into cemeteries, took rides in the beautiful countryside, and made happy memories.
The people of Ireland, she remembered, were kind and friendly, often inviting the
couple, complete strangers, into their houses as ways of welcoming them. Today, their travels to Ireland can be re-lived in picture albums Bernadette still keeps.
Memories are often all that are left to people who have lost their spouses. However, it’s usually joyful to remember the glory days of loving that person and all the special things once done as a couple. When one has loved another person profoundly, it makes a lasting difference in life, even after the partner has died.
The well-known English poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson, lived during the reign of Queen Victoria. He was the fourth of 12 children, (Google). He is famous for this quote, “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
It’s hard to fathom how many songs and poems have been written about love or how many movies have been made with the word “love” in their titles and as their main theme. One movie, from the 1950s, is “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.” It is the story of an American reporter
Budget Deficits
continued from page 3
leaving them at greater risk of hospitalization, nursing home placement, and avoidable health crises.
Underfunding home care services will not only affect older adults but will drive up healthcare costs for the state in the long run. Research consistently shows that community-based care is far more cost-effective than institutional care. Investing in home care services helps to maintain seniors’ health and independence while saving taxpayer dollars.
In mid-January, the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (EOAI),
(played by William Holden) who is in Hong Kong in 1949. He is covering the Chinese Civil War. Separated from his wife he falls in love with Dr. Han Suyin, (played by Jennifer Jones), a widow from mainland China. The love story in the movie is hard for many people to ever forget, no matter how many years have passed. There is a song by the same title as the movie. Some of the words tell about two lovers in one scene who are “on a high and windy hill.” The “two lovers kissed in the morning mist and the world stood still.”
The song concludes with a great tribute to love: “Then your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing. Yes, true love’s a many splendored thing.”
Love is, indeed, a many splendored thing so celebrate it to the hilt this Valentine’s Day. Actually, it might be a good idea to celebrate love every day of the year, rather than only on Valentine’s Day.
If not, at least there are always those heart-shaped boxes of chocolates to dip into.
formerly the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), announced the implementation of programmatic changes designed to slow the growth in State Home Care expenditures. EOAI stated that should supplemental funding become available, some of these programmatic changes will end.
We remain cautiously optimistic that EOAI’s programmatic changes and/ or the introduction of a supplemental budget will enable Elder Services to avoid managed intake and a wait list for services.
Until next time be good, be kind and be careful.
Everyone’s a Bit Irish
by Susan Guerrero
Most people know that everyone is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a safe bet to say lots of folks have also sung a verse or two of the song “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” The more than 100 year-old tune is described online as “a lighthearted song in tribute to Ireland.” Surprisingly, it is an American-Irish song written on U.S. soil rather than on the green grass fields of Ireland.
Chauncy Olcott and George Graff Jr. wrote the show tune in 1912. Ernest Ball set it to music for a Broadway production of “The Isle o’ Dreams.” The setting of that show was Ireland in 1799, according to the Internet Broadway Database.
Another popular tune known to thousands is “Too-Ra-Loo-RaLoo-Ral; That’s an Irish Lullaby.” It has probably been sung on the laps of countless grandparents to their grandchildren, according to comments made online of people fondly remembering their grandparents singing it to them. It’s another Irish-American song with a melancholy sound to it that was not composed in Ireland. Instead, it was written by the Irish American composer James Royce Shannon, a Michigan native. He wrote it for the Tin Pan Alley musical titled “Sameen Duh.” OrigInally written in 1913, the famed singer, Bing Crosby, brought it back into popularity in 1944. His single rendition of the song garnered more than a million copies, according to online sources (Wikipedia.)
A third popular relatively old Irish tune is “Danny Boy.” It has brought a tear to many an eye, especially when played at funerals. This song was written by an English lawyer, Frederic Weatherly, in 1910, according to CBS News online. The music his lyrics were set to was a bust. The composer’s sister-in-law, Margaret Weatherly, an Irish immigrant herself, suggested her brother-in-law put the lyrics into a very old Irish folk tune, “The Londonderry Aire.” Its
popularity then exploded. The touching sounds of the song could be heard at President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s funeral as well as at a farewell event for famed singer Elvis Presley. It has been noted that he apparently loved the song and said it was “written by angels.”
There are many interpretations of the song’s meaning, according to online sources. One of them is that it is a message from a parent whose son has gone off to war.
The song, while about loss, is also about being reunited.
Here are a couple of verses of the heart-tugging song:
“But if you come, and all the flowers are dying
And I am dead as dead I well may be
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an “ave” there for me.
And I will know tho soft you tread above me
And there my grave will richer, sweeter be
And you’ll bend down and tell me that you love me
And I will rest in peace until you come to me.
So this St. Patty’s Day, dress in something green and raise glasses in toasts to anything and everything Irish. It’s important to keep those Irish (and non-Irish) eyes smiling, even though it’s not a “morn in spring.”
Long live Ireland and everyone who is fully or even a tiny bit Irish.
Fuel Assistance Programs
by Laura Feakes
It’s not too late to apply for help paying your heating bills!
Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC, www. bcacinc.org) is the local agency that administers the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), known commonly as Fuel Assistance. This program helps low income people pay for part of the cost of their primary source of heat from November 1st through April 30th. Renters whose heat is included in their rent may also be eligible. The 2025 heating season income limits are: $49,196 for a 1 person household and $64,333 for a 2 person household. To apply for fuel assistance: call BCAC: 413445-4503 (Main office in Pittsfield), 663-3014 (North County); or you can use the toll free automated system 1-866-216-6200; or apply online https://toapply.org/BCAC. The Salvation Army (https://massachusetts. salvationarmy.org/) administers the Good Neighbor Energy Fund (www. magoodneighbor.org). The Good Neighborhood Energy Fund helps qualified Massachusetts residents pay electric, gas, and oil bills when, due to temporary financial difficulty, they can’t meet their energy expenses and they aren’t eligible for state or federal assistance . It is available from January 2nd until funds run out. Income for either the prior twelve months or the past month (times 12 months for a total annual figure) must fall between 60 and 80% percent of the state’s median income levels. The income guidelines for the 2024-2025 season are: 1 person household $49,197 - $65,595; 2 person $64,334 - $85,777) For more information about eligibility criteria and to apply, call Pittsfield Corps 413442-0624 (298 West St) or North
Adams Corps 663-7987 (393 River St). Those who qualify may receive up to $400 per household per heating season. The Pittsfield Salvation Army also administers the Emergency Fuel Oil Fund of the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations (PACC). This fund provides one-time grants of 100 gallons of heating oil to eligible families who have exhausted all other forms of fuel assistance during the heating season.
Veterans’ Services has a state program known as Chapter 115 benefits that provides cash and medical assistance to lowincome Massachusetts wartime veterans and their families who are in need of immediate help, including help with fuel. To determine eligibility visit the Massachusetts Veteran Benefit Calculator (https://massvetben. org). It helps residents who have served in the military quickly and easily determine if they may be eligible for financial assistance. You can also call the Veterans Services Officer (VSO) in your area: 528-1580 (South County), 662-3040 (North County), and 499-9433 (Pittsfield area). There is a VSO finder online at https:// massvetben.org/find-your-vso.
An important reminder…
Massachusetts law prevents electric and gas companies from shutting off service between November 15th– March 15th if the service is used to heat your house. There are additional shut-off protections for people in special situations such as senior (65 yrs or over) households, low-income families with infants, and people with serious illness who cannot afford to pay their utility bills. For more information contact your utility company or Elder Services’ Information & Referral Department, 413-499-0524.
Thank You To Our Donors:
The following donations were received between November 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Donations received on or after December 31, 2024 will appear in the next issue of Berkshire Senior.
$50 for 50 Donations
Karen Tibbetts
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Memorial Donations
In Memory of: William Broderick
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Katherine Winn)
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Greylock Federal Credit Union
BERKSHIRE COUNTY LEGISLATORS
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
Congressman Richard Neal
372 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5601
300 State Street, Suite 200 Springfield, MA 01105-1711 (413) 785-0325
24 Beacon Street, Room 237 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2305
District Office: (413) 743-8300
John.barrett@mahouse.gov
Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier
24 Beacon Street, Room 127 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2680
District Office: (413) 442-4300
Tricia.farley-bouvier@mahouse.gov
Sen. Paul Mark
24 Beacon Street, Room 279 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2017
District Office: (413) 464-5635
Paul.mark@masentate.gov
Rainbow Seniors Rainbow Seniors
by Kristin Grave
Rainbow Seniors of Berkshire County serves lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors in Berkshire County and its members represent every letter in the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Although its focus is on those who are 60+ years of age, anyone and everyone is welcome to attend its variety of events and activities.
Founded by Williamstown resident Ed Sedarbaum in 2016, Rainbow Seniors continues to provide a variety of social activities that are educational and culturally enriching in North, Central, and South County. Programs are held in safe, secure, and accessible places where everyone’s privacy is respected. Rainbow Seniors actively coordinates programming with other senior-focused organizations and services including Elder Services and Councils on Aging. Additionally, the group partners with community libraries, local colleges, and LGBTQ+ organizations in Berkshire County and beyond.
Rainbow Seniors offers a variety of meaningful activities for individuals to engage in and connect with their peers. There’s something for everyone, from potlucks to film screenings, festivals, concerts, pool parties, walks and hikes, theater outings, poetry workshops and museum visits. Both in-person and online events are offered, including monthly get-togethers and weekly special events. Among their most popular events are the online lunchtime Chat & Chew and the evening Sip & Schmooze, both of which provide a chance to simply chat with one’s peers. Making and maintaining social connections is
important in reducing the risk of isolation and fostering healthy aging.
This is especially important for LGBTQ+ seniors who grew up in a time when being fired from a job, ostracized by your family, and even dying from AIDS was an all-too common experience. Bonding with others who share these fears and experiences is helpful to mental health.
It is worth noting that Rainbow Seniors does not require any application forms or membership dues. To stay updated with their activities and events, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram at BerkshireRainbowSeniors. You can also visit their website, www.rainbowseniors.org, and subscribe to their newsletter. If you are interested, you can simply show up at one of their events and you will be warmly welcomed. Volunteer assistance is also welcomed, which could include anything from helping to plan an event to working on their social media to assisting with outreach to other local organizations.
We hope you’ll continue to attend and enjoy the supportive community they provide. For further information, email info@ rainbowseniors.org or leave a message at 413-398-9135.
Rainbow Seniors of Berkshire County is funded in part by Title III of the Older Americans Act. Elder Services of Berkshire County administers this grant. Rainbow Senior’s fiscal agent is the Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition.
So come and meet fabulous new friends and neighbors, in-person or online! Rainbow Seniors looks forward to meeting you!
Donna Bre wer, O w ner Ste ven J Bre wer, Director
Understanding Hearing Aids
by Perry Burdick
As we age, our hearing can naturally decline, making it harder to enjoy conversations, music, or even the sounds of nature. Hearing loss is very common among older people, but the good news is that hearing aids can help restore the ability to hear and improve your quality of life. If you’re considering a hearing aid, here’s a simple guide to help you understand what they are, how they work, and the features that might be most helpful for you.
What Are Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are small electronic devices designed to improve hearing. They work by amplifying sounds so that people with hearing loss can hear better in various environments, whether it’s during a quiet conversation or in a noisy room. Hearing aids come in different styles, sizes, and features, but their main goal is to make sounds clearer and easier to hear.
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
Hearing aids have a few basic components that help them work. The microphone is an electronic device that picks up sound from your surroundings and converts it into electrical signals. The electrical signal is then fed to an amplifier to make the sound louder. A receiver then sends the amplified sound to your ear. Chances are, the receiver and amplifier are all in the hearing aid. All of this works with a small battery, which needs to be replaced or recharged periodically. These components work together to ensure that sounds are clearer and easier to hear. Some hearing aids also have additional features that adjust the sound quality depending on the environment, like whether you’re in a quiet room or a crowded place.
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in different shapes and sizes. One of the more
common types is the Behind-theEar (BTE) hearing aid. These are worn behind the ear and are connected to a custom earpiece that sits inside your ear. They are usually larger and can accommodate more powerful amplification, making them a good choice for people with more severe hearing loss.
Another type is the In-theEar (ITE) hearing aid. These hearing aids fit directly inside the ear. They are smaller than BTE models but still provide good amplification and are easy to adjust. Even smaller than the BTE is the In-the-Canal (ITC) type. These fit partially in the ear canal. They are less visible, but the smaller size can limit some features.
The smallest type yet is the Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aid. These fit completely inside the ear canal, making them almost invisible. However, due to their size, they might not have as many features as other types.
The last type of hearing aid is the Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) type. Similar to BTE models, these have a small receiver placed in the ear canal, making them less visible and offering a more natural sound.
Important Features of Hearing Aids
When choosing a hearing aid, there are several features that can make a significant difference in how well you hear and how comfortable the device is to use. Of course, features come with a higher price tag, but the higher price might be worth it. Let’s go through the list:
• Noise Reduction: Many hearing aids have noise reduction features that help reduce background noise, making it easier to hear conversations even in noisy places. This is especially useful if you find it difficult to hear in crowded restaurants or busy streets.
• Directional Microphones: Another useful feature is a directional microphone. This
allows the hearing aid to focus on sounds coming from a specific direction, such as someone speaking directly to you. It can help you hear better in noisy environments by picking up sound from the front while blocking out noise from the sides and behind.
• Bluetooth Connectivity: Some modern hearing aids can connect to your phone, television, or other devices via Bluetooth. This allows you to stream sound directly to your hearing aid for clearer calls, music, or TV watching.
• Rechargeable Batteries: To alleviate the expense of purchasing batteries, some hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries. This can be more convenient for seniors who have difficulty handling small batteries.
• Tinnitus Masking: This is something I can relate to— tinnitus masking. If you suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears), certain hearing aids come with features to mask or reduce the sounds associated with tinnitus, making it more manageable.
• Feedback Cancellation: If having tinnitus isn’t bad enough, I’m sure we’ve all heard the squealing sound of a hearing aid due to incorrect volume adjustment or a poor fit. This loud, whistling sound is called feedback. A hearing aid feature that eliminates or reduces this issue is called feedback cancellation.
• Volume Control: Many hearing aids have adjustable volume settings, which allow you to make the sound louder or softer depending on your environment. Some models even have automatic volume control that adjusts itself based on the noise level around you.
• Smartphone Apps: Some hearing aids can be controlled via smartphone apps, letting you adjust settings, switch between different modes, or check the battery life with ease.
How to Get a Hearing Aid
Before getting a hearing aid, it’s important to visit an audiologist or hearing specialist. They will assess your hearing needs, perform a hearing test, and recommend the best hearing aid based on your specific condition.
Tips for Using Hearing Aids
• Get Used to Them: It may take some time to get used to wearing a hearing aid. Start by wearing them for short periods each day and gradually increase the time.
• Regular Cleaning: Hearing aids need to be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt, wax, and moisture from affecting their performance.
• Follow Up with Your Audiologist: Periodically check in with your audiologist to make sure your hearing aids are working well for you and to adjust them as needed.
• Be Patient: It may take some time to adjust to hearing aids, especially if you’ve been dealing with hearing loss for a while. Be patient with yourself as you adapt to the sounds around you.
Hearing aids can dramatically improve your ability to communicate, engage with others, and enjoy the sounds you love. By understanding the different types and features of hearing aids, you can find a device that fits your needs and helps you hear better.
A Tale of Three Volunteers
by Margaret Zamierowski
Diane Weinstein is retired, having served as Executive Director of Melbourne Assisted Living for 18 years. Before that, Diane served in various capacities here at Elder Services of Berkshire County, overseeing federally funded programs such as Long Term Ombudsman and Nutrition, and developing new projects.
She tells us, “When I first retired I took my time to decide how I wanted to spend my time. I knew I wanted to be an active hands-on volunteer. I didn’t want to serve on boards or committees of non-profits since I had spent a lot of my pre-retirement years doing so – including the Pittsfield Council on Aging (COA), Berkshire County Red Cross, Berkshire Area Health Education Center (AHEC), and my synagogue, Knesset Israel. I took some Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) classes, took the Mediation Course offered by Berkshire Regional Housing, and tutored a young woman who was learning to speak English. Soon after, I began delivering Meals on Wheels to elders in South County as a “backup” driver, which wasn’t a great fit for me. I decided to try grocery shopping and that’s a perfect fit. I might be the only person who actually enjoys grocery shopping! That’s probably because I like food and I like to cook.”
Diane volunteers at South Community Food Pantry and with the Thanksgiving Angels, among other projects. Her days are full with volunteering, hobbies, being with friends, and enjoying all that the Berkshires have to offer. She points out that shopping for her current client becomes a much appreciated home visit as well for this person who does not get out often.
“For me, there are many benefits to volunteering. It makes me feel good to be of help. I am grateful that I am able to be of use. I have a stronger sense of connection to my community.
I’ve met new people from many different walks of life and it helps “balance” my week. Volunteering is very much in keeping with the basic Jewish value of ‘Gemilut Hasidim’, the giving of loving kindness, and the concept of ‘Tikkun Olam’, any activity that helps heal the world.”
Karen Oak has been volunteering with Elder Services for 12 years in a few different capacities, Money Management, Meals on Wheels, and Transportation Volunteer for medical appointments. She worked in the insurance field, at oil companies, and at the hospital for many years. Karen knew she had to find some volunteer work when she retired: “I can’t stay home!” She credits her inspiration to volunteer with us to her former boss, Jim Smith, of McCormick, Smith and Curry.
Karen remembers that Jim volunteered for Elder Services throughout his professional career and was awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’.
Karen recalls one of her first assignments to an older lady, a retired teacher, who was blind and deaf, and lived alone. Karen was a Money Management volunteer at the time, assisting the client with paying bills. She recalls helping the client sign a check for another volunteer to do her grocery shopping.
“Some people have no one!”
Karen exclaims. She realized the importance of driving people to medical appointments, pointing out that there is great need here in Berkshire County for folks who can no longer drive on their own.
She reflects on the many folks she has helped who are since gone, noting that women were far less independent years ago, learning to write checks and balance budgets for the first time after the deaths of their spouses.
“People worked in the mills, they worked for GE, and many wives stayed home taking care of the children.”
Karen tells us that you never know what you will find when
you visit people at home. She points out that some folks can be a bit challenging “You have to be professional and patient,” Karen says, in those circumstances. “You have to do the best you can.”
Karen offers this bit of advice, with a laugh, “Make younger friends!”
Alex Huber began volunteering for Elder Services as a shopper 20 years ago. She was an ICU nurse at BMC at that time. She reports that although her work was physically, intellectually and emotionally demanding, she loved it! She spoke of how she often had to react to a crisis situation quickly, including making connections with the patients and their family members.
Many years ago, Alex’s grandmother Winifred (Winnie), who lived in Schenectady, called her up, crying. She asked Alex to drive her to a medical appointment; Winnie had a ride lined up but it fell through at the last minute. Alex drove Winnie to medical and other appointments until she could no longer manage at home by herself. At 90, Winnie moved to a Berkshire County nursing home so that Alex could take care of her closer to her own home. After her grandmother’s death, Alex reports, “I realized that my grandmother lived independently at home all those years because of me!” She had volunteering with Elder Services in mind while taking care of her grandmother. Alex volunteers with us now, taking folks to medical appointments, in honor of Winnie.
Alex remembers the blind and deaf client. Alex was the volunteer who shopped for her. She reports how amazed she is that people in poor circumstances want to pay for rides. She notes the rides provide much needed contact, conversation, and socialization. She also says, “I like kids, dogs, and older people. Everyone else is on their own!” and that a sense of humor is needed in this
world. Contributing to society keeps Alex positive, keeps her going, and gets her outside of herself. She wants to stay useful, “Because I still can!”
“It’s so easy,” Alex says, “And sometimes fun. I meet different people all the time. During one stretch, I drove a few different folks whose kids were opera singers! If you have the time and a car, consider volunteering with Elder Services. People are so grateful for these rides!”
Here at Elder Services we are grateful to all of our staff and volunteers for working together to make the world a better place. In honor of Winnie, in the spirit of loving kindness, with the aim of helping to heal the world, and the wisdom of always making new friends, we salute you, Diane, Karen, and Alex.
Senior “Circuit Breaker” Tax Credit
You may be eligible for a refundable property tax credit!
by Laura Feakes, Elder Services I & R Specialist
Certain seniors who own or rent residential property are eligible for a refundable property tax credit – find out below if you qualify:
The Circuit Breaker (CB) tax credit is offered to older persons in Massachusetts to offset high property tax bills. This tax break is called the “circuit breaker” because it is triggered like an electrical circuit breaker, when property tax payments, together with half of your water and sewer expense exceeds 10% of a person’s income for the same tax year. Even though the CB tax credit is based on your property tax payment, it is the state that pays you back - not your local city or town.
To be eligible for the credit for the 2024 tax year you must be at least 65 years of age before January 1, 2025, own or rent a home or apartment in Massachusetts and occupy it as your principal residence. Your 2024 total income cannot exceed $72,000 for a single filer, $91,000 for a head of household, or $109,000 for married couples filing a joint return. For purposes of this credit, “total income” includes taxable income as well as exempt income such as social security, treasury bills, and public pensions. The assessed valuation of your property cannot be more than $1,172,000. If the taxpayer owns more than one acre of land, only the assessed value of the principal residence, together with the land that immediately surrounds and is associated with that residence, not to exceed one acre, should be used in determining the eligibility of the taxpayer for the credit. The maximum credit allowed for tax year 2024 is $2,730.
If you rent, the law assumes that 25% of your rent goes toward property taxes. A formula, based on actual rent paid during the calendar year, is used to
determine the amount of an elder tenant’s CB credit. No credit is allowed if the taxpayer claims the married filing separate status, receives a federal or state rent subsidy, rents from a landlord who is not required to pay real estate taxes, or is the dependent of another taxpayer.
You claim the credit by submitting a completed Schedule CB Worksheet and Schedule CB, Circuit Break Credit, with a 2024 state income tax return. If you do not normally file a state return because you don’t owe any state taxes, you still can take advantage of this tax break by filing a Form One plus the Schedule CB. Fullyear resident taxpayers who have previously filed a Massachusetts return are eligible to file an income tax return and apply for the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax credit on MassTaxConnect for free. Or, if you’re eligible, complete Schedule CB with your Mass state income tax return, using your tax software. You can also print out the forms found online and mail them to the Mass DOR. Any credit received by an eligible taxpayer is not considered income for the purposes of obtaining eligibility or benefits under other meanstested assistance programs including food, medical, housing, and energy assistance programs. If you find yourself eligible, you can go back 3 tax years and claim the credit retroactively. For example, you have until April 17, 2025 to file for the circuit breaker tax rebate for 2021. If you filed a Form One, you must file a Form CA-6, which is an Application for Abatement/Amended Return. Along with the amendment form, you submit a Schedule CB to calculate your credit. If you did not file Form 1, you must file Form 1 for that year now, together with Schedule CB. This must be completed within 3 years from the last day for filing the return, without regard to any extension of time to file.
For more information, you can go to the Mass. Department of Revenue website, www.mass. gov/dor, where you can download forms and detailed instructions, including the brochure “Tax Tips for Seniors and Retirees” and “Massachusetts Tax Information for Seniors and Retirees”. Free tax preparation assistance may be available from early February until April 15th through the Tax-Aide Program sponsored by the AARP Foundation for all middle and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Volunteers are trained in cooperation with the IRS and will assist in filling out tax forms and then filing them electronically. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. Berkshire County sites offering this service are generally local Senior Centers. The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites also offer free basic tax return preparation for qualified individuals. Local VITA sites include Berkshire Community Action Council (bcacinc.org, Pittsfield 413-418-3685; North Adams 413-663-3014) and Berkshire Habitat for Humanity (berkshirehabitat.org/vita, 413442-3181).
There are some other programs available if you feel burdened by property taxes. Massachusetts law allows cities and towns to give exemptions, deferrals or abatements to seniors, the blind, veterans, and other eligible homeowners to help them pay their property tax bills. Seniors can also earn abatements through the Senior Property Tax Work-Off Program. Some of these programs are mandated by law, while others are by local option. Your board of assessors, as the local tax administrator, decides whether you qualify. To find out about the specific eligibility and application requirements in your city or town, you must contact your local board of assessors. For more information, see the DOR’s Taxpayer’s Guide to Local Property Tax Exemptions and Deferrals , www.mass.gov/lists/ property-tax-forms-and-guides. If you do not have access to the internet, you can request a copy from Elder Services. Elder Services Information and Referral (I & R) Department provides information about problems or issues relevant to seniors. I & R Specialists can be reached at 413-499-0524 or 1-800544-5242.
Berkshire Senior Television
Maureen Tuggy (Client Services Director), Josh Derby (Client Services Supervisor) and Isaac Share (Home & Community Based Program Supervisor) discuss Home Care Services.
SERVICES OFFERED
BERKSHIRE COUNTY
Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. NUTRITION PROGRAM
SENIOR
COMMUNITY DINING CENTERS
The status and offerings of the Senior Community Dining Centers are likely to evolve. Please call for the latest update.
Eligible seniors 60 years or older are welcome to attend any Senior Meal Site. Reservations are requested 24 hours in advance. The suggested donation is $3.00 per meal. All contributions are returned to the community toward the cost of the Senior Nutrition Program. Those 59 or under are welcome at the required fee of $8.00 per meal.
MEDICALLY TAILORED MEALS
Elder Services now provides medically tailored meals (MTMs). MTMs help meet the nutritional needs of seniors with health conditions that require specific diets such as diabetes and heart or kidney disease.
MTMs can be delivered to individuals at their home five days a week. Menus are developed by our registered dietician and trained staff.
Call Elder Services at (413) 499-0524 to request a special meal such as pureed, cardiac, diabetic, renal and vegetarian.
“But I Don’t Want to Change” Tackling Life Transitions
by Peter Olsen
Try as you might, it can’t be avoided. As one grows older, inevitably, there are life transitions and changes that each has to navigate. Change happens despite our best efforts to resist. You have choices. You can choose to confront change from a positive perspective, or you can resist, complain, whine, or ignore.
Let’s start with a few comments about aging and navigating transitions. Sounds daunting, but it can be fun if we choose:
• “There is no way I was born just to pay bills and die.”
• “At the end of the day, life should ask us,’ Do you want me to save the changes?”
• “The only way to make sense of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” A.A.Watts.
• “Life is like a diaper. When it stinks, it is time to change it.”
Life transitions are periods of significant change we all go through as we move from stage to stage. It’s never easy, but we have to do it anyway. Even the “suggestion “of changing can strike fear in the older adult. Yes, transitions can be challenging, but how we approach them can make the difference between success and failure.
Among the most common senior life transitions include:
• Retirement
• Medical Concerns
• Changing living communities
• Loss of a spouse or family member
These events can dramatically change your day-to-day life, responsibilities, and selfassurance. It’s common for seniors to feel stressed, anxious, depressed, or isolated when facing crucial transitions. Some keys to maintaining your balance
during transitions include, but not limited to the following:
Physical Changes:
• Stay active, maintain a healthy diet, practice good sleep hygiene, and manage chronic conditions. Find ways to relax. Exercise helps control your weight and blood pressure and rejuvenates your spirit. When you “feel” good, you are better positioned to face difficult transitions. Pay attention to your physical self.
Prepare:
• Getting ready for change will make the experience more manageable. Maybe you can’t prepare for all known transitions, but doing as much as possible in anticipation of getting ready will make the experience smoother. Stress can make you neglect regular routines, but that’s when you need them most.
• Try to ignore or downplay your fear. Fear will only make anxiety worse. Remind yourself that fear is an internal experience and not always based on reality.
• Validate your feelings. Every emotion is valid and acceptable whether you feel happy, angry, sad, or confused. Own your feelings.
Practice Self Care:
• You must manage your mental health to get through transitions with as little stress as possible. Prioritizing self-care will give you the energy to stay well for the duration. If you are having a hard time coping, don’t try to hide it from others – or yourself. By understanding
and directly confronting the transition, you can navigate these periods of change with resilience and purpose.
• Your friends and family love you, but it is possible that they have not been where you are now. If that’s the case, look for a mentor or model to inspire you. Connecting with someone who has been through something similar can remind you that you are not alone and help you navigate a tough transition.
A Caveat for consideration:
• If you think you might need a nursing home or assistant living facility sometime in the future don’t put off searching
until the last minute. If you wait, you might get what’s left over rather than your first choice.
The majority of seniors state they want to “age in place.” This attitude assumes that we can remain independent for our entire lives. Not so. No one lives an “unassisted” life. Sooner or later, we all need assistance of some sort. Few of us know how to age well – we have never been this age before. But let’s do it while we laugh and with a positive perspective on growing older. So…we move on with this thought:” One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.” Happy days are here again.
