by Marcia Parnell
In our December issue we shared the details about the support network for seniors provided by Elder Services of Berkshire County and local Councils on Aging and ended with the question: Does it work in Becket? The answer is that while the structure sounds good on paper, problems arise in its execution.
Elder Services Client Services Director Maureen Tuggey reports one major issue is the gap between demand for home services and the workforce supply. Despite attractive pay increases, it is hard to find workers to provide basic home services like homemaking, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry and personal care for bathing and dressing. That seemed to bear out in our conversations with several Becket seniors, who rely on family or local contacts and friends to help them identify and hire nearby residents to do tasks like driving, grocery shopping and house cleaning.
It’s even more difficult to fill skilled home health aide positions. Tuggey said filling these positions was challenging pre-pandemic but is even more so today because there just aren’t enough skilled workers in the area. Even when skilled workers are available, meeting the needs of a senior that may require multiple injections daily or a mechanical lift to get in and out of bed, is problematic. Tuggey explains the reality is that their skilled workers have lives too, involving sick kids or parents and other obligations that may require them to miss a shift. Often there is no back up.
Of those that we spoke with that are still here, all professed a love for Becket. They say they are happy here and have been able to remain here thus far because they maintain a strong network through religious affiliations, organizations like the COA, local arts and cultural activities, and their relationships with family, friends and neighbors.
Town Administrator Kathe Warden worries about other seniors that may not be as connected to the community. She coordinates with COA co-chair Paula Bergeron to maintain a short list of seniors for whom Becket police officers conduct wellness checks during power outages or severe weather. She also hopes that over time grant money will become available to fund a community outreach position to augment existing services and better connect all seniors to the services they need. Any senior or caretaker looking for more information about services available from Elder Services of Berkshire County can call the agency at 413.499.0524 or visit their website: www.esbci.org.
