Press Release
The Acushnet Council on Aging is pleased to announce that the Southcoast Health has awarded a grant of $1,500 to the Acushnet COA for support of Memory Café through its Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program.
The Acushnet Memory Café offers individuals with some type of memory loss the opportunity to meet face-to-face with people who are going through experiences similar to theirs.
“Our Memory Café is a weekly gathering where everyone can interact, find support, establish friendships and share concerns without feeling embarrassed or misunderstood,” said Acushnet Council on Aging Program Director Heather Sylvia. “Coming together with others who are experiencing the same challenges in a non-judgmental environment makes the world less confusing and lonely. We are profoundly grateful to funding partners like the Southcoast Health System that enable us to provide this vital community service.”
“Families who must live with the devastating effects of memory disorders can turn to the Acushnet COA Café for a respite from the stresses and pressure that can be overwhelming,” said Keith Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Health. “We are pleased to support this important program that fits perfectly within the health priority areas of our community outreach and helps so many people.”
First launched in February 2018, the Acushnet Memory Café meets every Monday at 1 p.m. at the Acushnet Public Library, 232 Middle Road. Past activities have included working with clay, musical entertainment, magic, cooking demos and more. The program is free and open to the community regardless of where participants live. Reservations are not required but for more information, please all the Acushnet Council on Aging at 508-998-0280.
Over the past three years, Southcoast Health System has awarded 93 grants totaling $409,000 to area non-profit organizations that are working to address unmet health needs in the South Coast region through its Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program. The program is part of larger community benefits efforts that have a positive impact on hundreds of thousands of residents on the South Coast. During the past decade, Southcoast Health through its community benefits program has contributed more than $200 million to the region.
The Acushnet Council on Aging (COA) supports residents age 50+ seeking to increase their mental, social and physical well-being. The mission of the Acushnet Council on Aging is to advocate and support the community’s older adults, their families, and their caregivers while promoting independent and positive lifestyles, in a welcoming and secure environment. The COA offers educational, recreational and cultural programs and activities to enhance the quality of life for our seniors.
Southcoast Health is a community-based health delivery system offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern Mass. and parts of Rhode Island. SCH is comprised of three hospitals — Charlton Memorial in Fall River, St. Luke’s in New Bedford and Tobey in Wareham — two Centers for Cancer Care and six Urgent Care Centers, and has partnered with Acadia Healthcare to provide behavioral health services at Southcoast Behavioral Health in Dartmouth. With a comprehensive network of more than 600 employed and affiliated providers, Southcoast is the largest provider of primary and specialty care in the region. A visiting nurse association and numerous additional ambulatory facilities help to round out the services provided to more than 724,000 residents in 33 communities. Southcoast Health is a not-for profit, charitable organization, and, with more than 7,500 employees, is the largest employer in SE Mass., and the 18th largest employer in the Commonwealth according to the Boston Business Journal. For more information visit www.southcoast.org, or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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