$127,000 Awarded to 8 Community Agencies Serving Older Adults
As the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for our region, Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands promotes and sponsors many services which reach out to all people in the community aged sixty and older. Particular attention is given to rural elderly, elderly with the greatest economic and social need, low-income minority individuals, the severely disabled, limited English-speaking elderly, LGBTQ+ elders, and people with Alzheimer’s or other related dementias and their caregivers. In addition to ESCCI’S in-house programs serving the population, the AAA distributes Older Americans Act funds as community grants to other local organizations. This year, Elder Services is awarding $127,000 in Federal Title III funding to 8 local partners. Funding decisions are made by an advisory committee based on input received during public hearings and through a tri-annual community needs assessment conducted by Elder Services.
John Carroll, chair of the Title III Advisory Council says “The data collected through the 2024 MA Statewide Needs Assessment Survey, confirmed that transportation, mental health support, and caregiver respite are critical needs of Cape and Islands seniors. The Advisory Council therefore felt strongly about approving programs that were prepared to meet these needs on day one.” Community Services Officer Sarah Franey noted that “the board’s funding decisions were also influenced by geographical scope and greatest number of individuals to be served.”
The Orleans Council on Aging used its 2025 Title III grant to start a Technology Training & Assistance program. COA director Judi Wilson reflects, “This grant was so important in helping us create a technology support program targeted at providing the meaningful technology support to seniors which is needed in our community, and it has made a real difference in helping older adults get ‘unstuck’ and more fully engaged with digital resources.” The Council was able to leverage the program’s success to secure future funding from another source.
The FY2026 grantees are:
Alzheimer’s Family Support Center: $15,000
Provides free supportive counseling services to caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related illnesses, utilizing state of the art teleconferencing technology to connect on-Cape caregivers, counselors and long-distance family members. This New York University Caregiver Program is an evidence-based program.
Barnstable Council on Aging: $10,000.00
Transportation services (medical, grocery, social) expanded from 3 days a week to 5 days a week for 90+ elders.
Brewster Council on Aging: $3,500.00
Provides funding to volunteer drivers who provide transportation for seniors to and from medical appointments.
Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard: $6,500.00
For the GoGo Grandparent concierge-based transportation system, which provides free, on-demand rides to 75-100 seniors weekly (for non-emergent medical, enrichment and community-based appointments).
Martha’s Vineyard Center for Community Living: $5,000.00
Volunteer based caregiver respite program. A person-centered program for older adults living with a dementia who prefer a 1:1 experience, while giving their caregivers much needed respite. This weekly service will also offer respite to caregivers outside of regular working hours, including nights and weekends.
Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket (PASCON): $5,000.00
Provides individualized assessment, education, counseling and referral services for Nantucket caregivers by a clinical team (Palliative Care Counselor, Nurse Practitioner, RN and LICSW). Services can be provided in home or in other settings. Also offers palliative support groups and the Stress Reduction Program.
South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc.: $72,000.00
Provides free, civil legal services and representation to low income seniors on the Cape and Islands through direct service, referrals, community outreach and education.
Truro Council on Aging: $10,000.00
Transportation, HHA assistance, nutrition and dementia friendly social interaction program for elders, caregivers and the disabled once a week for 5 hours. 10 participant spots available (from a pool of approximately 30 pre-approved participants) on a rotating basis.