Harbor’s Elder Service Plan Opens COVID-19 Respite Center
Responding to needs of frail elders with COVID-19
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, the health of frail elders is very much at risk right now. Over the past several weeks, our team at Harbor Health Elder Service Plan has responded to keep our elder participants safe.
Our Elder Service Plan is a Massachusetts Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Similar to Harbor’s community health centers, our PACE program is a community-based care hub. As a program participant, low- and moderate-income frail elders receive personalized healthcare and social support services to stay independent and at home.
From the start of the crisis, our PACE team quickly moved to providing healthcare and support services in our participant’s homes. Just last week, the team also welcomed our first participant recovering from COVID-19 to our new 12-bed Respite Center in Mattapan.
“Despite the challenges the pandemic has posed, our ability to open the Respite Center has created an unique opportunity to bring together our staff and community to care for our most vulnerable seniors,” explained Gretchen Reynard, the senior vice president of Harbor’s Elder Service Plan.
How Will the Respite Center Help PACE Participants?
Our team mobilized the Respite Center to give participants a safe, comfortable place to recover after a COVID-19-related hospital stay. The Respite Center is also serving participants with COVID-19 who are receiving end-of-life comfort care.
Even when hospital-level care is no longer needed, participants with COVID-19 are often unable to return home. In some cases, family members are too sick to care for them – the elder needs more specialized care than they can provide. Or an assisted living facility or nursing home would not allow them to return.
In an unfamiliar hospital setting, participants and their families can become stressed and anxious. They are not seeing their regular medical providers who they know and trust. The social supports are also not the same.
A key aspect of the PACE program is the close, personal relationship our providers and care team members have with our participants. At Harbor’s Respite Center, our PACE participants can receive 24-hour medical and supportive care from their familiar, dedicated healthcare team.
Critical Care for Frail Elders In Our Community
Elders in our community have been especially hard hit by COVID-19. The average age of the over 7,700 Massachusetts residents hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 is 68. Thirty-one percent of hospitalized residents are over age 80.
PACE participants are often the frailest and most medically complex members of our community. The Respite Center is a critical part of caring for the frail elders enrolled in Harbor’s PACE program.
Harbor’s PACE program is accepting new members! We are also offering virtual tours. Visit hhsi.us/elder-service-plan to learn more about the program.
COVID-19 Updated Hours
New hours for telehealth, in-person appointments, and pharmacy
Due to COVID-19, we have updated the hours at all of our health center locations.
There are new hours for telehealth video and phone appointments. Our health centers also have new hours when they are open for in-person appointments.
Please click on your health center location below to see the new hours at each location:
New patients are welcome! Please call the health center most convenient to you to make an appointment.
Information About Our Dental Services
Our dental care team can help you with urgent and emergency dental questions and issues.
We offer urgent dental care telehealth appointments by phone or video. For the most urgent cases, we also have limited in-person appointments to provide care.
Please call your health center for help with an urgent or emergency dental issue.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to receive messages left after-hours at Ellen Jones Community Dental Center or Harbor Community Dental Center – Provincetown.
Please call us Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM so we can help you as quickly as possible.
Information About Our Pharmacies
Our pharmacies are open! Our pharmacy hours are the same as the health center open hours.
We offer curbside pick-up and mail delivery for prescriptions.
For more information about services we are offering at our health centers visit hhsi.us/coronavirus
8 Warning Signs You Are Mentally and Emotionally Exhausted
Monitor your mental health during COVID-19
There are so many ways COVID-19 is affecting everyone right now. All of those ways can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, and poor mental health.
Many are sick and dealing with health issues, while others are facing unemployment, food insecurity, social isolation, grief, and/or uncertainty about the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a traumatic event. The Disaster Distress Helpline, a federal crisis hotline, has seen a huge spike in calls from people seeking help. Compared to March 2019, the hotline saw a 891% increase in calls in March 2020.
Monitoring your mental health is important to do, especially right now. Harbor Health’s behavioral health team wanted to share 8 warning signs that you may be mentally and emotionally exhausted.
When you know the signs, you can help a family member, child, and yourself find support.
8 Warning Signs You Are Mentally and Emotionally Exhausted
Getting help for mental health will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger!
Our behavioral health team is offering telehealth appointments over the phone and accepting new patients.
If you need help applying for insurance we can help with that over the phone. Please call to make an appointment! Find a health center near you.
There are also things you can do at home to help cope with stress and fear from COVID-19. The video below from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has some good ideas.
8 Dấu Hiệu Cảnh Giác Quý Vị bị Suy Kiệt Tâm Thần và Cảm Xúc
Quý vị dễ nổi cáu.
Quý vị thấy hoàn toàn không có động lực nào – ngay cả khi muốn làm những điều quý vị vốn thích làm.
Quý vị thấy lo lắng hoặc hoảng sợ.
Quý vị bị khó ngủ. Quý vị mất nhiều giờ mới ngủ được hoặc quý vị ngủ chập chờn suốt đêm.
Quý vị hầu như mất kiên nhẫn và thấy mình bớt giao thiệp với đồng nghiệp và gia đình.
Quý vị bị ăn khó tiêu. Quý vị thường xuyên đau bao tử nhẹ hoặc thấy cồn cào.
Quý vị bắt đầu khóc bất chợt.
Quý vị tách biệt mình khỏi thực tại – mỗi ngày trôi qua và quý vị không có cảm xúc hoặc gắn kết với điều gì. Quý vị thấy trống rỗng.
CHÚNG TÔI ĐANG Ở ĐÂY ĐỂ CHĂM SÓC CÁC BẠN! Nhóm dịch vụ Y Tế và Sức Khỏe Tâm Thần tại Trung Tâm Y Tế tiếp tục chăm sóc cho những cuộc hẹn không khẩn cấp qua điện thoại.
Our dental services at all Harbor Community Health Centers have suspended services due to COVID-19.
The safety of our patients and the members of our dental care team is always our top priority!
We will open our dental practices for routine and non-urgent dental care when the recommendations for staying closed are lifted and we believe it is safe for patients and staff to return.
Our dental team follows all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. We will closely monitor any additional infection control or personal protection equipment policies coming from the CDC and make the changes necessary to keep everyone safety.
Urgent Dental Questions and Emergencies
Call your health center with urgent questions and dental emergencies. We can provide care with a telehealth appointment over the phone and also have limited in-person appointments for the most urgent emergency cases.
As the situation with COVID-19 changes, we will continue to keep you updated on when our dental practices will open again for non-urgent care.
We very much appreciate the patience and understanding of all our patients at this time!
Our medical and behavioral health services at our health centers remain open.
Please remember to call BEFORE you come to the health center if you have any of the following symptoms: Fever, difficulty breathing, cough.
Be well,
The Harbor Health dental care team
What is Telehealth?
Medical and behavioral health appointments over the phone
Telehealth and telemedicine are two words you may be hearing a lot about with COVID-19.
It’s OK if you’re not quite sure what they mean!
What is Telehealth?
Using telehealth, you can have a visit with your provider over the phone or with video chat.
Telehealth is very helpful for many types of appointments including when you need to:
Talk about symptoms you are having to find out if you should get tested for COVID-19 or other health conditions.
Have an appointment with a behavioral health provider.
Get a non-COVID-19 related appointment that can’t happen in person for safety.
Having an appointment over the phone is also a way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19!
Harbor now offers telehealth over the phone
NEW!Harbor’s community health centers are now offering telehealth visits with our medical and behavioral health providers over the phone!
The way you make a telehealth appointment is the same. You call your health center to schedule appointment with your provider.
PLEASE NOTE: We are only able to provide a telehealth appointment if you are in Massachusetts. If you will be in another state for a telehealth appointment, we are unable to offer care at this time.
Our health centers are welcoming new patients! Our family medicine providers can see ages 2 and up.
A telehealth visit over the phone is another option for getting the care you need! Essential and urgent appointments will still take place at our health centers.
Harbor accepts most insurance plans, including MassHealth and Health Safety Net. Our financial counselors and community health workers can also help anyone in our community apply for health insurance over the phone.
Find a Harbor Health Location
Here is a list of our community health centers offering phone appointments with our providers:
The Food Pantry at Daniel Driscoll – Neponset Health Center will offer extended hours beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Until further notice, the Food Pantry will be openevery Tuesday from 8:30AM-5:00PM.
Come to the Food Pantry later in the day to avoid lines early in the morning!
To keep all of our clients and staff healthy and safe, please do not come to the food pantry if you:
Are sick or have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, fatigue.
Have been in close contact with someone suspected of having or who tested positive for COVID-19.
A friend or family member can pick up food for you.
If you don’t have someone to pick up food for you or you cannot come on Tuesdays, call the prevention services team at (617) 533-2228. We will do our best to help you.
Please note, the Fresh Truck has temporarily stopped its marketplace at Daniel Driscoll – Neponset Health Center during the Food Pantry.
About the Food Pantry
The Food Pantry at Daniel Driscoll – Neponset Health Center is open to everyone. Patients of all Harbor community health centers and members of the community are all welcome. Financial eligibility requirements apply. Pantry clients can attend once per month.
Uninsured Massachusetts residents can now apply for health insurance through the Health Connector up until April 25, even though open enrollment has closed. In order to get coverage for April 1, residents need to apply and have submitted all documentation by March 23. For more information, visit mahealthconnector.org
Comcast is giving up to 2 months of free internet to low-income families to respond to the many school closings and widespread plans for online classes. Sign up through this website: internetessentials.com
Free online learning apps including ABCmouse for students whose schools have closed as a result of COVID-19. A teacher or representative from a child’s school needs to apply and they will then provide information to impacted students. To apply, visit ageoflearning.com/schools
The Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 is a national hotline for immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress from a disaster including the COVID-19 outbreak. It is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, all year.
Tiếng Việt
Nơi Phục Vụ Thức Ăn sẽ mở cửa mỗi Thứ Ba từ 8:30 sáng – 5:00 chiều cho đến khi có thông báo thêm.
Quý vị có thể đến Nơi Phục Vụ Thức Ăn trễ hơn trong ngày để tránh bị xếp hàng vào buổi sáng sớm!
Xin đừng đến Nơi Phục Vụ Thức Ăn nếu quý vị:
Bị bệnh hoặc bị sốt, ho, hoặc khó thở
Có tiếp xúc gần kề với người nào bị nghi là nhiễm hoặc kết quả thử nghiệm bị nhiễm COVID-19
Bạn bè hoặc người trong gia đình có thể đến lấy thức ăn cho quý vị.
Nếu không có ai để lấy thức ăn cho quý vị hoặc quý vị không thể đến vào thứ Ba, xin gọi cho chúng tôi theo số (617) 533-2228. Chúng tôi sẽ cố gắng giúp quý vị.
Xin cảm ơn quý vị cố gắng giúp cho mọi người được khỏe mạnh và an toàn!
Xe rau cải (Fresh Truck) sẽ đóng cửa cho đến khi có thông báo mới.
Ellen Jones Community Dental Center Receives $5K from The Palmer and Jane D. Davenport Foundation
Award will support relocation and expansion efforts and sustain local access to dental care
We’re pleased to share that The Palmer and Jane D. Davenport Foundation awarded Harbor Health $5,000 to support the relocation and expansion of our Ellen Jones Community Dental Center.
“The support from The Palmer and Jane D. Davenport Foundation will help us sustain access to local affordable dental care to everyone on the lower Cape,” explained Chuck Jones, president and CEO of Harbor Health.
“Harbor must raise $300,000 for dental equipment and other critical items needed for patient care at the new location for Ellen Jones– this award gets us closer to that goal.”
Harbor’s Ellen Jones is one of the few dental practices accepting MassHealth for adults on the lower Cape. The dental center sees over 3,300 patients each year and 88% are low income or uninsured. The dental care team provides regular and walk-in emergency dental care for all ages, and the Center also offers help applying for health insurance and a sliding fee scale.
Harbor opened the dental center inside Cape Cod Regional Technical High School (CCT) in 2000 and started a unique collaboration with the school’s dental assisting program. Program students work alongside the dental care team at Ellen Jones, developing the skills they are learning in the classroom.
When CCT moves to its new building this June, Ellen Jones will relocate to Patriot Square in Dennis. In addition to continuing the partnership with CCT’s dental assisting program, the Center will expand to 8 exam rooms and offer more appointments.
If you’re interested in supporting the relocation and expansion efforts for Ellen Jones you can make a donation!
Starting on February 15, the community health center located at 10 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 115, is now open every other Saturday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, for medical and dental appointments.
Call (508) 778 – 5470 to make an appointment. New patients are welcome.
The dental care team provides care for all ages and has appointment openings on Saturday mornings. Families are encouraged to make appointments to get everyone dental care in one convenient trip.
The health center accepts most insurance plans including MassHealth and offers a sliding fee scale for services. The health center accepts MassHealth for dental care for all ages including adults.
Harbor Community Health Center – Plymouth offers kind and caring healthcare services including:
Primary care for ages 2 and up
Recovery services, including Medication for Addiction Treatment
HIV services
Dental exams and cleanings
Dental fillings and oral surgery
Root canals
Dentures/partials
Crowns
Dental emergency care
The health center also offers:
Assistance applying for health insurance and SNAP benefits.
Medical case management and housing assistance for people living with HIV.
An on-site interpreter and access to a language line for people with a preferred language other than English.
To learn more about services at Harbor Community Health Center – Plymouth, visit HHSI.US/Plymouth
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
Show some big love for little teeth with helpful resources for parents and caregivers
National Children’s Dental Health Month this February! Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, it’s still very important to keep them healthy.
Baby teeth help kids chew, talk, and smile. They hold the space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums.
Decayed teeth can affect a child’s self-esteem, and pain from toothaches can keep them home from school.
Dental cavities, also known as tooth decay, is still the single most common chronic childhood disease in the United States.
Fortunately, tooth decay is preventable!
Show some love for little teeth the February by helping kids develop good dental health habits at an early age! Here are three things parents and caregivers can do…
#1 Get It From The Tap
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the community water fluoridation program in the U.S. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element in water. Fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride found in water to achieve the best prevention of tooth decay.
Fluoride in water helps prevent cavities so if your community has fluoridated water, make sure to have the kids in your life get water from the tap!
#2 Follow the 2-2-2 Rule
The dental care team recommends all children see a dentist before their first birthday. And all children should see a dentist TWO times a year and brush with a fluoride toothpaste TWO times a day for TWO minutes!
Need help finding affordable dental care? We can help! Harbor Health offers dental services at all of our locations. We accept MassHealth and can help parents and caregivers apply for insurance.
We also have a sliding scale of fees to make sure everyone can get the care they need.
Make sure to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss once a day. If the kids in your life see you doing it, they are much more likely to follow the same healthy habits.
You can also download the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness’s oral health tips for families:
The event will take place on Saturday, February 8, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.
During the event, the team will provide free dental services to children ages 1-17.
Free services will include:
Dental exams
Dental cleanings
Fluoride treatments
Sealants
Space is limited and services are by appointment only.
Please call one of the health centers below and say you want to make an appointment during “Give Kids A Smile.”
Geiger Gibson Community Health Center
250 Mount Vernon Street
Dorchester, MA Call (617) 288-1140 to make an appointment at Geiger Gibson
Harbor Community Health Center – Hyannis
735 Attucks Lane
Hyannis, MA Call (508) 778-5420 to make an appointment at Harbor Community Health Center – Hyannis
What is Give Kids A Smile?
Give Kids A Smile is a national program of the American Dental Association. The program is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of oral health and the staggering number of children who don’t have access to care. As part of the program, thousands of dentists and volunteers across the country donate their time to provide free care for kids.
Annual program events kick off during National Children’s Dental Health Month in February.
“During Harbor’s Give Kids A Smile event, kids in our local community will have the chance to come in to see a dentist. We want to help every kid keep their teeth healthy and strong,” explained Dr. Matt Horan, executive director of dental services at Harbor Health.
“We’ll also offer parents and caregivers resources such as help with applying for insurance. We want to make sure everyone in the family continues to maintain good oral and overall health.”
Other options for pediatric dental care
Our pediatrics practice at Daniel Driscoll – Neponset Health Center has a weekly pediatric dental clinic. The clinic takes place on Thursdays, 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm.
