Q: I live in Dracut and have been getting services from your agency. The homemaker helps me with personal care, housekeeping and shopping. My daughter told me she read in the paper you are merging with another agency this summer. Can I still get my services?
A: Your daughter is right! We are very excited to announce Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, and North Shore Elder Services has signed a legal agreement to merge on July 1, 2019. I will be the chief executive officer (CEO) for the combined agency starting July 1. We will be serving 28 communities in the Northeast region of Massachusetts.
We recognize this change will have an impact on thousands of individuals we work with in unique ways. We have plans in place for those changes, but our key goal is to ensure the well-being of all involved through this transition. This is most important for the consumers and families we serve, but also our staff, volunteers, colleagues and our partners. Let me reassure you that you will continue to receive the services you rely on after July 1. There will not be any change in your service plan, schedule or staff because of this merger.
The agency will continue to operate out of both the Lawrence and North Shore/Danvers office. Services from Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley will continue in the 23 cities and towns we currently serve including Dracut. We will now expand into the communities of Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody and Salem. For now, both agencies will retain their names to keep continuity for our customers. We want this transition to go as smoothly as possible and anticipate it will take at least two years for this integration to truly happen.
This is an exciting time for both agencies! This merger allows us to efficiently use our resources and build on our strengths. It gives us more opportunities for collaboration and to integrate our purpose and passions to ensure the quality of services for everyone we serve. We welcome the challenge and look forward to working together to make one united and strong agency.
Are you struggling caring for an older adult or having difficulty locating resources? Our staff is available for a no-cost consultation, set up at your convenience, to help guide you through your caregiving experience. For more details or to schedule an appointment, please call 800-892-0890.
Do you have a question? We encourage inquiries and comments from our readers. Please direct your correspondence to ageinfo@esmv.org or Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc., Age Information Department, 280 Merrimack Street, Suite 400, Lawrence, MA 01843. Joan Hatem-Roy is the Chief Executive Officer of Elder Services.
