Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has been contracted by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE), to support the provision of services through the Older Americans Act to the 11 South Shore Elder Services (SSES) communities: Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Milton, Norwell, Quincy, Randolph, Scituate, and Weymouth. Additionally, OCPC is taking on support of the Ombudsman program in those same communities.

In August 2026, SSES announced they would discontinue its AAA services effective for dates of service after September 30, 2026. Following the announcement, AGE entered into a contract with OCPC to support Older Americans Act services and functions in the South Shore area. AGE and OCPC will work together with the Aging Services Access Point serving the South Shore area, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), as well as with local Councils on Aging, and other community partners to ensure continuity of services for older adults and individuals with disabilities on the south shore.

The transition also includes the Ombudsman program which serves 11 communities in the SSES region, as well as Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Millis, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Westwood, and Wrentham.  The mission of the Ombudsman is to provide advocacy for residents in nursing homes, rest homes, and assisted living residences. To support this work, OCPC welcomes two former SSES Ombudsman staff members to its team.  

While operations will transition to OCPC, residents, and community partners can continue to access the same dedicated, experienced staff and services they have relied on. For more information, please visit www.oldcolonyplanning.org/AAA. 

Important Information

• Phone Lines:
  

  • The Ombudsman line service the former South Shore Elder Services catchment area will remain the same: (781) 930-0200

• OCPC’s Role:
  

  • Ombudsman Services: OCPC will provide Ombudsman services to the 23 South Shore Elder Service communities. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen advocate for and support the rights and well-being of residents in nursing homes and assisted living communities.
  • Administrative Support for Older Americans Act Services: OCPC will provide administrative oversight for the Title III grant funded through the Older Americans Act (OAA) for the South Shore area.

• Additional Resources:
  

  • OCES will continue its in-home and community-based services to older adults and people living with disabilities throughout Southeastern MA. Since July 1, 2026, OCES has been the Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) for the South Shore area. OCES will also provide support for certain Older Americans Act services in the South Shore service area in conjunction with OCPC.
    

    • Website: www.ocesma.org
    • Phone Number: (508) 584-1561

  • OCPC will continue to update resources on the website and our new multilingual, accessible information texting line.
    

    • Website: www.oldcolonyplanning.org/AAA
    • Phone Number: (508) 583-1833
    • Texting Line Phone Number: (508) 436-4223

  • Older adults, families, caregivers, and community members can continue to access resources through OCPC, their local Council on Aging, OCES, and AGE.

    For information about services available statewide, you may also contact MassOptions.

    • Website: www.massoptions.org
    • Phone Number: 1 (800) 243-4636