Innovative Initiative Supports Best Practice for Aging Well in Place

Haverhill & Lynn, MA – Element Care, a non-profit, health care organization
serving adults 55 and older, has opened a new on-site medical office at Bethany Community Services’
Merrivista campus at 100 Water Street in Haverhill. This partnership creates a valuable linkage
between senior housing and senior healthcare services to help older adults age-in-place with access to
high quality medical and supportive services right where they live.
“Since 1965, we’ve stayed true to our mission of providing affordable housing for seniors where
they can age-in-place in a supportive environment,” said Jered Stewart, President and CEO at
Bethany Community Services. “Establishing an innovative partnership with Element Care and
offering an on-site medical office allows us to enhance and elevate the supportive services we offer
for seniors in our community.”
The new medical office will be dedicated to treating residents of Bethany Communities who enroll
in Element Care’s Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and will be staffed by a
licensed nurse. Medical care and services will include medication reviews, routine vital signs,
vaccinations, wound care, education regarding health concerns and coordination of other care.
“Aging in a services-enriched community is a best practice but identifying the sustainable funding
sources to support it has been a daunting task,” said Robert Wakefield Jr, CEO of Element Care.
“Our partnership with Bethany Community Services, including this new on-site medical office, is
an exciting new initiative that will enable frail elders to get the comprehensive, high quality
healthcare care services they need to age well and live comfortably and safely in their homes for as
long as possible.”
Among the many dignitaries that attended were Elizabeth Chen, Secretary of the Massachusetts
Executive Office of Elder Affairs and Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini, who both spoke at the
grand opening event. State Representative Andy Vargas and State Senator Diana DiZoglio
presented citations congratulating Bethany Community Services and Element Care on the opening
of the on-site medical office. Also in attendance was State Representative Lenny Mirra.
About Element Care
Element Care, founded in 1995, is a non-profit, healthcare organization with a simple mission: to help
people live safely and comfortably in their homes and their communities for as long as they can, keeping
their stays in hospitals and nursing facilities as minimal as possible. Element Care provides complete
health care to eligible people through PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) throughout the
Massachusetts North Shore, the Merrimack Valley and the northeast region of Middlesex County. For more
information, visit www.elementcare.org.
About Bethany Communities
Since 1965, Bethany Community Services, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has led the senior
housing industry by providing affordable, supportive communities where neighbors can age-in-place,
regardless of the financial hardships many seniors face. Through innovative community partnerships and
foundational support, we provide seniors access to wellness services, healthy meals, transportation, and
life-enriching programs. Collaborations with local businesses, public schools, universities and healthcare
providers create opportunities for us to keep our seniors healthy, independent, and engaged with the
greater community around them

Jered Stewart-President and CEO Bethany Community Services, Robert Wakefield Jr.-CEO
Element Care, Elizabeth Chen-Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder
Affairs, Lenny Mirra-State Representative & Andy Vargas-State Representative
For more information about Element Care, please call 877-803-5564, or visit
www.elementcare.org.
For more information about Bethany Community Services, please call 978.374.2160, or visit
www.bethanycommunities.org.