(L-R): Paula Shiner (CEO – Coastline), Natacha Salemme (MMP Director – Coastline), Lucia Rebelo (Retirement Plan Officer – Plimoth Investment Advisors), Julie Ramos Gagliardi (VP Corporate Giving and Community Relations – BayCoast Bank)
It’s an issue most of us will encounter over time. You notice a pile of unpaid bills at an elder family member’s home. Or you realize that a recent illness has left that relative with limited mobility, making trips to the bank difficult. Recognizing the financial-related problems many seniors face, BayCoast Bank has donated $10,000 to Coastline Elderly Services, Inc. Money Management Program.
The Money Management Program was developed to assist low income elders who have difficulty writing checks, balancing their checkbooks and managing their money. The inability of the elders to manage their finances may result from a variety of reasons, including severe forgetfulness, confusion, physical or developmental disabilities, drug or alcohol abuse and mental illness.
Trained, insured, supervised volunteers are carefully matched one-on-one with an elder needing assistance. The volunteer then visits the elder’s home at least once monthly to help keep track of income and expenses, write checks for the program participant to sign and/or balance their check book.
For over 20 years Coastline Elderly Services, Inc., located at 1646 Purchase Street in New Bedford, has provided the Money Management Program to 23 communities targeted to elders who are 60 years of age and older who are low income. Coastline has assisted hundreds of elders who might be at risk of losing their independence due to an inability to pay basic bills on time, elders facing eviction, homelessness and financial exploitation.
“The support from BayCoast Bank is very important for our program because it assists us in carrying out our agency’s mission and ensures that our elders will remain in their own homes and free from financial exploitation by others,” said Natacha Salemme, manager of the Money Management Program.
In addition to Bill Payer services, the Money Management Program offers a Representative Payee service to help elders who are unable to manage their own finances, such as signing checks.
Nicholas Christ, President and CEO of BayCoast Bank, said, “The Money Management Program is one we are particularly privileged to contribute to; Coastline Elderly Services can take pride in this outstanding program.”
About BayCoast Bank
BayCoast Bank is mutually-owned, serving the needs of consumers, businesses, non-profits and municipalities through 20 branches and three loan offices throughout southeastern MA and RI. Additional services are offered through the Bank’s affiliates: BayCoast Financial Services, Plimoth Investment Advisors, Partners Insurance Group, LLC, BayCoast Mortgage Company, LLC, and Priority Funding LLC. Nicholas Christ is the Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Visit www.BayCoastBank.com or call 508-678-7641 or 888-806-2872.
