Best of Care, a family-owned home health and care-management company, gave a detailed presentation to the Nantucket Council on Aging about services available to older residents on the island and in the region.

Erin Lynch, vice president of care management at Best of Care, and Jessica Trimble, director of care management, described in-home personal care, private nursing, care management, move management, durable medical equipment (DME) loans and a mobility/fall-prevention specialist. They said Best of Care operates an office on Nantucket and has staff living year-round on the island to provide local coverage.

Nut graf: The presentation outlined both private-pay services and work the company does under contract with local and regional programs, including support for lower-income clients through Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands and a federal program providing dementia-focused respite services.

Best of Care representatives said the company offers complimentary consults for families and can arrange private nursing and hourly or 24-hour care. “Our goal is to be a one-stop shop and to really make things more streamlined and easier for the client and their families,” Lynch said. The presenters said the firm keeps DME on hand and will loan devices such as walkers or shower chairs for short stays.

Presenters discussed a contract with Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands to provide home care to lower-income clients and described a newer federal program the presenters called Guide, which they said provides dementia-related respite care and care management services to Medicaid-eligible clients.

They also outlined local activities: Best of Care staff run a Nantucket senior service provider networking group, participate in community fairs and plan presentations at Sherburne Commons and the Salt Marsh Senior Center. The presenters said they would provide a simple informational sheet to the council to share with residents and staff.

Council members thanked the presenters and noted that better public awareness of available services could help residents stay on-island longer and reduce unsafe situations.

The presenters asked that council members pass along contact information when they encounter overwhelmed family members; they agreed to email materials to Laura, the council staff contact.