Politics & Government

DA Morrissey and Norwood Hospital Talk Safety and Wellness with Seniors

Representatives spoke specifically to seniors.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey teamed with Norwood Hospital for a regional Senior Summit addressing wellness and prescription drug safety with residents of Canton, Walpole, Sharon and Foxboro last week.

“Experience shows us that when seniors become isolated or infirm, that is when they are more likely to become targets for caregiver abuse or those looking to take advantage,” District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said. “Working with Norwood Hospital and local Councils on Aging to focus on wellness, on staying connected and staying strong is a natural partnership for us.”

Norwood Hospital Family Medicine Physician, Dr. Timothy Lowney discussed how to work with your primary care physician to improve your health.  He was joined by outpatient physical therapy supervisor Barbara Brierley, dietician Linda Davenport, Chief Operating Officer Mark Johnson and other hospital staff. “Norwood Hospital is committed to improving access to health care for our communities,” Norwood Hospital President Emily Holliman said. “In particular, primary care physicians who are taking the lead in patient’s overall health by coordinating care.”

Find out what's happening in Sharonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

District Attorney Morrissey and members of his staff, including a pharmacist working with his office on prescription drug abuse issues, closed the program with an hour-long panel discussion on the current crisis of opiate pain medication addiction and abuse, focusing on the difference seniors can make through proper storage and disposal of the drugs that come to them through legitimate means.

“Seniors may be prescribed various medications by different medical specialists to improve their health.  It is important for patients to keep these medications in a secure place in their homes, manage them with their doctor and safely dispose of them when they are no longer needed,” added Holliman.

Find out what's happening in Sharonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police Chief Joseph Bernstein and Safety Officer Steven Fontes were also on hand at the Sharon Community Center for a mobile drug take back event, collecting medication attendees no longer needed for safe destruction.

Thanks to a partnership between local police and District Attorney Morrissey, permanent drug collection containers are situated in the lobby of the police stations in Walpole, Sharon, Norwood and dozens of other area towns available every hour of ever day – no questions asked.


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