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American Heart Month is celebrated each February in an effort to educate people on cardiovascular health and encourage heart-healthy habits. People of all ages, genders, and ethnicities need to be aware of the many risk factors that can lead to heart disease, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use. But it is also important to note that it's never too late to take proactive steps to improve your heart health. Click here to learn more about your risk for heart disease and here to see what steps you can take to improve your heart health. Go to aging.maryland.gov/pages/nutrition for more information on health promotion and disease prevention for older adults in Maryland, including evidence-based programs and other health resources available across the state. You can also join the Maryland Department of Aging and Wear Red on February 3, 2023 to bring greater attention to heart disease and encourage others to implement heart-healthy habits.
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On National Family Caregivers Day, we invite you to join the Maryland Department of Aging in honoring the selfless work of those who give endlessly of their own time and energy to help others live better lives. While we appreciate caregivers every day, Friday, February 17 is a special day set aside to thank the professional caregivers who assist America’s most vulnerable citizens as well as unpaid caregivers who are making a big difference in the lives of elderly friends, family, and neighbors. A simple gesture like words of gratitude or a small gift can go a long way in letting an over-worked caregiver know that providing care and comfort to the neediest among us is appreciated. If you are or know a caregiver who is experiencing depression, anxiety, or stress, services are available through the Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program. Click here to learn more about how to help family and informal caregivers care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible, delaying the need for costly institutional care.
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 Has someone used your personal information to open accounts, steal your tax refund, or file fake health insurance claims? That’s identity theft. It can happen to anyone, but older adults are at greater risk of theft and financial exploitation due to a variety of reasons, including cognitive or physical decline, an accumulated wealth in savings accounts, fixed incomes, or social security benefits. Furthermore, older adults may not as readily identify a potential risk. In fact, hundreds of cases of financial exploitation of older and vulnerable adults are reported in Maryland each year, and this is estimated to be only a fraction of the thousands of cases that go unreported in our state. Click here to learn more about the various types and signs of financial exploitation for older adults. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its partners are hosting a variety of free podcasts, webinars, Facebook Live interviews, and other events focused on avoiding and recovering from identity theft and other scams. Click here for a list of events or go to IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and develop a personal recovery plan.
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