I'd like to wish a happy birthday to the approximately 75,000 Marylanders turning 65 this year - unless you were born on Leap Day, then I hope you enjoy your Sweet Sixteenth on February 29th!
In 2024, we will see the largest surge of Baby Boomers reaching the traditional Medicare-eligible age of 65 in any one year so far.
This milestone, known as Peak-65, highlights the importance of preparing Maryland for the social and economic opportunities of a growing population of older adults.
Governor Wes Moore has recognized the need to plan for the our state's quickly changing demographics by signing an executive order implementing the Longevity Ready Maryland initiative, making the well-being of older Marylanders an urgent and essential priority of his administration.
I'm excited the department will lead this groundbreaking initiative and look forward to working in partnership across government, public, and private sectors to support Gov. Moore's goal to "win the decade" by building a better future for all Marylanders.
Learn more about the Longevity Ready Maryland initiative at aging.maryland.gov.
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 Gov. Moore signed the Longevity Ready Maryland executive order on January 3rd; Pictured from left: MDOA Multisector Planning Director Betty Romero, Deputy Secretary Jennifer Crawley, Governor Wes Moore, Secretary Carmel Roques; Photo credit: Office of Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Did you know your taxes can be prepared and electronically filed for free? Are you unsure of what deductions or credits you may qualify for?
Older adults can receive free, personal one-on-one assistance preparing and filing state tax returns with help from tax experts at 11 Maryland Comptroller branch offices located around the state. The Maryland Comptroller's Office will also send a representative to your senior center, senior living facility, or community group to talk about available tax services and assistance, as well as tips for avoiding tax fraud. Call 1-800-638-2937 or email taxhelp@maryland.gov to request any of these services.
Additionally, several local Area Agencies on Aging offer income tax return preparation assistance in partnership with AARP and the IRS. To learn more, contact AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide Program at https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/ or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers.
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 Each year, the Federal Trade Commission hosts Identity Theft Awareness week during the first week of February to remind us that identity theft can happen to anyone, and there are simple steps you can take to lessen the chance it will happen to you. During tax season, taking steps to protect your personal information is especially important as scammers can use it to file a fraudulent return or claim a refund or credit that belongs to you.
Protecting your personal information, including Social Security, Medicare, bank account, and credit card numbers, is the first step in protecting your identity. You should never provide this information to someone you don't know who calls you on the phone and requests it. This same warning applies to unsolicited emails and any forms you fill out on the Internet. In general, don't give your personal information to anyone unless you initiated the exchange and are sure the caller is legitimate.
If you suspect you are a victim of state tax-related identity theft, contact the Maryland Comptroller's Office at 1-800-638-2937. For federal tax issues contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040. For more resources on financial scams and exploitation, go to https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/elder-financial-exploitation.aspx.
More than 250,000 residents, or 4.2% of Marylanders identify as LGBTQIA+, of which 7% are adults in Maryland aged 65 or older, according to UCLA's Williams Institute.
While positive strides have been made, LGBTQIA+ older adults often face an array of unique barriers and inequalities that can stand in the way of a healthy and rewarding life in the later years.
If you identify as LGBTQIA+ and are 50 years or older, please consider taking this survey from the Sage Center of Excellence: https://sageusa.tfaforms.net/4664094. Sage (Services & Advocacy for LGBTQIA+ Elders), in partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Public Health, is conducting the nationwide survey through mid-February to identify what kinds of healthcare and related services may be important for LGBTQIA+ older people from diverse backgrounds.
Additionally, the Positive Aging Community, which publishes the Guide to Retirement Living, will host a virtual "LGBTQ Elders: Open Discussion" on Tuesday, February 6th at 3:00pm. To learn more or register, go to https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/events/lgbtq-elders-open-discussion.
For more resources supporting LGBTQIA+ older adults, their families, and caregivers, go to the Maryland Department of Aging's newly created LGBTQIA+ webpage at https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/LGBTQElders.aspx.
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Maryland has been selected to receive intensive technical assistance to improve access to long term services and supports, including person-centered care at home and in the community.
ADvancing States, a national nonprofit association for state government departments on aging and disabilities, will work with the Maryland Department of Aging and the Maryland Department of Health over the next 18 months to better coordinate services, promote awareness, and develop a quality assurance and sustainability plan that builds provider capacity and reduces waitlist times.
“As the cost of care increases and access to home care workers declines nationwide, older Marylanders are struggling to find long term care services that are accessible, affordable, coordinated, and unique to their individual needs,” said Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques. “With support from ADvancing States, our state-funded long term care options and Maryland Access Point screening will be refined to better prioritize and meet the needs of the growing population of older people who need assistance to remain healthy at home.”
To access information about long term care options, click here to find your local Maryland Access Point office or call 1-844-627-5465. Click here to learn more about the technical assistance being provided by ADvancing States.
The Mental Health Association of Maryland is pleased to announce a new session available through the Engage with® Skills Training Program on "Understanding Substance Use and Medication Misuse" in the older adult population.
The 2-hour class is offered in partnership with the Department of Aging to provide free communications and skills training to Maryland professionals across all sectors who interact or engage with older people in their line of work.
Participants will learn how to identify risk factors and signs of substance use and medication misuse, as well as how to communicate concerns and support older adults to make informed decisions. The class will also cover the special needs of older adults who use substances and explain the long-term effects, even when the substance is no longer being used. Click here to learn more or sign up for classes.
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The Maryland Department of Aging is pleased to congratulate six non-profits that have been awarded grants to support the health and autonomy of those experiencing dementia and the caregivers who take care of them.
A total of $134,000 has been awarded to help implement comprehensive home- and community-based supportive services, improve coordination of care, and expand opportunities for social support for those with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias.
These grants are part of a larger initiative in Maryland to enhance quality, access, and coordination of dementia care and support to caregivers through strategies outlined in the Maryland State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: 2022-2026. For a complete list of organizations awarded funding go to aging.maryland.gov.
Did you know adults ages 50-plus now own tech devices, including smart phones and computers, at the same rate as those ages 18-49? The numbers are expected to grow as the number of older adults continues to climb, according to an AARP report released last month.
The report notes that although many older adults have incorporated some type of digital service into their lives, most still only use basic digital services for internet browsing, online shopping, and communicating with others via email and text. The report points out that half of older adults recognize technology can be used to enable a healthy life.
The Maryland Department of Aging, through its network of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), offers a variety of innovative programs designed to support older adults in learning and using technology and advancing digital equity and inclusion, a high priority of the Moore-Miller Administration.
For example, the Baltimore County Department of Aging provides available devises to low-income families, as well as internet discounts and online and in-person tech support and training; the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence has certified Digital Inclusion Specialists available to advocate for increased access to technology for residents and to teach skills to residents as part of its Age-Friendly Action Plan. To see what may be available in your community, contact your local AAA or Maryland Access Point at 1-844-627-5465.
On a national level, the Federal Communications Commission will stop accepting new applications and enrollments for its Affordable Connectivity Program on February 7, 2024. Learn more at https://www.fcc.gov/acp.
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 American Heart Month is celebrated each February to encourage heart-healthy habits and educate people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities on cardiovascular health and the risk factors that can lead to heart disease, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use.
People age 65 and older are more likely than younger people to suffer a heart attack, have a stroke, or develop coronary heart disease and heart failure. But it's never too late to take proactive steps to improve your heart health!
Contact your local senior center to find out about evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs, such as chronic disease management classes and exercise programs to promote cardiovascular health, available in your area.
Though we were teased by warmer weather at the end of last month, we are still in the midst of winter and could experience more snowstorms or other severe weather-related events.
To help older adults and their caregivers be prepared for possible weather-related and other disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has developed a Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults.
The guide provides easy-to-read, user-friendly worksheets that walk individuals and caregivers through a self-assessment to identify specific needs and checklists that create a personalized plan.
This guide was created as part of FEMA's partnership with the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, which recognizes the critical role caregivers play in protecting our nation’s older adult community. Visit Ready.gov/Older-Adults to download the free guide or access more preparedness resources.
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