What do you want to be when you grow up? As a child, I would have told you I wanted to be an archeologist so I could study the past and learn lessons from our evolving human experience to someday improve the world.
I wouldn't have imagined that one day I would be part of the Moore-Miller Administration, serving as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging. But here I am, coming out of a short retirement after working for four decades in the senior living sector. I'm still as curious as that 8 year old, continuing to learn about our history and understanding how that knowledge can inform us as we work to create a more just and equitable future where Marylanders live long, healthy, financially secure, socially connected, and purposeful lives.
Part of my mission over the past year in office has been to educate Marylanders on how aging is changing across America and the urgent need to prepare for longer lives. Our diverse 60-plus population is projected to grow faster than any other age group, with older adults outnumbering the younger generation for the first time in history by 2035.
At the Department of Aging, and through the Longevity Ready Maryland initiative, we believe living longer is a phenomenon that can be explored, understood, appreciated, and for which we should plan.
Without diminishing the challenges that come with aging, it's time for us to complete the story around living longer in America and recognize the beauty and benefits that older people bring to the economic and social fabric of our society. It's time to pause, reevaluate our biases, and question our assumptions about what older people can do, be, and contribute in today's world.
I still ask myself, "What do I want to be when I grow up - all the way up?" What does a good life look like at 75, 85, or even 100? It's impossible to plan each phase and chapter, but I hope to never lose sight of the fact that living longer is about having a life and not just being alive. I invite you to join me in the ongoing work to end ageism, advance equity, and change the mindset around the possibilities, opportunities, and potential provided by getting older.
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have chosen Maryland to participate in a federal initiative to address common issues surrounding housing faced by at-risk older adults, people with disabilities, people with mental health and substance use disorders, and people with other chronic medical conditions.
Maryland was one of eight states and D.C. chosen to participate in the "Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator," which aims to strengthen partnerships across housing, disability, aging, and health sectors; access available federal programs and resources to reduce homelessness; and maximize federal flexibilities to help keep people healthy and out of the hospital.
“We are thrilled that Maryland has the opportunity to learn from our federal partners and states across the country to help us better assist older Medicaid participants to access housing with integrated support services,” said Secretary Roques. "Participation in this program underscores Maryland's unwavering commitment to addressing regional disparities in poverty and takes a giant stride in extending our ongoing Longevity Ready Maryland initiative. Together, we can adopt practices and align services that prepare our state to meet the evolving needs of a growing older population."
With guidance and support from HHS and HUD, the Maryland Department of Aging, Department of Health, Department of Disabilities, and Department Housing and Community Development will work together to improve coordination and delivery of service navigation, case management, transition assistance, home modifications, and other services that can help people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness to obtain and maintain stable housing. Click here to learn more.
Last month, the Administration for Community Living issued a final rule designed to modernize the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA).
"The recent updates reflect the increased needs of a nearly-doubled older adult population since the last major rule change in 1988," said Elouise Mayne, MDOA Assistant Secretary of Grants Administration. "People are living longer and want to stay in their homes and communities as they age, and the new rule will help improve access to services and enhance supports provided through OAA programs."
The Maryland Department of Aging distributes OAA funds to its network of 19 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the state that support a wide array of programs and services designed to help older people live independently. OAA funded programs include information and referral services, congregate and home-delivered meals, health and wellness programs, in-home care, transportation, elder abuse prevention, caregiver support, and adult day care.
While the rule officially takes effect this month, the department will be working closely with the AAAs over the next year and half to clarify policies and expectations to be fully compliant by the October 1, 2025 deadline. Learn more at acl.gov.
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Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias represent a growing public health crisis across the nation.
Recognizing the unique needs of those living with dementia and their caregivers, the Geriatrics & Gerontology Education and Research Program at University of Maryland, Baltimore is hosting a Maryland Department of Aging funded series of five webinars and two in-person conferences over the next few months. All sessions are FREE and open to the public.
The new professional development and community educational series, Navigating Dementia, will provide valuable knowledge, resources, and support on topics related to aging, cognitive health, dementia care, and caregiving in Maryland. Aging services professionals, caregivers of persons living with dementia, and anyone with an interest in matters concerning older adults may register for free. Click here to register or here to download an informational flyer. For more information, contact ggear@umaryland.edu.
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The Maryland Department of Aging is pleased to congratulate six non-profit organizations that have been awarded a total of $134,000 for programs supporting people with dementia and those caring for them.
The funds will be used to implement comprehensive home- and community-based supportive services, improve coordination of care, and expand opportunities for social support to maximize the health and autonomy for those living with dementia.
“Supporting people with dementia and their caregivers helps maintain dignity and keeps older adults with dementia independent in the community - a much preferred and less expensive alternative to institutional nursing home care,” said Mark Tesoro, MDOA Cognitive and Behavioral Health Specialist.
Currently in Maryland, 110,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, a number projected to increase to 130,000 by 2025, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Additionally, 247,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Maryland, providing an estimated $8.1 billion of unpaid care.
Click here to learn more about the grant awards and how they will be used.
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Not happy with your Medicare Advantage Plan? You can still make a change! Miss your initial enrollment period? Now is your chance to enroll!
March 31st is an important deadline if you're eligible for Medicare. Every year there are two Medicare Enrollment Periods from January 1 - March 31:
- The Medicare General Enrollment Period is for those who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and want to enroll in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance).
- The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is for those already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan who want to switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or to go back to Original Medicare.
Remember, your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is available to offer free, non-biased assistance on enrolling for Medicare. For more information go to aging.maryland.gov/SHIP, Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
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The Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame (MSCHF) is seeking nominees for outstanding older volunteers of 2024.
If you know a Maryland resident age 65 or older who is making a significant difference through volunteer work, please take a moment to nominate them.
Nominees must be active volunteers serving in any one or combination of the following areas:
- Providing educational or humanitarian service;
- Making efforts to improve the lives of all;
- Advocating on the behalf of older people;
- Demonstrating leadership.
The nomination filing deadline is April 15th, and recipients will be notified and recognized in October 2024. Nomination forms can be found at mschf.org, or email mschf.mail@verizon.net for more information.
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March 1st is National Wheelchair Day. We want to take this opportunity to thank Maryland resident Patrick O'Malley for testifying during the 2024 Maryland Legislative Session on continuing to fund the Maryland Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Re-Use program.
After a tragic swimming accident in Ocean City that resulted in a spinal cord injury, O'Malley needed an advanced power wheelchair, a powered Hoyer lift, and a home hospital bed. When his insurance was unable to provide the equipment, the DME Re-Use program provided each of the pieces of equipment to Mr. O'Malley at no cost.
Learn more about DME Re-Use and view a video of Mr. O'Malley's testimony at dme.maryland.gov.
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 The Maryland Department of Aging invites you to celebrate National Nutrition Month!
This year's theme, "Beyond the Table," addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets. It's also a great time to evaluate your food choices and work to develop healthy eating and physical activity habits.
In honor of National Nutrition Month, many Area Agencies on Aging are hosting special events throughout March. Go to aging.maryland.gov to see what's taking place in your community.
 National Consumer Protection Week is a time to help people understand their consumer rights and avoid frauds and scams. The Federal Trade Commission and partner organizations are offering several virtual events open to the public throughout the week on topics such as avoiding scams, preventing identity theft, and reporting fraud. Click here for a list of events. Click here to learn more about scams and fraud targeting older adults.
National Poison Prevention Week runs from March 17-23 this year, reminding us that the Maryland Poison Center is a great resource for Marylanders of all ages.
While many parents of little kids call the poison center if their child has ingested something toxic, the Maryland Poison Center is also available to assist older adults and their caregivers who may have experienced unintentional medication errors, accidents with non-pharmaceutical substances, adverse reactions, and more.
Some of the common reasons older adults have reached out to the Maryland Poison Center include:
- Taking medication twice
- Taking the wrong medication
- Taking the incorrect dose
- Using the incorrect dosing route
- Taking someone else’s medication
- Taking medication too close together
When you call the Maryland Poison Center, you receive free and confidential health treatment advice from pharmacists and nurses trained in poison information. During National Poison Prevention Week, program the Maryland Poison Center number into your phone: 1-800-222-1222. Find additional resources at mdpoison.com.
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