Happy PRIDE Month!

The Maryland Department of Aging is proud to support the LGBTQIA+ community and honor the older adults who have served as pioneers, paving the way for today's LGBTQIA+ population, fighting for equal justice, and advocating for policy change.

"Pride Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the collective strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community," said Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques. "It is also a great time to reiterate our commitment to supporting the older LGBTQIA+ community so they can enjoy a healthy and rewarding later life.​​​​​"

To celebrate the progress in LGBTQIA+ rights and center joy within the community, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and the Maryland Commission on LBGTQ Affairs are hosting a virtual panel discussion on June 6, 12-1pm. Click here to register. Find additional LGBTQIA+ resources for older adults, families, and caregivers at aging.maryland.gov.

Gov. Moore Proclaims June 15th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Maryland

Governor Wes Moore has proclaimed June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) in Maryland to promote dialogue and action on the issue of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques will present Gov. Moore's Proclamation on June 10th at AARP's PROTECT Week kick-off press conference in Annapolis, MD. If you suspect abuse or neglect of a resident living in a long-term care facility, contact your local Ombudsman through the Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities and will work to resolve problems of individual residents and improve residents' care and quality of life. Ombudsmen services are always free and confidential. For information on WEEAD events or to learn more about how to identify or prevent abuse, fraud, and neglect, visit aging.maryland.gov.

June Consumer Protection Campaigns

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: June 3-9

Medicare fraud costs an estimated $60 billion per year, in addition to causing stress, compromising medical identities, and negatively impacting health for Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary, start the week by learning how to read your Medicare statements, including your Medicare Summary Notice and Explanation of Benefits. If you need help understanding your statements or find suspected fraud, contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) counselor for free, confidential assistance. To learn more about protecting yourself or your loved ones from Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse or locate an SMP counselor, visit aging.maryland.gov/SMP.

PROTECT Week: June 10-17

PROTECT Week is an annual campaign that shines a spotlight on financial exploitation, the consequences for victims and families, and how to protect yourself or your loved ones. Financial fraud can take many forms, including investment scams, government imposter scams, and sweetheart scams. Scammers can be strangers or someone you know and trust, like caregivers and even family members.

One way to protect yourself is to properly dispose of sensitive personal documents, like bank and investment statements. Several local organizations across the state are hosting free document  shredding events during June in honor of PROTECT Week. To find a shredding event near you or learn more about PROTECT Week events, visit aging.maryland.gov.

Click here to download Recognizing and Preventing Financial Fraud: A Guide for Older Adults

Maryland to Participate in Cross-State Caregiving Collaborative

Maryland was one of nine states chosen by ADvancing States to participate in their Cross-State Caregiving Collaborative, an initiative to help states develop practices and policies that integrate family caregivers and direct care workers. Improving the connection between these two critical groups has the potential to improve the lives of paid and unpaid caregivers, as well as the people they care for.

Through this new initiative, Maryland will join ADvancing States members and others in the aging and disability networks from Arizona, California, Idaho, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah to share insights and learn from top national leaders and experts in this area about factors contributing to the care workforce shortage, including low wages, lack of benefits, and limited opportunities for career growth.

The demand for home and community-based services is expected to climb as the population of older adults grows. The Department of Aging’s multisector plan for aging, Longevity Ready Maryland, aims to ensure equal access to care and services so no one is left behind. To learn more about the Cross-State Caregiving Collaborative, go to advancingstates.org. To learn more about Longevity Ready Maryland, visit LRM.Maryland.Gov.

Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is observed in June to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, advocate for continued research, and educate on ways to reduce the chance of dementia.  Here are a few tips to keep your mind and body healthy:  Maintain a healthy diet: Good nutrition can reduce inflammation in the body and brain. Keep your brain stimulated: Engaging in a hobby and staying connected with friends can help you stay sharper. Get regular exercise: Even moderate exercise like a brisk walk can improve your mental health. Take medications as directed: Doing so maximizes the benefits of prescribed medications and improves health outcomes.  Be good to your brain and your brain will be good to you. Talk to your doctor about a screening if you have questions about your memory or thinking.​​​​​  For more information on Brain Health, visit aging.maryland.gov. If you are a caregiver in need of caregiver and dementia support, visit our Caregiver and Dementia Support page​. To learn more about caregiver supports offered in your area, contact Maryland Access Point at 1-844-MAP-LINK (1-844-627-5465) or marylandaccesspoint.211md.org.

Healthy Aging Funding Opportunity

The Maryland Department of Aging is currently accepting grant applications from not-for-profit and local government agencies to support low-income older Marylanders in community housing settings to improve healthy lifestyles and prevent the need to transition to higher levels of care.

“Marylanders are living longer, healthier lives, and the number of older adults who could benefit from healthy aging programs is expected to increase in the coming years,” said Secretary Roques. “As we shift toward more creative and innovative models of care, this is a great opportunity for local partners to contribute to safe and healthy aging for older adults in underserved communities.”

Preference will be given to programs that serve individuals who belong to historically marginalized populations, such as persons of color, members of religious minorities, LGBTQIA+ persons, persons with disabilities, persons who live in rural areas, and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. To learn more visit aging.maryland.gov.