Senior News: Learn About Free Computers, Rides for Older Adults, Job Search Support and More

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 07/29/2022 02:17 PM EDT

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Free Computers for Residents Wanting to More Fully Engage with the Community 
Montgomery County Government received a federal grant to provide 40,000 computers to any County resident (including non-U.S. citizens) age 7 and older without access to a computer. Computers may be used for these purposes: education; learning a language; learning to use a computer and the internet; looking up information online; and other learning purposes. 

Chromebook computers will be distributed at several county libraries. A resident must have a library card to make an appointment to pick up their computer and must show photo ID at pick-up. Please click here to register. The window to make appointments opens on Sundays at 2:00 pm. 

The computers do not come with software or anti-virus protection, but Google Chromebooks automatically load computer updates. For older adults who need training to set up email and learn to use the computer, the County offers courses for people 50 years and older at Senior Planet Montgomery in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.  Here are instructions if you need help to set up a Google Gmail account in English and Spanish. 

Free or discounted home or mobile phone internet is available to low-income individuals and families enrolled in benefit programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and SSI through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Please click here for Frequently Asked Questions.

For more information about the County’s digital equity programs, go to Montgomery Connects.

New Universal Three-Digit Dialing Code for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis
988 went live nationwide on Saturday, July 16, 2022.  SAMSHA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) administers the new “988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline” which replaces the current toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). The pre-existing 10-digit number will remain active and will connect callers to the new 988 Lifeline.


The 988 Lifeline is designed to become a simple alternative to both 911 and the existing 1-800 number. One of the goals of the new number is to reduce the use of 911 for suicide and mental health crises, because calling 911 in such situations too often results in inadequate or inappropriate intervention by the police or unnecessary hospitalization or incarceration. Calling 988 instead will direct the caller to representatives specifically trained in the management of suicide risk and other mental health crises. 


This simplified tool is critical for older adults and those living with a disability because such individuals are at greater risk for mental health crises and suicide. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers a simpler and more effective way for older adults and those living with disabilities to access help in the event of a mental health crisis.

 

Some helpful tips about using Lifeline: 

*After dialing 988, a caller in need of the Veterans Crisis Line can then press “1” to be routed to that resource, while a caller in need of assistance in Spanish can press “2.” Interpretation through Language Line Solutions is also available in over 250 other languages.

*People who are deaf or hard of hearing can access TTY by dialing 711 then 1-800-273-8255 or using their preferred relay service. Lifeline is in the process of expanding to video phone service.

*Lifeline also offers services through chat and text (in English only).

 

Ride On Resume Collecting Fares on August 1st but Older Adults, Kids and People with Disabilities Continue to Ride Free
To receive free rides on Ride On, flash the driver a Senior SmarTrip or Medicare card. SmarTrip cards are available at any County library, among other locations.

COVID-19 Tests for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
On June 23, 2022, the Administration launched a new program to expand the availability of at-home COVID-19 tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. The program has now begun providing 12 test kits with each order, up from 2 kits when it launched. People who placed an order before July 7th and received two kits can place a second order now. These accessible tests are free and can be obtained by calling 1-800-232-0233.  Get more information from the Administration for Community Living or by calling the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm or email DIAL.