Letter from Department of Aging

Rona E. Kramer Secretary, Maryland Department of Aging

Dear Marylanders,

Do you know that there are more Marylanders over the age of 62 than there are children in the school system? By the year 2030, seniors, like me, will comprise 26 percent of the State’s population. At the Maryland Department of Aging, we are changing the standard trajectory of aging. We don’t want our residents to wait for that fall, fraud or inability to maintain a home that forces them to move into an assisted living facility or a nursing home, where the average person “spends down” their assets within two years. We are committed to providing new and innovative ways to help Marylanders age in place.

We launched the first in the nation, statewide program called Senior Call Check (see article on p. 106). This free program is designed to check on the well-being of older adults. All Maryland residents, 65 and older, are invited to sign up for a daily call at a time convenient to their lifestyle. If, after three attempts, the participant does not answer, an alternate person (designated by the participant) will be notified. If no alternate is designated, local non-emergency services will be contacted. This program is an essential service to prevent someone from languishing on the floor after a fall or other calamity.

Another first in the nation program, Maryland Community for Life SM (CFL) is available in many areas of the State and expanding statewide (see article on p. 101). CFL SM brings you a package of non-medical services that make it easy to stay in your home. In exchange for a small membership fee (most of the cost is born by the State of Maryland and a generous non-profit), our members receive home maintenance services, assistance in navigating available services, and transportation. By providing these services, we reduce the risk of falls, fraud and isolation.

Our team is dedicated to supporting all older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their loved ones by providing access to information about services available in the community. Please check out all of the resources on our website, aging.maryland.gov, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram @MarylandAging.

Sincerely,

Rona E. Kramer

Secretary, Maryland Department of Aging