Senior services

Centers and programs help with healthy aging

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The mission of the St. Mary's County Department of Aging is to provide an array of programs and services to the senior community that foster continued physical and mental good health and promote healthy aging within the senior community. The department consists of three major divisions: senior center operations, home- and community-based services and senior information and assistance.

For general information about the department of aging, contact 301-475-4200, ext. 1050, or visit www.stmarysmd.com/aging.

Senior Rides

For St. Mary's County residents who are 60 or older, the Senior Rides Program provides door-to-door transportation to medical and social appointments, shopping and basic errands. The program relies on volunteer drivers from the local community. Drivers receive training and certification, mileage reimbursement and supplemental insurance from the St. Mary's County Department of Aging. The department manages all the ride coordination for the participants as well.

For information on the Senior Rides Program, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1066.

Senior Center Operations

Activities and programs take place within the department's senior activity centers and nutrition sites. Activities and programs are available for participants on a daily basis, as is lunch. Centers are located throughout the county including Leonardtown, Great Mills and Charlotte Hall. Nutrition sites are located in Ridge and Oakley. Older adults are encouraged to join a red hat group or the Senior Lunch Bunch for lunch on the town with friends, take part in yoga, strength training, low-impact aerobics, Wii games, bowling, softball or walking to get in shape, enroll in a LIFE (Learning Is ForEver) class for continued education and socialize with peers while enjoying one of the many trips or other activities that are offered. For information on programs and activities at their community locations, call Alice Allen, division manager, at 301-475-4200, ext. 1063; Kathy Mather, Garvey Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4200, ext. 1072; Joyce Raum, Loffler Senior Activity Center, 301-737-5670, ext. 1656; or MarieNoelle Lautieri, Northern Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4002, ext. 1002.

Meals on Wheels

St. Mary's County has a diversified Meals on Wheels program that helps homebound seniors older than 60 who are in need of nutritious meals. The program is designed to help older adults who are unable, due to surgical recovery, hospitalization or disability, to prepare or obtain healthy meals for themselves. The Meals On Wheels program provides hot or frozen meals to those who qualify depending on location and needs of each client. Meals are delivered by staff members and dedicated volunteers. The program strives to ensure homebound seniors receive a balanced meal and a visit from a friendly face on a daily or weekly basis. If you or someone you know is interested in receiving Meals On Wheels or would like to volunteer to deliver meals, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1060.

Home and community-based services

Home and community-based services include programs and activities that support older adults in their efforts to live independently in the community, including the Medical Adult Day Services program, the Senior Center Plus Program, Medicaid waiver for older adults, caregiver support, respite assistance, the Senior Care program, public guardianship, the ombudsman program and Meals on Wheels.

Medical Adult Day Services program

The Medical Adult Day Services program is a licensed daytime health services program designed to meet the health care and social needs of adults with significant physical or mental impairments. Program clients are typically unable to stay at home by themselves because of physical or mental impairments and have complex health needs that require daily attention. Individuals usually become program clients as a result of a referral by physicians, families and caregivers or other health and social service agencies in the community. Generally, clients meet the same health criteria for program admission as do those persons admitted to long-term nursing homes. The program, therefore, meets the health needs of persons who would otherwise require more expensive nursing home care while permitting them to remain an active part of their community and family. Many program clients are able to have their care covered under the medical adult day services waiver.

The program utilizes a variety of treatment strategies and provides a wide range of health care and social services in a structured, monitored setting. Individualized plans of care are developed by a multi-disciplinary team of health care and social work professionals to meet the restorative and maintenance needs of persons with physical, mental and functional impairments and to assist caregivers in coping with the burden of providing care.

Senior Center Plus Program

The Senior Center Plus Program is an adult day services program, certified by the Maryland Department of Aging, which provides a protective environment and the opportunity for structured socialization for individuals with functional impairments. It is ideal for seniors who do not require the extensive daily health care services provided by Medical Adult Day Services and is, therefore, a less expensive day program. The department of aging has been certified by the Maryland Department of Aging to operate a Senior Center Plus program in its medical adult day service center.

Rights and Advocacy

The rights and advocacy unit includes the ombudsman program, elder abuse prevention, individual rights advocacy and long-term care facility overview. For more information call 301-475-4200, ext. 1061.

Information and assistance

Senior information and assistance staff provides seniors and their families with guidance and referrals to department of aging services, public and private community resources and information regarding assistance programs. Service coordination is available to seniors who require assistance accessing the services they need and applying for programs such as energy assistance, property tax credits and other programs. Limited legal assistance is available to persons age 60 and older through the Legal Aid Bureau. Individuals who receive Medicare benefits can take advantage of the Senior Health Insurance Program, which serves as a local Medicare resource for benefits, enrollment and coverage questions. This free service can also help individuals apply for Medicare Savings Programs, prescription drug coverage, supplement policies and compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. The department, through the Senior Medicare Patrol Program, focuses on educating the public about health care fraud, and reports all suspected cases to the appropriate agency for investigation. Call Debbie Barker at 301-475-4200, ext. 1064.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

The administration and management of a large corps of senior volunteers is another important activity of the department of aging. These volunteers serve under the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, a part of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Retired persons participating in the program are encouraged to use life skills by volunteering to serve the community through its government agencies, schools and nonprofit organizations. Annually, the program provides volunteer opportunities for some 300 seniors who give the community more than 30,000 hours of service. Call 301-737-5670, ext. 1653.

Staying current

Seniors can stay current about upcoming department of aging programs, classes and events by registering to receive the New Beginning newsletter. This can either be mailed or accessed at www.stmarysmd.com/-aging. Call 301-475-4200, ext. 1073.