AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people age 50 years and over to maintain independence, choice and control over their lives through ways that are affordable. Since 1958, AARP has been leading a revolution in the way people view and live their lives. The work of AARP reaches into members’ communities through local chapters in all 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. AARP-KC promotes the well-being of its members as well as the involvement and participation of members in service to the community. AARP members and their spouses are eligible for chapter membership.
KENT COUNTY GATEWAY AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR SENIOR RESOURCES
The following listing of Government and Nonprofit programs should be useful for caregivers both living in Kent County and out of state. Most of the resources identified can be accessed by telephone as well as computer. They also provide one-on-one support by trained counselors by telephone or in person.
AARP-Kent County, Gordon Chapman, President, 410-810-0406, [email protected]
Tax Aide Program: Free tax help to low-and moderate-income taxpayers, especially those 60 and older. aarp.org/taxaide,
Drivers Safety Program,
Triad Crime Prevention Program
Telephone Reassurance
AARP Dental Insurance Plan (in conjunction with AARP.org)
Kent County Health Department
125 South Lynchburg St, Chestertown, 410-778-1350, kenthd.org
Birth and Death Certificates
Adult evaluation and review services, Cathy Dagget, RN-C 410-778-1337
AERS provides on-site professional, comprehensive evaluation by a registered nurse or social worker. The AERS team (social worker and/or nurse) provides a complete medical, psychosocial and environmental assessment. The assessment looks at the person´s ability to handle the basic needs of daily living. The individual is then referred to an appropriate service.
Private duty caregivers
Medical adult day care, Gail Yerke, RN, Director, 410-778-5581
Kent County Medical Adult Day Care is a community-based day program licensed by the State of Maryland for health impaired adults. Our mission is to help our clients remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Qualified and experienced nurses, social workers, activity therapists, and nursing assistants care for each participant. Our professional team consults with clients and caregivers to design personalized plans of care to optimize the quality of each participant´s life. Each plan receives approval from the participant’s physician.
While at the day care center our clients’ medical and social needs will be met by a competent and caring staff including the following services:
Health assessment by a nurse
Social work assistance
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snacks
Help with personal care
Activities: Exercise, bingo and crafts
Entertainment and outings
Transportation to local medical appointments
Medical Assistance Personal Care Program
The Medical Assistance Personal Care Program helps qualified chronically ill or disabled persons remain in their homes by providing assistance with some of the normal activities of daily living. Requirements for eligibility: Eligible for Medical Assistance, Chronically ill, Disabled is under a doctor´s care for a chronic illness or disability, Needs help with simple daily activities, moderately at risk of institutionalization (i.e. nursing home).
Senior fall prevention program, 410-778-1350 x 7108
Medical assistance transportation, 410-778-7025
Chester River Home Care & Hospice: Anne O’Connor, Director, 410-778-1049
Home nursing and aid services
Hospice services
Upper Shore Aging
Patrick Carney, Program Manager, 100 Schauber Rd, Chestertown, 410-778-6000, uppershoreaging.org
Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center, 200 Schauber Rd, Chestertown, 410-778-2564.
Classes, Computer lab, library, meeting rooms, food services.
Senior information and assistance, Stephanie Lindsey, Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center, 200 Schauber Rd, Chestertown, 410-778-2564
Health insurance and assistance program: information and assistance for Medicare, parts A/B/C/D; Medicaid; SSI; SSDI and other federal and state health insurance programs, state and county low income assistance programs, etc.
Assistance, case management and co-ordination services for programs available to seniors.
Accessible Homes for Seniors Program: Operated in conjunction with MD Department of Housing & Community Development, (mdhousing.org), 410-778-6000.
Congregate Housing Program: provides support services and MD State subsidies to eligible residents of low and moderate income senior housing. Provides assistance to those of advanced age or chronic health conditions who need daily help with meals, housekeeping and personal services.
Ombudsman: Addressing resident’s’ rights including, quality of care, involuntary discharges, privacy, food quality, 410-778-6000
Caregiver support group
Adult waiver (Medicaid) program
Spousal impoverishment protection
Respite for caregivers
Kent County Department of Social Services
350 High St, Chestertown, 410-810-7666
Senior Care Program (MD Department of Aging): Provides coordinated, community-based, in-home services to seniors with disabilities. Also provides “gap-filling” funds to pay for services for seniors who may be at risk of nursing home placement. Susan Higgs, Program Manager, 410-810-7666
Long-term Care: Medicaid and Medicaid waiver for older adults, Susan Wright, Case Manager, 410-810-7617
Office of Home Energy Programs: MD Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) and Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) provide subsidies to low income households to reduce electric and fuel bills. Robin Hawthorne, 410-810-7710
MD Department of Assessments and Taxation
Amy Smith, Supervisor of Assessments, 400 High St, 3rd Floor, Chestertown, www.dat.state.md.us
Homeowners Property Tax Credit Program
Renter’s Tax Program
MD Department of Housing & Community
Crownsville, MD, 410-514-7007
Reverse mortgage counseling
Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis Team, 1-888-407-8018 (hotline) 9am-midnight 7 days/week. The mobile crisis team provides service for: People in crisis, mental health issues, substance abuse and intellectual disabilities, crisis interventions, assessments and referrals; emergency petitions, family and marital conflicts, domestic violence.
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INTERNET ACCESSIBLE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT PROGRAMS
AARP provides current information and publications on a full range of topics of concern to senior health and welfare (www.aarp.org)
Caregiving Resource Center: Care Provider Locator, Long-Term Care Calculator
AARP Foundation: Find Help,
Reconnecting those in isolation: Supports research on the problem of isolation and supports solutions for isolated 50+ individuals .
Nurse Healthline is available 24/7 to AARP members with medicare supplement plan coverage by United Healthcare Insurance Company. Nurses provide help to decide if you need medical care, to understand symptoms and to learn about a condition.
Maryland Access Point (MAP) (www.marylandaccesspoint.info) is a “gateway” for older adults and individuals with disabilities. It is a statewide resource for information and assistance about long-term services and supports to allow individuals to remain at home and plan for future needs. State partners include the Maryland Departments of Aging, Disabilities, and Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as the regional Centers for Independent Living. MAP is part of the national Aging and Disability Resource Center initiative that provides a visible and trusted place to access information and assistance.
Maryland State Government (www.md.gov): Get Healthcare
Primary Adult Care (1-800-226-2142): Primary health care for adults 19 years old and older with limited incomes.
Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (1-800-551-5995): Offers additional prescription drug coverage for seniors enrolled in medicare part D.
Maryland’s Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (1-800-243-3425): Maryland Department of Aging—Senior Information and Assistance.
Long Term Services and Waivers (google): For individuals with long-term disabilities or chronic medical conditions that require long term care.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Health Care System (1-800-865-2441): Provides medical assistance for Maryland veterans.
Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans (1-877-245-1762): Provides veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and who are unable to obtain timely services from Veteran Affairs with behavioral health services.
Mental Health Coverage (1-800-888-1965): Provides inpatient and outpatient mental health services for individuals with mental illness and limited incomes.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov): Offers sliding scale medical care for uninsured individuals and families.
Maryland Qualified Health Centers (google): Offers subsidized and sliding scale medical care for uninsured individuals and families. You can find a MQHC on Maryland’s list of centers.
Maryland Medbank Program (1-800-877-435-7755): Provides access to free medicines for low income uninsured patients in Maryland.
Together RCX Access (1-800-250-2839): Free National program that provides 25-40% savings on brand-name prescriptions for low income, uninsured individuals and families.
Needy Meds (google): Free nationwide nonprofit resource for people who need help with the cost of medication. Offers up to 75% discount on medication.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit service and advocacy organization representing older adults and the community organizations that serve them. Our goal is to improve the health and economic security of 10 million older adults by 2020. For more than 60 years, NCOA has been a trusted voice and innovative problem-solver helping seniors navigate the challenges of aging in America. We work with local and national partners to give older adults tools and information to stay healthy and secure, and we advocate for programs and policies to improve the lives of all seniors, especially the most vulnerable. For more information, please visitwww.ncoa.org.
211 | Non-Profit and Human Service Programs
2-1-1 Maryland is a partnership of 4 agencies working together to provide simple and easy access to health and human services information. The 2-1-1 database has information on more than 7,000 agencies and programs across the state. Each week 2-1-1 handles thousands of calls from people in need, providing referrals to services and helping people problem-solve when services they need are not available. Dial 2-1-1 | https://www.211md.org/
Chesapeake HELPS! Information and referral line: 1-866-722-4577, www.chesapeakehelps.org. Serves as the gateway to services with resource and referral information available to all residents of the mid-shore area. Telephone calls to Chesapeake HELPS are referred to knowledgeable counselors trained to assist callers in locating appropriate information and services.
United Seniors of Maryland (www.unitedseniors.net): advocates Federal and State legislation, lobbies for and tracks legislation on issues related to senior welfare.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America toll-free hot line: 1-866-232-8484, (www.alzfdn.org) provides referrals to local resources across the US, counseling by licensed social workers.
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Join AARP-KC today and Join the AARP-KC Connection
Special offer commemorating the 30th anniversary of AARP-KC: New members will not be charged for 2014.–Plus receive the 2014 edition of the AARP-KC Emergency Services Card!
Send the following membership application to AARP-KC, PO Box 753, Chestertown, 21620.
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