Upper Shore Aging - Chestertown Spy

An Internationally-Recognized Expert On Aging To Speak In Easton, Chestertown

September 30, 2024 by Upper Shore Aging Leave a Comment

Renowned physician, scientist, and gerontologist, Mark Lachs, MD, MPH, will discuss “The Changing Face of Aging – High Tech Meets High Touch” in two free talks on October 23 in Easton and October 24 in Chestertown. Brought to the Shore by Upper Shore Aging (USA), a nonprofit serving Talbot, Caroline, and Kent Counties, Dr. Lachs is a dynamic speaker who has appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, The Today Show and Good Morning America, and written pieces on aging for the Wall Street Journal and other lay publications.

Free and open to the public, the talks will be held on Wednesday, October 23 at the Ebenezer Theater in Easton and Thursday, October 24 at the Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theater in Chestertown, both from 7 to 8 p.m.

A resident of Connecticut, Dr. Lachs is the Irene F. and I. Roy Psaty Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, Co-Chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, and Director of Geriatrics for the New York Presbyterian Health System.

Dr. Lachs’ major area of interest is the disenfranchised elderly, and he has published widely in the areas of elder abuse and neglect, the epidemiology and neuroscience of financial vulnerability of older adults, and the assessment of decision-making ability as people age. He has lectured internationally on these topics.

“USA is hosting these seminars because we are the voice for seniors in the communities we serve. We hope seniors, their family caregivers, and those who work with seniors will join us to learn about the new technologies available to help seniors age in place, remain safe in their homes, and thrive in their communities,” comments Herb Cain, Executive Director of USA.

“USA operates five senior centers on the Mid-Shore. During the pandemic, videoconferencing helped seniors become more comfortable with new technology to stay connected. In the “High Touch” component of his lecture, Dr. Lachs will point out that new technologies for seniors allow things like monitoring chronic medical conditions in a home environment and do not replace the need for human interaction. Social isolation and loneliness remain critical issues that the elderly face today.”

Dr. Lachs is the founder and Medical Director of the New York City Elder Abuse Center (www.nyceac.org), a WCM community-academic partnership of senior centers, adult protective service professionals, law enforcement providers, governmental agencies, and others that seek to protect the rights and dignity of elder abuse victims through direct service, advocacy, case coordination, and research. His book, Treat Me, Not My Age, (Viking Penguin) was named among the best consumer health books of 2010.

“With the number of seniors growing in Maryland and our counties on the Eastern Shore, we have an obligation to address some of the key issues facing seniors today. We are thrilled that Dr. Lachs is coming to share his research and groundbreaking work throughout the country,” adds Kay Brodie, President of the USA Board of Directors.

The event is sponsored by The Grayce B. Kerr Fund. To register for the events, visit https://crm.nonprofiteasy.com//12012/Pages/Events/#/.

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Upper Shore Aging Hosts the Re-Dedication of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center

September 16, 2024 by Upper Shore Aging Leave a Comment

Upper Shore Aging (USA) recently hosted a re-dedication of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center in Chestertown. Pictured left to right are Herb Cain, Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging, artist Evie Baskin, who painted the portrait; and Kay Brodie, President of the Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors, in front of the new portrait of Amy Lynn Ferris, for whom the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center is named.

Upper Shore Aging (USA) recently hosted a re-dedication of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center in Chestertown. The Constance and Carl Ferris Foundation recently donated $35,000 to update the Center’s kitchen, including purchasing new appliances and repainting the Center. A special addition to the re-dedication included unveiling a new painting of Amy Lynn Ferris, the couple’s daughter, which now hangs in the lobby of the Center.

“I am proud to be a part of this organization and the wonderful work that we do. Every morning during the week, I look out the window and this parking lot is full. The senior population in Maryland is growing. People are living longer and healthier lives. Recent statistics show that 27% of the population of Kent County is over 60 years of age. This center is providing a wonderful resource to help this growing demographic of our population. It makes me proud as the new executive director of Upper Shore Aging, to be a part of this,” shared Herb Cain, Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging.

Rosemarie Curlett, Manager of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center, shared, “I was here when the building was built 21 years ago. I want to thank all the staff for bringing so much activity to this building in the past year.”

Kay Brodie, President of the Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors, shared some history about the Ferris family, sharing that they moved to Rock Hall from the Philadelphia area in 1986. She added, “They have done so many things for Kent County as a whole, in addition to supporting this building for Upper Shore Aging. After they both passed away, the Constance and Carl Ferris Charitable Operating Foundation, Inc. was set up, benefiting several organizations in Kent County.”

According to Upper Shore Aging, Amy Lynn Ferris was active in helping various charities, in particular Habitat for Humanity of Chester County. She cared deeply about helping those less fortunate and Rock Hall, where her parents retired, and where she visited, held a special place in her heart. Because there was never a picture of Amy Lynn Ferris, for whom the Center was named, Upper Shore Aging decided to have a portrait of Amy Lynn painted by local artist Evie Baskin, a partner with the Artists Gallery in Chestertown since 2015 who enjoys doing portrait commissions and landscapes.

“I never had a chance to meet Amy Lynn Ferris as she died in 2002 at the age of 48. The only photograph available of Amy at that time was a bit of a challenge. I never met her, so I didn’t know much about her personality. I have learned a lot since then. She was the daughter of Carl and Constance Ferris. She lived outside of Philadelphia at the end of her life.”

“My goals in doing her portrait were to try to capture her spirit, along with her likeness. I decided to include the background of the family estate – Kimbolton – in Rock Hall. So, I hope you will see Amy as a happy, loving, and kind young woman filled with gentle spirit and the love of water and life,” Baskin commented.

According to Upper Shore Aging, Connie and Cal Ferris met and married at Cornell University in New York. Mr. Ferris worked for the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware for 17 years before becoming a franchise of Burger King restaurants in Pennsylvania in 1963. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris owned and operated all of the Burger Kings in Bucks and Montgomery counties for 23 years. After his retirement in 1986, Carl Ferris and his wife divided their time between Naples, Florida, and Lankford Creek in Rock Hall.

The Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center is located at 200 Schauber Road in Chestertown and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. For further information on program offerings, visit uppershoreaging.org or call 410-778-2564.

Upper Shore Aging, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Talbot, Caroline, and Kent counties, Maryland, serving a potential market of nearly 31,000 persons over the age of sixty years. Our organization develops and manages a coordinated program of services that work together to help elders to remain, and live well, in the community as long as possible. Upper Shore Aging, Inc. works closely with the Maryland Department of Aging to serve the needs of its clients.

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Herb Cain Appointed Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging

July 15, 2024 by Upper Shore Aging Leave a Comment

The Board of Directors at Upper Shore Aging has announced the appointment of Herb Cain as its new executive director. Cain has been a community-minded United Methodist Pastor, leading and serving local congregations on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for the past 14 years. Most recently, he was the pastor of First United Methodist Church and Christ United Methodist Church in Chestertown and a member of the Upper Shore Aging, Inc. Board of Directors, serving on the External Affairs Committee. He has also been a commercial fisherman, operating out of Rock Hall.

Cain holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Wilmington University, an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Cecil Community College, and has completed The United Methodist Church Ministerial Course of Study from Wesley Theological Seminary.

“I have always been committed to providing servant-leadership to organizations that serve their community. Compassion, ethics, and believing in a cause are key personal motivators for me regardless of the vocational setting,” Cain comments. “My goals at Upper Shore Aging are to increase the organization’s financial stability while maximizing outreach to the community to meet the needs of aging seniors in our region.”

Kay Brodie, President of the USA Board of Directors, comments, “The Board of Directors of Upper Shore Aging is pleased to welcome Herb Cain as our new executive director. We look forward to working with Herb to expand our services to seniors in Caroline, Kent, and Talbot counties so that they may lead happy and productive lives.”

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Upper Shore Aging Honors Volunteers

May 6, 2024 by Upper Shore Aging Leave a Comment

Volunteers from Talbot County at Upper Shore Aging’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. The programs honored included the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), Senior Center volunteers, and Meals on Wheels volunteers.

Upper Shore Aging (USA) recently honored its volunteers from Caroline and Talbot counties at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. The programs honored included the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), Senior Center volunteers, and Meals on Wheels volunteers.

Corey Pack, Vice President of the Board of Directors for USA, welcomed guests stating, “There is not an agency that I can think of that will not or cannot effectively do its job without volunteers. So the role that the volunteer plays in the agency is very, very crucial. So, whether it be an hour of your time a week, or whether it be 50 hours of your time a month, we thank you for that because the agency could not fulfill its mission without the volunteers. What you do allows our doors to stay open, what you do allows those citizens who need services to be served, and it allows those citizens who are hungry to be fed.”

Judy Musch, Secretary of the Board of Directors for USA, reflected on the USA Board and its role, stating, “There are 12 members of the Board – four from each county. Your Board is a very active Board – one of the most active I’ve seen.”

Jennifer Neal, Director of Senior Centers for the USA, who has been at USA for 12 years, gave an overview of Upper Shore Aging’s Meals on Wheels program, volunteering, and honored Wynona “Nonie” Thomas who was Caroline’s Meals on Wheels coordinator for many years before passing away last June. She reflected, “Upper Shore Aging currently has 275 Meals on Wheels participants – 66 in Kent County, 131 in Talbot County, and 78 in Caroline County. While Kent and Talbot have an abundance of volunteers, Caroline has two regular volunteers for Meals on Wheels to deliver to 78 people. We do have an extra three that occasionally can come in and drive for us if they’re not working. So, to say that Caroline is in dire need of delivery drivers is an understatement.”

“Over the time I watched Nonie take route after route in Caroline County – some days using her rollator. Regardless of how hard it was for her to get around, she told me. ‘I still need to make sure these meals get out – help or no help.’ In the summers and when school was out, her granddaughters helped pack and deliver meals.”

Jennifer shared that since Nonie passed away, she has delivered meals weekly and has also gotten her family involved and her children deliver meals. She added, “I want to leave you with this – even if you can’t volunteer yourself, get your family involved, get your neighbors involved, get your local businesses involved. To feed our most vulnerable population is something you’ll never forget.”

Childlene Brooks, Manager of the Talbot County Senior Center at Brookletts, shared, “I just want to say thank you to all of our volunteers. From April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024, we had 45 volunteers who reported 4570 hours to our Meals on Wheels program. There were 23 additional volunteers who gave 1675 hours to other aspects of the senior centers. This does not include the volunteers from St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Fishes and Loaves Program who help us with our food pantry every Friday.”

Andy Hollis, Upper Shore Aging’s Executive Director, commented, “Your willingness to share your time and your talents speaks volumes about each of you in terms of giving of yourself to your fellow human beings, to your community, and to each one of us. Every one of you has some other choice that you can make about volunteering, but thank goodness you choose to help out Upper Shore Aging.”

Hollis reported that for Talbot County alone, the volunteer hours would have cost the USA over $75,000 in wages. When he added in all of the contributions from Caroline County, that number was over $100,000.

“We would not have the program if you all were not helping us. So, from the bottom of my heart again, and from those on the board, we thank you very, very much,” he added.

Sandra Owen, Project Director for the Caroline County Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) shared that in addition to the Meals on Wheels volunteers in Caroline County, seniors volunteer for His Hope Ministries – the local homeless shelter; at the Samaritan House – a thrift shop and food pantry in Denton; and at Positive Strides – a therapeutic equestrian riding center in Preston.

Meals on Wheels Volunteer Ron Kornas, a retired contractor, of Easton, has been volunteering three days a week packaging meals and delivering them throughout Talbot County for the last five years. He has met new volunteer Kenneth Fisher, a retired FedEx driver, who also delivers meals two days a week and the two have become friends and like working together at Brookletts Place packaging the meals.

Kornas states, “I like helping people and talking to them, providing socialization.”

Fisher adds, “I like meeting new people through volunteering.

St. Marks’ Fishes and Loaves Volunteers John Morris and Tom Barwick said that the ministry started as St. Mark’s COVID Fund five years ago. It currently has a crew of 11 people who pack food from the Food Bank on Thursdays and they distribute 85 to 90 bags through a drive-through process at the Talbot County Senior Center on Fridays. About 35% of the bags go to seniors and the rest go to individuals and families. Participants get two meats and a full bag of groceries a week.

Morris comments, “When we started this program five years ago, we were doing 35 bags a week. Right now we’re doing 85 and 90 bags a week and for Thanksgiving, we did 100 bags and for Christmas, we did 110 bags.”

Tanya Sherwood of Trappe has been volunteering at the Talbot Senior Center for three years, helping with the craft activity every month, assisting at the desk, and helping with the dining room set-up. She stated, “I get to meet people from all walks of life. It also gives me a place to be social. I love older people and guess I am an ‘old soul’.”

“It’s good to help other people – someday I might need someone to help me,” shared Bessie Faulkner of Marydel.

Another volunteer from Caroline County, Doretha Cook Greensboro, added, “It makes (me) feel good that I am doing something for others.”

“It makes me happy to volunteer – it’s fun and it makes me feel good helping others,” shared Veronica Hendrix of Seaford, Delaware.

Upper Shore Aging is looking for volunteers in Caroline, Kent, and Talbot counties. For further information, visit uppershoreaging.org/volunteer or call (410) 778-6000.

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Upper Shore Aging Announces New Board Members

December 20, 2023 by Upper Shore Aging

Upper Shore Aging has announced the appointment of three new board members: Pamela Limberry of Cordova, Rev. L. Herbert (Herb) Cain of Chestertown, and Kevin Moran of St. Michaels.

Pam Limberry

Pam Limberry is currently the Owner/Operator of Team Legacy Transport, LLC, and a Nursing Assistant/Medication Technician at Benedictine Open Community, both in Ridgely. Before these two positions, she served as Program Coordinator responsible for the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at Upper Shore Aging, and the Information & Assistance Office of Talbot County. She also was the owner/operator of Heavenly Hands Cleaning Essentials for many years. She holds certifications as an Information and Referral Specialist for Aging/Disabilities (CIRS-A/D) Maryland Access Point and is a Certified Options Counselor and Maryland Certified Nursing Assistant. She attended Regent University.

Rev. L. Herbert (Herb) Cain is a second career pastor in the United Methodist Church, serving First UMC and Christ UMC in Chestertown. He has pastored churches in Kent, Cecil, and Talbot counties. Before entering the ministry in 2010, Herb was self-employed for 27 years as the owner/operator of his commercial fishing business based in Rock Hall. Since entering the pastoral ministry, Herb has implemented several church outreach ministries through his churches, including providing meals to those in need. Herb served on the board of directors of the Ray of Hope Mission in Port Deposit, Maryland, and is currently involved with the Samaritan Group’s emergency rotating homeless shelter and the Chester Valley Ministers’ Association. He has a Bachelor of Science degree with an undergraduate certificate in Non-Profit Management from Wilmington University. He completed theological studies at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. and has an associate of arts degree from Cecil College.

Kevin Moran has spent 40 years in the banking industry including employment with community and regional banks in various lending, credit, and business development positions. Most recently, he has worked at Provident State Bank (now Summit Community Bank) as an SVP/Market Executive. He took this position after retiring in 2019 as the Chief Credit Officer of 1880 Bank. During his career, Moran held management positions at the Talbot Bank and PNC Bank/St. Michaels Bank. He is a graduate of the University of Maine in Orono. He currently volunteers with the Bay 100 Youth Task Force and previously served on the Boards of Habitat for Humanity-Choptank, Londonderry Retirement Community, Channel Marker, and the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

“We are thrilled to have these new members join our Board of Directors. Each one has deep community roots in the counties we serve and will provide invaluable insights into how we deliver our services to the aging populations in Talbot, Caroline, and Kent counties,” comments Andy Hollis, Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging.

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Upper Shore Aging Announces New President and Executive Committee Members

November 20, 2023 by Upper Shore Aging

Pictured are Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors Executive Committee members (left to right): Judy Musch (Secretary), Mary Celeste Alexander (Treasurer), Kay Brodie (President), and Corey Pack (Vice President).

Upper Shore Aging recently announced its new Board of Directors Executive Committee members. These members include Kay Brodie of Chestertown (President), Corey Pack of Easton (Vice President), Mary Celeste Alexander of Chestertown (Treasurer), and Judy Musch of Easton (Secretary).

“We are thrilled to have these members join our Executive Board at such an exciting time for our agency. Upper Shore Aging is going through a transformation. These individuals bring backgrounds that will help us achieve our strategic goals of operational excellence, a strong infrastructure, financial stability, and advocating for the needs of seniors in the counties we serve,” comments Andy Hollis, Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging.

Upper Shore Aging, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Talbot, Caroline, and Kent counties, Maryland, serving a potential market of nearly 31,000 persons over the age of sixty years. The organization develops and manages a coordinated program of services that work together to help elders to remain, and live well, in the community as long as possible. Upper Shore Aging, Inc. works closely with the Maryland Department of Aging to serve the needs of its clients.

Kay Brodie most recently worked at Chesapeake College, serving as the Director of the Learning Resources Center. Before that, she was Dean of Academic Support Services and Technical Services Librarian. She has also worked as an AARP tax aide. She completed a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College, a master’s degree in French from Rutgers University, and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Maryland. Kay currently is a Meals on Wheels driver for Upper Shore Aging.

Corey Pack retired from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, most recently managing several offices on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He then worked as a facilitator of the Talbot County Department of Social Services fatherhood classes before founding the Responsible Fathers Initiative. Corey served on the Talbot County Council for 15 years and served on many local and state boards and commissions. He completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Delaware and is a Fellow of the Academy of Excellence in Local Governance from the Maryland Association of Counties. Corey is the current chairperson of the Justice Reinvestment Act Local Government Commission.

Mary Celeste Alexander retired from Chesapeake College. She completed a bachelor’s degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Her volunteer work has included being a board member of the Friends of the Kent County Public Library, a docent with the Historical Society of Kent County Maryland, and a volunteer with the Bordley Center Shop at the Historical Society of Kent County Maryland.

Judy Musch retired having worked in administrative jobs at Black & Decker, Memorial Hospital at Easton, and Bayleigh Chase. She has volunteered with the Hospice Pathways Program, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, Talbot Chapter of AARP, and on the Advisory Committee for Brookletts Place. Currently, she is a driver for Partners in Care and Financial Secretary for the Easton Church of the Brethren.

“I also want to thank the members of our previous Executive Committee for their years of dedicated service. In particular, I would like to thank Bill Shrieves, outgoing President for his years of leadership with our board and for his dedication to the seniors living on the Mid Shore,” adds Hollis.

For information about Upper Shore Aging, Inc. or to donate, visit uppershoreaging.org or call 410-778-6000.

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Upper Shore Aging Selected for 2023 Thome Aging Well Grant

November 18, 2023 by Upper Shore Aging

Upper Shore Aging (USA) was recently awarded a 2023 Thome Aging Well grant to support the expansion of its diabetes education program for seniors. The goal of the grant project is to use the more than 84,000 Meals on Wheels meals delivered annually through USA as a vehicle for diabetes/health screening and education, social connection, and engagement in Senior Center services.

The Thome Aging Well program is a four-year, $19 million initiative from Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) to help older adults living in affordable communities age safely and securely at home. Funded by the Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, Bank of America trustee, the program awarded $6 million in grants this year to scale aging-in-place initiatives with a track record of success by 22 nonprofits in Maryland and Michigan.

According to Andy Hollis, Executive Director of USA, diabetes is a major concern for the population served by his agency. Rural residents have higher diabetes rates and higher obesity rates – the leading cause of diabetes – than their urban counterparts. Diabetes disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities, those with less education, and those with lower incomes. USA focuses its services on the elderly and economically disadvantaged, and more than 1/3 of its participants are minorities.

“This grant will help us re-engage with seniors who did not return to Senior Center services post-COVID. Our planned activity is to launch the National Diabetes Prevention Program and use that screening and outreach as a catalyst for engaging and re-engaging seniors in the available Senior Centers offered through Upper Shore Aging. This becomes cyclical because engaging seniors in the Senior Centers engages them with all the services, including assistance with insurance which then become sustainable to deliver the National Diabetes Prevention Program screening and follow up for better health outcomes,” explains Hollis.

“By re-engaging seniors in the Senior Centers, we can include them in future planning of services to meet the needs of the changing population, continuing the cyclical nature that this grant project affords.”

“The Upper Shore Aging Board is grateful to the Thome Foundation for recognizing the need for this outreach and educational opportunity and for allowing Upper Shore Aging to address these needs in our rural communities,” comments Kay Brodie, Board President, Upper Shore Aging.

In total, the 2023 Thome Aging Well grants will provide essential support to over 6,000 older adults to help enhance well-being, reduce isolation, and allow them to age with dignity in their homes. Best practices learned from the grantees will be shared across the field of affordable and public housing providers serving older adults.

“There is a deep need for continued support of organizations that serve the growing population of older adults who want to age in their homes and communities,” said Stephany De Scisciolo, VP, of Impact, Evaluation, and Population Health at Enterprise. “For this round of grants, we built on our previous success and extended the grant opportunity to any organization providing home-based services, including those who help older adults modify their homes to make it easier for them to continue to age in place.”

Caption: Pictured are local seniors participating in cooking classes at Upper Shore Aging (USA) conducted by Chesapeake Culinary Center. In the coming months, USA will use Meals on Wheels meals as a vehicle for diabetes/health screening and education, social connection, and engagement in Senior Center services across the Mid-Shore.

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Upper Shore Aging Selected for 2023 Thome Aging Well Grant

November 10, 2023 by Upper Shore Aging

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Upper Shore Aging Holds 20th Anniversary Celebration for Adult Activity Center

September 11, 2023 by Upper Shore Aging

Pictured left to right are Childlene Brooks, Manager of the Talbot County Senior Center at Brookletts, with Rosemarie Curlett, Manager of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center.

Upper Shore Aging recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center in Chestertown, Maryland. The Kent County Senior Center started in downtown Chestertown in the early 80s and a new facility named for Amy Lynn Ferris was built in 2003. The Constance & Carl Ferris Foundation gave funds toward constructing the Center as a memorial for their daughter Amy Lynn Ferris. Community Development Block Grant and funds from the Maryland Department of Aging Capital Fund were also used for the project.

Over 60 people attended the anniversary event, including seniors from both the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center and the Talbot County Senior Center at Brookletts in Easton. It was the first time that seniors from Easton had visited the Chestertown facility. The celebration included a Staying Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) class, which focused on strength, balance, and cardio activity, followed by music Bingo, lunch, ice cream, and cake.

“They’ve had a ball today,” comments Rosemarie Curlett, Manager of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center. “It’s been a fun day of fellowship.”

Pictured are attendees at the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center anniversary celebration doing a conga line.

Participant Carol Cox added, “Everyone is really enjoying themselves. It’s good to see people really having fun.”

Upper Shore Aging operates five senior centers in Kent, Caroline, and Talbot counties. These centers are a hub for activities helping seniors stay active and involved in their community. The centers offer activities of interest to their senior populations, including classes in health and fitness, computer skills, arts and crafts, nutrition, entertainment, and travel.

“We are excited to be celebrating this important milestone in Kent County,” comments Bill Shrieves, President of the Board of Upper Shore Aging.

“Since COVID, many of our seniors are afraid to come back out and engage with others. We want to encourage them to visit our senior centers and take advantage of our new offerings. Our board remains committed to growing those offerings to further engage the seniors on the Mid-Shore.”

“We are grateful for the donation by The Constance & Carl Ferris Foundation 20 years ago to help construct this building. It has provided an important gathering place for our senior community and continues to enhance the lives of our seniors today,” adds Andy Hollis, Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging.

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Maryland Secretary of Aging Pays Visit to Upper Shore Aging Facilities

June 24, 2023 by Upper Shore Aging

Maryland Secretary of the Department of Aging Carmel Roques took a tour of Upper Shore Aging’s facilities while also providing a public forum for a discussion on aging issues facing seniors across the state and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Secretary Roques reminded participants at the gathering at Talbot County Senior Center at Brooklett’s Place in Easton that she wasn’t a politician, but rather had worked a long career in the private sector. She stated, “I was absolutely honored to be asked to serve in this role. I have many years centering my life around caring for older people, their families, and their care providers. And so, you know, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a licensed clinical social worker, doing direct therapy and care management of older people.”

“Maryland is a long-lived society. Half of the five-year-olds alive today will expect to live to 100. We need to begin to shape our policies and services around that. They will sit under the trees that we plant but that will never see.”

Photo: Left to right – Chuck Callahan, President of the Talbot County Council; Childlene Brooks, Manager of Brooklett’s Place; Maryland Secretary of the Department of Aging Carmel Roques; and Andy Hollis, Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging.

According to Secretary Roques, the Maryland Department of Aging is a $90 million agency comprised of federal and state funding. When she arrived, the agency had 40 full-time employees but was operating at a 30 percent vacancy rate. The agency oversees 19 area agencies on aging and Upper Shore Aging is one of them.

Andy Hollis, Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging hosted the Secretary’s visit, which included seeing the Caroline Senior Center in Denton and Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center in Chestertown. He added, “Secretary Roques’ visit underscored the critical importance of Upper Shore Aging’s partnership with the Maryland Department of Aging. Upper Shore provides senior services on behalf of three counties, and the Secretary’s remarks about her vision for the department, and her focus on bettering the lives of our state’s seniors, will serve the citizens of Caroline, Kent, and Talbot Counties well. She has worked in the field for decades and knows the challenges that lie ahead. Her comments expressing her commitment to meeting those challenges and overcoming them was inspirational.”

Among the issues raised by participants at the discussion at Brooklett’s Place were affordable housing and long-term care, food insecurity among seniors, the need for gap-filling services like adult day care, and transportation.

Secretary Roques added that nationally, the United States hasn’t made a commitment to long-term care and that moving forward recommendations for improving nursing homes are needed as they are closing around the country due to not being as profitable as they used to be.

“Older Americans are healthier than previous generations and living long enough to outlive their resources and require complex supportive care, but more people are choosing assisted living or staying at home because they can’t afford private pay at these facilities,” she explained.

“Under 3% of the housing in this country is assessable for older adults with disabilities.”

In looking toward the future, Secretary Roques explained that the new Governor is setting in motion a couple of initiatives – the biggest one being a multi-sector planning process, which involves cabinet-level leaders working together to better use state or federal funds to solve some of these problems and issues, as well as working with each other to influence policy across these issues.

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