Upper Shore Aging

Today, representatives for Home Instead Senior Care and Upper Shore Aging announced a joint fundraising effort aimed at helping area seniors get around town better and make those important medical and social appointments that help them stay active and healthy.

Representatives say they hope to raise $5000.00 in this unique, one of a kind matching grant program that focuses on seniors. Speaking for Upper Shore Aging, Childlene Brooks said, “We’re so excited to be able to work with Home Instead Senior Care Foundation to bring awareness and financial gifts to those who need it in our community. We know folks here in Talbot County are among the most generous in Maryland so we’re crossing our fingers that they’ll give Home Instead Senior Care a lot to match!”

“This is the second year we’ve promoted the GIVE65 program here on the Eastern Shore and what we really love about this program is that it encourages all of us to play an active role in the lives of our senior citizens and help those who need a little extra assistance without having to bother government to do it for us.” said Jenna Marchi, who along with her husband Ben Marchi, have owned the local Home Instead Senior Care office in Easton for the past 8 years.

Positive Impact on Seniors

Currently, about 25 seniors receive a monthly bus pass but Upper Shore Aging says that they are constantly receiving calls from their partner agencies and other individuals asking about availability and unfortunately, resources can be limited. With Upper Shore Aging opening a satellite location in St. Michaels, Brooks expects an uptick in the number of requests in the future and says these concerns highlight the importance of the GIVE65 fundraising event.

How GIVE65 works

The campaign is titled “Give65” as the fundraiser runs for a straight 65-hour period. Starting on July 1, you may schedule your donation at www.give65.org/uppershoreaging for the 65-hour period (that runs from 7AM July 10 to Midnight on July 12), and it will be matched. Only funds contributed between July 1st and July 12th will be counted toward the matching grant.

The Give65 Campaign is a fundraising campaign by Home Instead Senior Care Foundation. The Foundation is affiliated with Home Instead Senior Care – an international senior care company with a local office in Easton. The Give65 Campaign is a crowd-sourcing platform similar to the well-known Kickstarter, and it’s the first and only crowd-sourcing platform in the nation for senior resources and needs. The goal of the Upper Shore Aging, Inc,’s Give65 Campaign is to raise a total of $5,000 (All funds will be matched by the Home Instead Foundation). The funds from Give65 will be donated to Upper Shore Aging, Inc. to go toward funding the bus pass program for senior citizens in Talbot County.

Upper Shore Aging, Inc., is accepting applications for volunteers to serve as Ombudsmen. The word ombudsman (om-budz-man) is from Sweden. In the United States, it has come to mean “advocate.” The Ombudsman Program is authorized by the Older Americans Act and Maryland law.

The overall goal of the Ombudsman Program is to assure residents receive quality care, and that they maintain their dignity, legal rights, and control of their lives.

Ombudsmen act as advocates for residents, regularly visiting assigned nursing homes and assisted living facilities and speak with residents about their experiences and satisfaction with care and services. Ombudsmen investigate complaints, assist in resolving resident concerns, and educate residents and facility staff about the Ombudsman Program and residents’ rights. Guidance and support are available from full-time staff.

It is estimated that 70 % of those living beyond age 65 will need long-term care services. Much of that need is and will be provided by nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Concerns addressed by Volunteer Ombudsmen include:
*Residents’ Rights
*Quality of Care
*Involuntary Discharges
*Privacy
*Food Quality

A one-year commitment of at least 8 hours a month is requested. Volunteers Ombudsman receive at least 20 hours of training to educate them about the long-term care system, residents’ rights, communicating with older adults, and complaint investigations. Continuing education is provided through-out the year.

No experience is required. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and physically and emotionally able to assume the duties of the position, must respect and care about the rights and welfare of older adults, and be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Background checks are required as well as signed confidentiality statements. Conflicts of interest are not permitted. A valid MD driver’s license is also required.

For information, call Patrick Carney, Upper Shore Aging Program Manager, at 410-778-1182.

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