What is Maryland Doing for Seniors Now? RONA KRAMER, Esq., Maryland Secretary of Aging

A live & interactive discussion with the State of Maryland Secretary of Aging to learn about resources and solutions for Maryland Seniors, Families and Providers.  RONA E. KRAMER, Esq. - State of Maryland Secretary of Aging

Questions Asked

• Can we have an update on the ability to receive long-term care Medicaid in clients' homes. Thank you, Amy Griboff, Esquire
• Listened half way through, are these services free, like trips to doctors offices? How do you sign up for a ride to dr office?
• What is a partner of Community for Life look like?
• Would you consider partnering with businesses that are not nonprofits in the Communities for Life Program? I would love to see aging communities provide a “Tech Concierge” for older adults to help them benefit from personal technology to improve so many aspects of life. I provide training for colleagues who want to become more tech savvy to help aging adults. www.innovativespeech.com
• What is happening in terms of helping low income individuals who live in assisted living who run out of money? There are very few options for Medicaid funded assisted living communities and some people may not qualify for “skilled care.”
• Is it a fact that if I do not live in the Counties listed that I am not elegible for these services? Jean Ivory
• whoops "eligible"
• is there any help for transportation in Cecil county, that county is so limited in services
• the slide presented showed $150 monthly fees for community for life. Does this vary with different areas or is this fee true for the rest of Maryland?
• After the $150 monthly fee, are members required to pay, in full or partially, for the home modifications or maintenance?
• When speaking on the funds available from Medicaid, are we solely talking about persons eligible for the Home and Community Based Service waiver only? HandyPro is already a Medicaid provider. Is becoming a Community for Life partner a separate designation?
• What is on your Wish List for MD seniors that is not yet being provided? Initiative, task force, program, service that you would love to see?  Ears up for things you’d love have happen at the state level, public/private partnership, etc.  Thanks!
• The CFL categories are home maintenance, service navigator and transportation. Can an educational nonprofit become a community for life provider but focus on education for seniors and their family?
• Each non profit must be able to provide the three core services of maintenance, service navigation, and transportation.
• Do you have opportunities to educate home owners on various financial tools avaialble to help pay for services and help them to stay in home for long term care?  We'd love to explore educational opportunities
• Any chance the state is working on expanding the home care respite coordination voucher program that The Arc of Montgomery county offers?
• Who provides transportation? Volunteers or contractors?

Chat Transcript

08:33:02     From  Gary Haynes : Gary Haynes, Next Step Partners, 4435346124, garyhaynes@nextsteppartners.org.  Serving those who are approaching retirement and those retired.  We offer real estate services, home safety products, modifications for the home, and publications.  I am looking for Downsizing companies to help my clients and to be on my nextsteppartners.org referral list.

08:36:46     From  Barbara Hillard : Barbara Hillard Business Development Director Visiting Angels 301 355-6578 Serving MD and Washington DC areas BarbaraH@visitingangelsmd.com Veteran Approved Provider, Respite  Provider for Md

08:37:11     From  Joan Green : Good morning! I’m here to help colleagues, families and older adults figure out how to benefit from all that personal tech offers! Feel free to go to my website- www.innovativespeech.com and sign up for a free 15 min call. I’ll call you at the time you choose and we can figure out how to help you move forward to become more tech-savvy. I also offer 1:1 online tech coaching as well as online courses. The next course I’m offering will be starting in a couple of weeks. It’s all about Google apps to help you get set up for 2023! https://innovativespeech.com/get-going-with-google-course/ I’ll also be opening up registration soon for the next ElderTech Advisor and Teacher Cohort for professionals.

08:38:15     From  Amy Griboff, Esquire : Amy Griboff, J.D., L,L,M, in Elder LawGriboff Law, LLC, (301) 339-98725 and amy@griboffestateplanning.com. Licensed in Maryland.

08:38:55     From  Meryl Schaffer   to   Amy Griboff, Esquire and all panelists : Glad to see you are on this call:):):)

08:39:31     From  Amy Griboff, Esquire : Sorry Typos because my hands are frozen

08:40:15     From  Joe Sperling   to   Steve Gurney - ProAging Community(Direct Message) : Recording?

08:40:34     From  Amy Griboff, Esquire : Amy Griboff, JD, LLM in Elder Law, Griboff Law, LLC 301-339-8725 and amy@griboffestateplanning.com. Thanks!

08:41:32     From  Casandra Key : Good morning. Casandra Key DHA/SSA. Program Administrator for Project Home/Adult Foster Care. 443.683.2784

08:44:14     From  Joe Sperling : Great to see you!

I’m Joe Sperling, independent insurance broker for 30+ years.

I’m the “Protectionist” and the “Feel Good Guy.”

I HELP YOU PROTECT WHO YOU LOVE AND WHAT’S IMPORTANT.

Think for a moment: 

Who do you love?    

Who depends on you financially?

Do you need your income? (Silly question, I know, but had to ask) 

Have you protected your assets with Long-Term Care coverage?

Learn about your options (before “stuff” happens)…

Make better decisions.

BE PREPARED.  HAVE A PLAN.

YOU WILL FEEL GREAT!

I can help.  Call me. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Joe Sperling    301-980-8869

08:44:25     From  Patricia Dubroof   to   Hosts and panelists : Honored to be here for this important presentation. Patricia Dubroof, Assisting Hands Home Care pdubroof@assistinghands.com 301-363-2587. Providing excellence in home care and educating our community; Fairfax and Montgomery counties.

08:45:22     From  eileen kogut : what is the phone number for the ombudsman please?

08:45:23     From  Erin Byrne   to   Hosts and panelists : Thanks for including me in this valuable discussion. Erin Byrne - Director of Education and Community Outreach -  Tech Moxie - www.tech-moxie.com - TechMoxie is a cutting-edge startup organization headquartered in the nation’s capital that is focused on energizing and educating older adults, making life-changing technology more accessible and providing a greater understanding of tools designed to cultivate and maintain personal connections.

08:45:59     From  Mark Asch : Hi  Everyone. This is Mark Asch with Right At Home. We are a licensed home care agency providing caregivers that assist clients with non medical home care in Montgomery County Prince George's County and Baltimore. Email: mark@rightathomemd.net   410-292-2405 Direct

08:46:56     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Erin Byrne to All Panelists 08:45 AM

Thanks for including me in this valuable discussion. Erin Byrne - Director of Education and Community Outreach -  Tech Moxie - www.tech-moxie.com - TechMoxie is a cutting-edge startup organization headquartered in the nation’s capital that is focused on energizing and educating older adults, making life-changing technology more accessible and providing a greater understanding of tools designed to cultivate and maintain personal connections.

08:50:17     From  Rebecca Poe : Good morning everyone.  Rebecca Poe, senior real estate specialist (SRES).  Licensed in Maryland.  Serving seniors with care and empathy.  571-533-4223.  email:  Rebecca.poe@kw.com

08:52:15     From  Steve Lorberbaum : Glad to be on the call.  Steve Lorberbaum Assisting Hands Home Care - serving Montgomery County, PG County and Fairfax County VA  We support our Veterans as well.  slorberbaum@assistinghands.com 301.363.2580

08:53:11     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Todays discussion is being recorded and will be posted later today at https://retirementlivingsourcebook.com/ along with a chat transcript, etc.

08:54:42     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Maryland is the first state in the country to start a free, automated telephone service to check in on Maryland's older residents, all across the state. https://aging.maryland.gov/pages/senior-call-check.aspx

08:56:23     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Maryland Community for LifeSM is an innovative program developed by the Maryland Department of Aging to support older adults as they age at home. https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/community-for-life.aspx

08:56:48     From  Gary Haynes   to   Hosts and panelists : Can something be turned on so we can save the chat?

08:56:49     From  Shoaleh Alai : GM everyone- Shoaleh here with Sunrise at Fox Hill, off of River Rd. In Bethesda. Assisted living and memory care programming and road home recovery 30 day rehab program post hospitalizations or SNF stay. 

foxhill.dos@sunriseseniorliving.com 

301-968-1836

Happy holidays!

08:57:05     From  Meryl Schaffer : Meryl Schaffer TLC Daily Money Mentor, LLC.  I take away the agony & frustration from those small businesses, individuals & seniors who cannot/will not take care of their day to day finances. 240-338-3332 Meryl@TLCDailyMoneyMentor.com www.TLCDailyMoneyMentor.com

08:57:20     From  Barbara Hillard : What Is the cost of the CFL?

08:57:59     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community   to   Gary Haynes and all panelists : we save the chat for you and it will be posted along with the recording at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/

08:58:06     From  Patricia Dubroof : Assisting Hands Home Care supports veterans and non veterans home care needs with our amazing team of certified nursing assistants. Contact me for more information. Pdubroof@assistinghands.com 301-363-2587 Patricia Dubroof, Director of Community Relations.

08:58:37     From  Gary Haynes   to   Hosts and panelists : thx

08:58:43     From  eileen kogut : Cecil County is horribly limited in services, are there plans to correct this? esp. transportation

08:59:37     From  Rebekah Kleinman : Good morning. I provide support and guidance to seniors and their families related to real estate questions. I am a Senior Real Estate Specialist. Rebekah.kleinman@cbmove.com. 240-994-2166.

08:59:38     From  JEAN IVORY : H

09:00:32     From  JEAN IVORY : How can I become a member of the Maintenance program?

09:00:36     From  Melissa Bressler : Melissa Bressler, Outreach Manager for HandyPro of Washington DC and Occupational Therapist / Melissa@handypro.com / 301-960-1060 / Full service home modification services for all persons to prioritize home safety and accessibility. Some of our services include ramps, stairlifts, handrails, grab bars, barrier-free showers and more. / Contact us for educational resources and a free estimate.

09:01:32     From  Lisa Cook : How many Marylanders use CFL services? What are the monthly fees? What if a member does not use the allocated hours each month - do hours carry over? How does this intersect with Maryland area villages’ services?

09:02:35     From  Aileen Klein : I have the same questions as Lisa.

09:02:46     From  Erin Pickrell : I may have missed this but when did CFL start? Also interested about how this works with MD Villages?

09:03:09     From  Margi Helsel-Arnold   to   Hosts and panelists : Is there a waitlist for this Service Navigator program? What is phone number?  Margi Geriatric Care Counseling

09:04:11     From  Victoria Hathaway : Good Morning, wonderful presentation - so many good things being provided by our state!  Question for Rona: What is on your Wish List for Maryland seniors that isn't yet being provided?  Initiative, task force, program, service that you would love to see.  Thanks!  Victoria B. Hathaway, attending today as director of senior programming (Bob Lucido Team, KWLA), Howard County Commissioner on Aging, and MD Gerontological Association board member - ears up for things you'd love to see happening at the state level, public/private partnership.

09:04:39     From  Barbara Hillard : Is CFL available in Mont. Co MD?

09:05:09     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community   to   Margi Helsel-Arnold and all panelists : Montgomery County

Partners in Care Maryland 

22 Mulberry St. Suite 120, Hagerstown, MD 21740

https://partnersincare.org/community-for-life/

410-544-4800 *ext.501

09:05:23     From  Melissa Bressler : Barbara Hillard, per the website Mont Co is on the list. I don't see Prince George's County.

09:05:37     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Interested in starting a Maryland Community for LifeSM program in your area?  The state provides grants to non-profits willing to provide CFLSM services. Please review our program requirements here: Program Requirements.pdf. For more information, email at CommunityForLife.MDoA@maryland.gov.

09:05:40     From  Lyn Langbein   to   Hosts and panelists : Lyn Langbein- Mindful Money Management (daily money managers)… other than keeping copy of these slides, where can I go to find this compilation of info for future needs

09:05:48     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Lyn Langbein to All Panelists 09:05 AM

Lyn Langbein- Mindful Money Management (daily money managers)… other than keeping copy of these slides, where can I go to find this compilation of info for future needs

09:06:34     From  Barbara Hillard : Any vouchers available or the CFL?

09:06:40     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : All programs discussed can be easily accessed at https://aging.maryland.gov/

09:06:48     From  Kerri Donnelly   to   Hosts and panelists : Good Morning All.  Kerri Donnelly with Marquis Health Consulting Services.  I can be reached at

Kdonnelly@mqshealth.com or 202-603-9329. 

I will work to educate the community and get our seniors connected to these programs!  Thanks for all you do!

09:07:21     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Kerri Donnelly to All Panelists 09:06 AM

Good Morning All.  Kerri Donnelly with Marquis Health Consulting Services.  I can be reached at

Kdonnelly@mqshealth.com or 202-603-9329. 

I will work to educate the community and get our seniors connected to these programs!  Thanks for all you do!

09:07:29     From  Carolyn Warren : Are there plans for a Community for Life Program in Prince Georges County?  It sounds like an outstanding program that addresses a critical need for seniors.

09:07:35     From  Erin Byrne   to   Hosts and panelists : A rather difficult question I know, but here it is — Knowing that resources are limited for state reporters that visit senior living residences and facilities, is there a way for staff/family members to safely report violations without being scrutinized? Having worked in residences in the area, many family members and staff may want to report issues with the ombudsman or state reporter, but fear repercussions for their loved ones or themselves. As many front line staff do not want to risk their position or future career advancement, many stay silent for too long. Is there a way for the state reporter to speak to the front line team and family members in an anonymous way (…it could be a zoom meeting to protect privacy) to keep residents safe and thriving in the community in which they live.

09:10:38     From  JEAN IVORY : Is it a fact that if I do not live in one of the listed Counties, I am not eligible for these services?

09:12:36     From  Barbara Hillard : Where is the warehouse located please?

09:12:44     From  Margi Helsel-Arnold   to   Hosts and panelists : What is process to obtain the DME?

09:12:53     From  Ilene Gruber : Good morning.  happy to be able to connect with so many.

09:13:39     From  Lisa Cook : Hi Barbara Hilliard, Partners in Care Maryland is building the CFL Program in Montgomery County and 5 other Md counties.

09:14:17     From  Ilene Gruber : Ilene Gruber, ProMedica (Heartland) Hospice and Palliative Care. I can be reached at 202-819-2835. or ilene.gruber@promedica.org

09:16:03     From  Melissa Bressler : Barbara Hillard, I believe there are donation collection centers in most counties: https://aging.maryland.gov/pages/DME.aspx

09:16:48     From  Joan Green : I’ve been very impressed with the reuse of communication devices and other assistive technologies under the guidance of Denise Schuler. She’s the Equipment Reuse Director. I dropped off all my older tech and was so pleased that it could be refurbished and used to help others! https://mdod.maryland.gov/mdtap/Pages/ATreuse.aspx

09:16:48     From  Patricia Dubroof : Bravo on these wonderful programs.

09:20:26     From  Gary Haynes : I am so happy I attended this.  I had not idea of the magnitude

09:20:48     From  Gary Haynes : of what they offer.

09:21:27     From  Joe Sperling : These programs are awesome!  Improve seniors lives and enable DIGNITY and COMFORT to our agin gcitizens.

09:21:34     From  BARBARA SIGLER -MDOA : To contact your local ombudsman go to https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/state-long-term-care-ombudsman.aspx to find your local ombudsman

09:23:24     From  Amy Griboff, Esquire : Steve, Could you ask "Who would we contact about becoming a partner of Community of Life"

09:24:00     From  Aileen Klein : Would CFL provide evening rides to private social events for members who do not drive at night?

09:24:35     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Start a Maryland Community for LifeSM Program

Interested in starting a Maryland Community for LifeSM program in your area?  The state provides grants to non-profits willing to provide CFLSM services. Please review our program requirements here: Program Requirements.pdf. For more information, email at CommunityForLife.MDoA@maryland.gov.

09:25:21     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Community for Life https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/community-for-life.aspx

09:26:19     From  Patricia Dubroof : Can you post the link for CME?

09:26:50     From  Melissa Bressler   to   Hosts and panelists : Look into reaching out to Independence Now for a Prince George's County non profit.

09:27:45     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Maryland Access Point (MAP) https://marylandaccesspoint.211md.org/

09:28:51     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Melissa Bressler to All Panelists 09:26 AM

Look into reaching out to Independence Now for a Prince George's County non profit.

09:29:11     From  JEAN IVORY : Thank you so much. I will definitely use this contact information.

09:29:40     From  Barbara Hillard : The vetted contractors do they offer a lower discounted rate to afford?

09:31:08     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : For more information, email at CommunityForLife.MDoA@maryland.gov.

09:31:19     From  Beth Barrows : This has been super informative. I did not realize some of these MD resources existed. Thank you

09:32:50     From  eileen kogut : This is Robyn Michaud, nurse case manager with Christiana CareVio, Steve is there a way to reach you after this meeting?

09:32:57     From  Amy Griboff, Esquire : Amen! Fall prevention.

09:35:47     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : To locate the ombudsman in your region https://marylandaccesspoint.211md.org/

09:36:13     From  Margi Helsel-Arnold : What is the number to reach DME items?

09:36:40     From  ARNOLD EPPEL   to   Hosts and panelists :  Secretary Kramer has been an exceptional champion of new services to  older adults in Maryland.  She has also allowed Continuing Care at Home to flourish in Maryland in  the near future. 

09:37:22     From  Lisa Cook : This is so helpful! Re CFL, if a member does not use all the monthly allocation of hours- do they carry over? What is the difference between CFL and the Village concept of fees for services to keep people aging in their homes?

09:39:18     From  Barbara Hillard : What about increase of # hours for respite for ARC?

09:39:41     From  Melissa Bressler : If looking for funding options for home modifications, email Melissa@handypro.com or call 301-960-1060. Often home modifications funding has varying criteria and often has an income requirement. It is also not the speediest process.

09:40:03     From  Kendal Lee : Hello All! My name is Kendal Lee; I am the Program Administrator at the Maryland Emergency Preparedness Network (EPN). The EPN is a communication network operated by the Maryland National-Capital Homecare Association (MNCHA) in partnership with the Maryland Office of Preparedness & Response (OP&R). Our objective is to provide emergency preparedness education, training, and resources to community-based healthcare providers and caregivers supporting aging individuals and those living with disabilities in the community... I would love to learn about any emergency preparedness resources my network could benefit from connecting to. Thank you!

09:40:11     From  Ilene Gruber : How does one get involved in providing  education?   Want to re-educate the common belief that hospice is not about dying but a benefit about living.

09:40:58     From  Tony Miller : We'd love to partner with the group to offer education and advocacy for financial support to obtain these services

09:41:38     From  Joan Green : Thanks for this fantastic presentation!

09:41:49     From  Melissa Bressler : Kendal Lee, can you enter your contact information in the chat? or point us to your website?

09:42:40     From  LaKeisha Swan : Thank you for your time Secretary Kramer.

09:42:48     From  Lisa Cook : Thanks so much

09:42:49     From  Melissa Bressler : Neighborhood villages/volunteers also assist with set up of Uber rides.

09:43:43     From  Carolyn Warren : Thanks for this very informative discussion.  It has been inspiring, too.

09:44:46     From  JEAN IVORY : This has been a fantastic information webinar!

09:44:53     From  LaKeisha Swan : Thank you Mr. Gurney!