Resource Guide for Seniors and Family Caregivers (PDF)

Administration on Aging

Theresa M. Grant, Administrator
Tel: 301-265-8450  |  Fax: (301) 248-5358

There are a growing number of people who are faced with making life-changing decisions for themselves and elderly family members. The Administration on Aging provides and supports a broad range of services and programs for seniors and their families.

The purpose of the Area Agency on Aging is to support older adults so they can maintain the highest possible quality of life with independence and dignity, and to assist seniors and their family members with the many challenges of the aging process.  The Area Agency on Aging acts as the first resource you can turn to for help.  In Prince George’s County, the Area Agency on Aging is part of the Department of Family Services.  The Area Agency on Aging provides the following services and programs for seniors and their families.

Programs

Community Living Direct Supports Program

Designed to assist individuals at risk of nursing home placement and spend down to Medicaid to receive home and community based services that will enable them to continue to live in the community. The program allows the participant flexibility to make decisions about the best way to meet their needs and receive services. This program is supported by state and Federal Funds.

Elder Abuse Prevention and Treatment Project

Is a program coordinated by the Administration on Aging, in partnership with the Department of Family Services Mental Health Authority Division which offers a range of services to abused or neglected seniors and to those seniors who are at risk of abuse or neglect as well as educational programs to the community.

Evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management

Is in partnership with Prince George’s Community College to provide the “Living Well” Chronic Disease Self-Management Program to Older Adults in the County. This Program is a workshop given two and half hours, once a week, for six weeks, in community settings. People with different chronic health problems attend together. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with a chronic disease themselves. This program is especially helpful for people with chronic illness, as it gives them the skills to coordinate all the things needed to manage their health, as well as to help them keep active in their lives.

Family Caregiving Program

Provides assistance to caregivers; which may include family, friends, and members of the community, with access to support groups, problem solving, education, and respite care. The caregiver provides care to an older individual who may be losing their ability to live and care for themselves independently. This program is supported by Federal Title IIIE funds.

Foster Grandparent Program

Provides opportunities for older volunteers to work with physically, mentally and emotionally handicapped children in schools and special centers throughout the county. These children would otherwise be without the personal attention necessary for their social adjustment and maturation. This program is supported by county general and grant funds.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Is a program designed to promote and educate the ideas and importance of a healthy lifestyle to senior citizens that attend Area Agency on Aging sponsored programs. This program is funded by Federal Title IIID funds.

Home and Community Based Services Waiver Program for Older Adults

Enables older adults to remain in a community setting even though their advanced age or disability would warrant placement in a long-term care facility. The Waiver allows services that are typically covered by Medicaid only in a long-term care facility to be provided to eligible persons in their own homes or in assisted living facilities.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Promotes the highest quality of life and care possible for residents in long term care facilities. The Ombudsman, with assistance of volunteers, investigates and seeks resolutions to problems, which affect residents' rights, health, care, safety and welfare. This program is supported by state and federal Title III funds.

Maryland Access Point(MAP) of Prince George's County

Serves as a single point of entry into the long term care system for older adults and person with disabilities. The MAP is a partnership effort with the local Health Department, Department of Social Services, and the Department of Family Services, Mental Health and Disabilities Administration. This collaboration facilitates a one-stop shop for older persons, persons with disabilities and their families. This program is supported by federal and state funds.

Money Follows the Person (MFP)

Is a demonstration project designed to streamline the transition process for individuals who chose to transition from a long-term care facility to a community setting. A community setting is defined by MFP is a residential setting with four or less unrelated residents. The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will serve as the local single point of entry for applicants.

Public Guardianship Program

Ensures the provision of optimum care/services for adjudicated wards of the court, through professional case management. As an agent of the Circuit Court, case management decisions are made pertaining to medical care, living arrangement and overall personal welfare issues. This program is supported by state funds.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program(RSVP)

Provides volunteer opportunities for over 400 seniors, age 55 and older. Volunteers serve in a variety of interesting and challenging assignments at over 50 non-profit organizations, schools and government agencies. In addition, RSVP offers such programs as friendly visiting, telephone reassurance, tutoring to school aged children, and provides supportive services to community and government agencies. This program is supported by county general and grant funds.

Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program

Combines housing with supportive services for seniors who need regular assistance with daily activities, but are not in need of nursing home placement. By offering congregate meals, housekeeping, personal services and 24-hour supervision, this program enables frail elders to continue living in the community. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the County Health Department license all homes. Homes that are enrolled in the Senior Assisted Living Group Subsidy Program that have subsidy residents are monitored quarterly by the Area Agency on Aging’s Program Monitor. All other 4-16 bed Assisted Living Facilities are monitored every 12-15 months. The subsidy Program is supported by State funds.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Is a subsidized employment program and training which provides part-time employment and training for low-income older adults and improves and expands community services where needed. This program is supported by grant and county funds.

Senior Care

Funds services for seniors who may be at risk of nursing home placement. Clients can access publicly funded services, or if they are not available, Senior Care will make arrangements with private vendors. These services can include personal care, chore, adult day care, financial help for medications, medical supplies, respite care, home delivered meals, emergency response system, transportation, and others. Senior Care is a gapfilling program for seniors 65 years of age and older who have limited income and assets. This program is supported by state funds.

Senior Health Insurance Program

Provides free health insurance counseling and assistance to persons 55 years and older. Trained volunteer counselors provide information about Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, Long-Term Care Insurance, Health Maintenance Organizations( HMOs), claims, appeals, and about physician or hospital bills. This program is supported by state and federal funds.

Senior Information and Assistance Program

Offers a single point of contact for senior citizens and their families who need information, referral and/or assistance to deal with the complex and continually changing nature of programs, services and benefits. Linkage to these services and programs are also available to isolated seniors and those with disabilities. This service also includes follow-up to assure service delivery to clients. Senior Information and Assistance can also link persons with older family members living outside the area with services in their community. This program is supported by county general, state and federal Title III funds.

Senior Nutrition Program

Provides older persons with a nutritionally sound and satisfying meal in strategically located congregate sites and/or in the seniors home. The program provides the framework and support for not only an American meal, but also a Kosher meal program. This program is supported by county general, state, federal Title III C funds, USDA, and participant donations.

Senior Medicare Patrol

Is a program designed to reduce the amount of federal and state funds lost due to health insurance fraud by increasing the public’s ability to detect and report possible fraud, waste, and abuse. This program is supported by federal funds.

Telephone Reassurance Program

Recruits volunteers from the community, senior centers and other volunteer programs to place daily reassuring telephone calls to senior citizens within Prince George’s County. The goal of the program is to eliminate some of the concerns facing senior citizens who live alone; thereby, assisting in remaining independent. The program provides the opportunity for senior citizens to connect by telephone with a friendly voice. This allows individuals to stay in contact with their community and to help decrease the feelings of loneliness and isolation. The program also provides added peace of mind for relatives who live out of town. This program is supported by federal Title III funds.

Partnership Programs

Heats on – Water's Off

Is a partnership program that offers free inspection, service and repair of plumbing and heating equipment for individuals who are elderly and/or disabled. In addition free installation of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is available. Partners is the program which includes the Prince George’s County Department of Family Services, Prince George’s County Fire Department and local mechanical service contractors.

Multi-Service Senior Centers

Provide five day a week senior centers offering a wide range of services, information, referral and assistance, education, health and special programs/classes, and other needed services available through various agencies. A hot nutrition meal is served daily and transportation is provided. Each center has individually scheduled programs and activities. Senior Centers are supported by various entities including the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), and the municipalities of Laurel, Bowie, and Greenbelt. In addition, the County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) provides transportation services and the Senior Nutrition program provides meals.

Senior Activity Centers

Provides social and recreational activities at nine locations scheduled one day per week for persons 55 years of age or older. This program is supported by the Prince George’s M-NCPPC.

Senior Care

Funds services for seniors who may be at risk of nursing home placement. This program is a partnership with the Health Department and Department of Social Services. Clients can access publicly funded services, or if they are not available, Senior Care will make arrangements with private vendors. These services can include personal care, chore, adult day care, financial help for medications, medical supplies, respite care, home delivered meals, emergency response system, transportation, and others. Senior Care is a gap filling program for seniors 65 years of age and older who have limited income and assets.

Senior Transportation Services (STS)

For older adults are provided by the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T). IN partnership with DPW&T, a variety of programs designed to assist older adults throughout the County are offered: Senior Nutrition Program Transportation, medical transportation, Activity Center Transportation, RSVProgram mentoring, and Foster Grandparent volunteer transportation.