Through my active membership in GROWS, I am connected with social service and government agencies, caregivers, religious organizations, eldercare professionals and senior living communities dedicated to addressing the needs of seniors. The members of this organization meet once a month to provide education and networking to better serve our Montgomery County older adults. Find a member here: http://growsmc.org/Directory
Engage@HOME
Engage@HOME is a new YouTube Channel from Montgomery County’s Caregiver Support program. We spotlight non-commercial and trusted virtual opportunities to help viewers NEST WELL through community engagement. Episodes feature: topical interviews and video content that enhances quality of life and personal resilience. Subscribe on the Engage@HOME channel and receive updates when new content is available. To view the entire collection of featured materials view the Playlists. They are organized by category too! Published by: Montgomery County Maryland’s Caregiver Support program http://montgomerycountymd.gov/senior The Engage@HOME channel is produced and hosted by Lylie Fisher To follow more local community engagement visit: http://moco-caregiver.blogspot.com If you require immediate caregiver assistance contact Montgomery County’s Aging and Disability Services: 240-777-3000.
https://www.youtube.com/c/MoCoEngageatHOME/playlists
Caring.com
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia have physical and psychological effects that can make it difficult for seniors to maintain their independence. If you have a loved one with one of these diseases, it’s important to understand the changes that can occur. Learn more at Caregiving Resource Center.
Having dementia puts older adults at risk of several types of crises, including wandering, increased aggression, hallucinations and depression. This guide covers the most common crisis situations and offers tips for preventing them. It also explains what to do if one of these crises occurs and provides some resources to help you navigate the complexities of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Learn more at A Crisis Guide for Caregivers of Seniors with Alzheimer’s or Other Dementia.
Caregiver Action Network
The theme for 2020’s National Family Caregivers Month is “Caregiving in Crisis.” During NFC Month 2020, CAN will be addressing the new realities family caregivers face with their loved ones during these uncertain times.
Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN (the National Family Caregivers Association) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.
https://caregiveraction.org/mission-and-goals
Montgomery County is designated by the World Health Organization/ AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities as an Age-Friendly County. Start at the Montgomery County website to find many of the resources available to our older adults living in the community. https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior/
WATCH 50+ in Montgomery County https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ccm/seniorstoday.html
COA Commissioner Katie Smith leads this show’s effort to share news and information of interest to senior residents of Montgomery County. Program airs on Comcast ch 6, 996 (HD), RCN ch 6, 1056 (HD), and Verizon ch 30 at the following times: Sunday 6:00pm | Mon – (10:00am) | Tues – (1:00am, 12:30pm, 6:00pm) | Thurs – (2:30am, 6:00pm) | Fri (10:30am) | Sat – (2:00am). On youtube at https://youtu.be/2v2rjcK1f24
Montgomery County Recreation’s popular Senior Sneaker Program gives adults age 55+ access to 19 quality exercise/weight rooms across the County for a very affordable $50 annual membership fee.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/activitiesandprograms/seniors/sneakers.html
Montgomery County Recreation partners with Suburban Hospital to offer Senior Shape, a low-cost, certified instructor-led, exercise program.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/activitiesandprograms/seniors/shape.html
Active Adult 55+ Programs: Fitness, games, lectures, parties, entertainment, sports, and many other programs and classes are available.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/seniorcenters/55activeadultprograms.html
Transportation Programs: Montgomery County has several low cost and no cost programs to get from one place to another.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/activitiesandprograms/Seniors/Transportation.html
Senior Call Check is a FREE service available to adults 65+ in Maryland. Receive an automated daily call at a time you designate. After 3 attempts and no answer, we will contact your alternate person to check on you. Registration is easy – online or over the phone!
https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/senior-call-check.aspx
The Positive Aging Sourcebook provides a great database of resources for Older Adults including housing options: www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com
The website AgingCare has forums for caregivers and daily newsletters that help ask and answer real day-to-day issues that caregivers face. The database for housing is easy to use. You can put in “assisted living Rockville, MD” and 24 options show up with a links for more information.
The Senior Resources Blog has articles that are useful and interesting about aging in place and transitioning to your next home.
Mesothelioma Resources
To learn about The Mesothelioma Prognosis Network, go to: https://www.mesotheliomaprognosis.com/doctors/treatment-centers/
Selecting the right cancer treatment center for a mesothelioma patient is not an easy task, but it might be the most important decision a family can make for a loved one.
Do it carefully. The difference between cancer centers — when it comes to the treatment of malignant mesothelioma — can be worth exploring.
There are hundreds of good cancer centers spread across the U.S., but only a small percentage of them really excel in the treatment of mesothelioma, the rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
To learn more about Mesothelioma Lawyers and Financial aid, go to Mesothelioma Financial Aid.
Mesothelioma Cancer Network
Medically reviewed and verified by certified oncologists and hematologists, they provide the most current and detailed information about the asbestos industry and its health impacts. It is their mission to raise awareness and reach those who may need assistance. Mesothelioma Cancer Network.
Sokolove Law Community Support Options for Veterans
Sokolove Law is committed to helping veterans in the community suffering from asbestos-related diseases and has put together a helpful list of resources, including healthcare options, non-profit organizations, specialized programs, veteran support groups and VA resources, to help our brave heroes find the help and support they deserve.
Mesothelioma.net
Providing reliable information and resources for people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Learn about emerging treatments, doctors, therapies, and how to find financial assistance. Mesothelioma.net
LawFirm.com
Victims of asbestos exposure who developed mesothelioma may be able to file a lawsuit against the companies that manufactured the asbestos products they were exposed to. Additionally, loved ones of asbestos victims who passed away may be entitled to mesothelioma wrongful death settlements.
Most mesothelioma claims result in out-of-court settlements. The average mesothelioma settlement amount is over one million dollars.
Welcome to Senior Planet Montgomery!
Senior Planet helps seniors learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make new friends. Courses, programs, and activities are changing the lives of older adults far beyond technology.
https://seniorplanet.org/locations/montgomery-county/
Retire Guide
Whether you are in the early stages of retirement planning or looking for ways to grow your retirement savings, this website is designed to help make those decisions easier. Especially helpful are the easy to understand explanations on Medicare, Insurance, Investments and much more.
The articles are current and relevant to the topics we are all talking about today. The site has four “Guides” including a voting guide. It is more important than ever to vote and change the direction of the leadership in Congress and the White House.
The Simmons Cancer Institute
The Simmons Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University (SIU) is a community-based patient care, research, education and outreach program established to improve cancer care. Since 2010, The Simmons Cancer Institute has worked endlessly to support cancer research and help find a cure.
Helping Seniors Adapt to Digital Money
Here is data-driven guide called “Digital Money for Seniors”. It explores key facts and challenges faced by the elderly in a world increasingly accustomed to digital banking.
Here’s the full guide for your reference – https://www.comparethemarket.com/credit-cards/content/digital-money-for-seniors/
The guide shares important insights such as:
- How the rapid move towards online banking and digital services risks leaving older people behind.
- The importance of digital inclusion and age-friendly banking to reliably meet the needs of the elderly.
- Great examples of industry initiatives that help teach and support seniors to use digital services.
- Useful tips and advice to offer help to elderly relatives or friends when using smartphones and the internet.
Privacy in the Digital Age
Here is a blog post that tells you what is at stake and how to protect yourself. The sheer amount of time we spend using the internet, and the number of life’s activities that have moved to the digital realm, speak to how important this technology has become. One of the biggest questions is what has the internet done to privacy? Read more here.
What you should know about inheritance and IRAs
When it comes to inheritance and IRAs, nothing is straightforward. Even though the inheritance rules are the same regardless of account type (Roth IRA, traditional IRA, SEP IRA, etc), each inheritance case is unique. By the end of this guide (click this link), you will understand:
- The importance of having a will
- The tax implications of inheritance for spouses and other beneficiaries
- The different scenarios that can occur in inheritance planning
- The rights spouses and beneficiaries have in the process
- Extenuating circumstances that could change the outcome of an inheritance
- How inheritance works for different types of assets outside of an IRA
This guide (click this link) will give you a comprehensive overview of the implications of inheritance planning for IRAs. Read on to discover more about inheritance and IRAs. Please consult your own financial advisor and attorney for advice on what is best for your personal situation.
Is Maryland watching out for your loved ones?
Read my blog post and take a look at Chicago Law Firm Levin & Perconti’s comprehensive guide regarding nursing home abuse. They write that any kind of abuse leads to serious consequences for our loved ones who have been entrusted to the care of professionals we thought were watching out for their best interest and safety. This abuse can lead to physical injuries, emotional harm, and even death as we have seen especially in the early months of the pandemic.