Ep. 711 | Longevity Ready Maryland: Aging with Dignity, Direction & Support

This week on The Senior Zone, host Shawn Perry welcomes Carmel Roques, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging, for a conversation about Longevity Ready Maryland and what it means for older adults, families, caregivers, and communities across the state. 

Then, Shawn is joined by Julia Schreiber, SHIP Manager, and Renee Stainrod, MAP Manager, to talk about practical support for Medicare questions, caregiver needs, long-term care planning, and how older Marylanders can find help before a crisis begins. 

Plus, we continue with Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman by Joel Simone, and the Later Life Lowdown. 

The Senior Zone airs Mondays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST on WYCB 1340 AM and streams live at www.MySpiritDC.com. Episodes are available after the broadcast wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.
 

Transcript

Opening Remarks & Weekly Vitamin

SPEAKER_05 0:01

Welcome to the finger zone.

SPEAKER_06 0:31

Good morning, good morning, family, and welcome to the senior zone, the DMV's number one weekly radio program serving our 50 plus community since 2012. I am your host, Sean Perry, and I am grateful to be walking with you again this Monday morning. And family, before we go any further, let me say this. Aging is not a problem to be solved. Aging is a life journey to be honored, supported, planned for, and protected. Today we're talking about what it means to grow older in a world that is changing fast. Families are changing, caregiving is changing, healthcare is changing, and the way we think about community, housing, transportation, money, and independence must change right along with it. That's why today's show is focused on aging with dignity, aging with options, aging with the right information in your hands before a crisis shows up at your front door. Now, let me also remind you the senior zone is now available on podcast by demand. So if you miss part of today's show or you hear something that needs to be shared with a loved one, a caregiver, a church member, a neighbor, or that one family member who always says, Nobody told me, we've got you covered. Just search the senior zone with Sean Perry wherever you listen to podcasts. And now, family, let me share this week's weekly vitamin with you, that dose of encouragement to carry you through the days ahead. Don't let age make you feel invisible. You are still becoming, you are still needed, you are still carrying wisdom somebody else is praying to find. So this week, don't shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Stand in your years, stand in your story, stand in your worth. Because getting older does not mean stepping aside. Sometimes it means finally stepping into the fullness of who you've always been, and that is your weekly vitamin. And now, family, in our first segment, Maryland is preparing for a future where more of us are living longer, and that means our systems have to catch up with real life. We're talking about more than programs. We're talking about dignity, caregiving, transportation, housing, financial security, connection, and making sure older Marylanders are not treated as an afterthought. That's the heart behind Longevity Ready Maryland, a statewide effort to help Maryland prepare for longer lives and stronger communities. Joining me soon to help us better understand that vision is Carmel Roaks, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging. And then in our second segment, we're going to bring this conversation closer to the kitchen table because vision matters, but so does knowing who to call when you have a Medicare question, when caregiving gets complicated, when long-term care planning feels overwhelming, or when you simply need help figuring out where to begin. Joining me in our second segment will be Julia Schreber, ship manager, and Renee Steinrod, map manager with the Maryland Department of Aging. And I look forward to those conversations. Later in the show, y'all, we're going to celebrate our birthdays of the week, spend a little time with Dear Grave Woman, featuring Joelle Simone, and then bring you your later life lowdown news, resources, and announcements you can use across the DMV. But before we take this first break, I want to send some love and some gratitude to our sponsors and partners. So thank you, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, AARP of the District of Columbia, AARP of the State of Maryland, Compassion and Choices, Jewish Counsel for the Aging and the DC Department of Aging and Community Living. We'll be right back after this short break, brought to you by Legal Counsel for the Elderly, providing free legal and social work services to DC residents most in need. Don't change that down. Show them perry in the city zone. I promise we'll be right back.

SPEAKER_07 5:04

Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of DC elders by providing free legal and social work services to those in need. Worried about eviction or foreclosure? Need help obtaining social security or veterans benefits. Call Legal Counsel for the Elderly at 202-434-2120. Income eligibility applies. LCE is an affiliate of AARP 202-434-2120.

SPEAKER_04 5:35

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SPEAKER_06 6:08

Welcome

Segment 1: Longevity Ready Maryland with Secretary Carmel Roques

SPEAKER_06 6:09

back. This is the Senior Zone, and I am your host, Sean Perry. Now, family, newsflash. Maryland is getting older, people are living longer, families are changing, caregiving is changing, housing, transportation, health, finances, community connection, all of it matters when we talk about what it means to age well. And that's where the Longevity Ready Maryland Act comes in. It's about helping Maryland prepare for longer lives, making sure older adults can age with dignity, purpose, security, and connection. And to help us better understand this act, and joining us now is my friend Carmel Rokes, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging. Madam Secretary, welcome to the Senior Zone.

SPEAKER_11 6:57

Thank you so much for having me. This is just a wonderful opportunity to meet not just with you, but also with your listeners.

SPEAKER_06 7:06

I am honored to have you. I am honored to have you, Secretary Rokes. So let's just jump right in. Let's start big picture. When people hear the phrase longevity ready Maryland, it sounds important, really it does, but maybe a little governmenty, if you will, in everyday language, what does it mean and why should older Marylanders and families care?

SPEAKER_11 7:29

So I agree with you. I wish there was a more user-friendly term. But when we talk about longevity, what we're really talking about is very simply longer lives. And one of the reasons that we chose longevity rather than aging or older people or seniors, we use that language of longevity was to really expand what it is we're going to be talking about. Because we're thinking about individual older people, myself included, and what our lives are like. But also as we go about our daily lives in society, what happens when you're living in a state where 25% of the people are over the age of 60? It's different than when you're living in a very young society, which we no longer are. So we wanted to talk about longevity so we could include both the individual life experience as well as talk about what it means to live collectively together as an aging population. And so this term longevity sort of captures Yeah.

SPEAKER_06 8:40

You know, Madam Secretary, one of the things I appreciate about this effort, and I believe it was signed by Governor Westmore in mid-April, if I'm not mistaken, somewhere around there, is that it looks beyond just senior services, right? It talks about housing and health and transportation, caregiving, finances, community connection, and so much more. Why is it so important to treat aging as a whole life issue instead of a single department issue?

SPEAKER_11 9:08

So there are a couple of reasons why. I think the main one is that we we don't live our lives, you know, in little segments like here's my transportation segment and here's my housing segment. We live our lives as full people with all of those things impacting our daily lives. And what we recognized was what we wanted our agency to be able to do for Marylanders, was to be able to lead and coordinate the effort across all the state agencies that serve older people, but also to look outside of government to the rest of society, to business, to to uh charity and philanthropy, to the uh academic and research world, and say what are the things that we need to consider so that all Marylanders can have the essentials in life. And when I think about that, it's it's very simple. We all want what I think of as um security, which is we need to have a place to live that's safe and works for us as a home, we need to be able to access nutritious food, we need to be able to see the doctor when we're sick and to afford medicine or treatment. So it's very basic kinds of things. And then we want to be able to be engaged. And for me, when I think about housing and transportation and health, all of those things, if they're not going well, if you don't have a car, you don't have a ride, or you're not you're not well, you can't get to the doctor, or you can't take your meds because you can't afford them, or it's actually as simple as as getting a meal, if those things are going well in your life, then there is no way that you can stay engaged. And for me, this is really critical. And we know this, we know that it isn't that older people withdraw from society, it's that we haven't organized our world around keeping older people apart, and so it's a two-way street. And so I'm really interested because of the health consequences for older people, if you become less and less connected to your neighborhood, to your family, to your friend system, to just generally the things that you need to have a good life, that's really bad for your health, and it's bad for your mortality. You're more likely to die young. So, or younger, I should say.

SPEAKER_06 11:55

It's all connected. It's all uh it absolutely is. You know, the past two weekends, Secretary uh Rokes, I spent uh a weekend in on the Eastern Shore, out in Eastern Trap, um, Maryland, and this past weekend was in Cumberland area, right? And so I learned in just how diverse and rich this state uh is urban, suburban, rural, wealthy areas, struggling areas, multi-generational families, so, so much. How does longevity-ready Maryland address the reality that aging can look very different depending on where one lives?

SPEAKER_11 12:34

So there's first of all, I couldn't agree more with you that Maryland is an amazing state in that you you the differences from one end to the other are just striking. And one of the things that I got to do and I still do is travel the state and visit the local area agencies on aging and the senior centers. Um and so I have that uh that true sense of how different it is, depending on where you are, how the lives of older people are very much impacted by where they live. And it isn't just urban, suburban, rural, although those are very um distinct differences and present different opportunities and challenges for people. It's also as um uh sort of as as micro as we say, hyperlocal, um uh as what is your zip code? What literally what block do you live on? And what we know is depending on where you live, uh you may live a longer or a shorter life. And that's because our neighborhoods are the places where we either do or don't have transportation, do or don't have access to health care, do or don't have access to healthy meals, are connected to our neighbors. That all happens at the local level. So one of the things we're very aware of and we pay attention to and we use our dashboard, we have a public-facing dashboard on our website to actually have people be able to look and say, Well, why is it that if you live in you know Roland Park, you live 10 years longer than if you live in Cherry Hill? But what's happening here? Or why is it that the population in some of our rural counties, there are so many more older people than younger people? What does that mean for them to folks and and the way they live and what's happening in their in their geographic areas? So that's something that we're paying very close attention to. And actually, there's funding right now that's coming into the states for rural health transformation, the rural health transformation grants, and we're using that money in Maryland to leverage that across health, housing, and aging services to uh focus resources in rural communities around health and technology and transportation. And I'm looking forward to see how all of that plays out over the it's a five-year rolling series of grants, how that works for all of us.

SPEAKER_06 15:23

You know, I don't get to travel the state as much as you do, I'm sure, but when I do, uh, Madam Secretary, a lot of older adults tell me I don't want to be treated like a problem to be managed. That's kind of what I hear I'm translating a bit there. Uh, they want to be seen as people with wisdom and experience and value and purpose. How does this plan help reframe aging as an asset rather than as a burden?

SPEAKER_11 15:51

So for me, that's the the core of what it is we're trying to do. And we we have a little way we talk about that. We talk about reframing aging. But basically, what that means is recognizing that we have a bias in our society, a prejudice, you might say, against aging itself. And that shows up against older people. And what we want to do is to make it really clear that yes, it's true, the the latter part of our lives is different than the very beginning of the butt doesn't mean it's all challenge and all burden. And we want to make sure that we're very clear that older people are incredible contributors to our economic well-being in Maryland. You know, 30% of the workforce is over the age of 50. We have we are in we're a state with the third highest number of people over the age of 65 working still. So we're talking about people who are working, paying taxes, and contributing in the workplace. Then we have the folks that are caregiving in this state, and they are the backbone of long-term care in this country and in our state, and they are contributing literally billions of dollars of free care, unpaid care to the state of America. Then we want to think about how do older people show up in our families, in our communities, so they're mentors, they're volunteers, they're uh many times their grandparents caring for grandchildren, raising their grandchildren. And so we're saying uh we have this story in our country that older people are a bird and they're primarily sick and fragile and cognitively impaired, and if you look at the actual data, that's just not true. Um, and it and we need to shift what's happening in our heads and in our imaginations if we want to live differently.

SPEAKER_06 18:12

Yeah, absolutely. We remind people every week here on the Cena Zone, uh, Madam Secretary, that getting older does not mean getting invisible, right? And so let me switch back. You mentioned caregiving, right? So let's talk about caregiving for a second. So many of our listeners are either caring for someone, being cared for, or quietly wondering who will care for them down uh the road. How does longevity ready Maryland look at the future of caregiving in a way that supports both older adults and family caregivers?

SPEAKER_11 18:44

So we know that in Maryland we have a little over a million people who are providing care in their families to loved ones. And we know that if we were going to pay for that, it would be about $24 billion if the state would pay. So this has always been a really important issue for me. I started my my uh professional life as a geriatric social work, a clinical work with older people and their families, and in particular with older people who had diagnoses of dementia. And so this has uh been central to my sense of what we need to do in Maryland and across the country if we are going to uh afford the dignity and the well-being to both older people and their families that they deserve and we want them to have. And so, with the longevity ready Maryland plan as well as the act, one of the things that we focus on is how can we support caregivers. So the and I I know my staff will probably talk more about this, but we have some very specific things that we've done. We um are leading the National Family Caregiver Initiative here in America, and so that means that we're looking at how do we get respite services to people who are caregiving? How do we help people who are caregiving sometimes providing very complex medical care to their loved ones? How do we make sure they have the support and the information that they need to do that? And there's some things that are happening with age-friendly health systems right now where you can't actually be discharged from the hospital now unless the hospital sits with you, the family caregiver, and makes sure you understand and are part of the plan of care, and that you have the necessary resources you need to enact the plan of care. So there are things that are starting to happen across multiple domains, I think, that that recognize that there are a lot of folks out there providing care in their families. And then I have a very specific um focus, which is I'm very concerned about what we call the sandwich generation. And these are typically women, but it's increasingly you know, sons and grandsons, not just daughters and granddaughters, that are caring for a younger generation and an older generation, and that's because we're living longer. So you may have actually grandparents and great grandparents plus children that are being cared for, and that group in the middle is also working many of them, over 60% of them, full time. So we have this group of people who are working and providing. Central care for multiple generations in their households. And one of the things we're looking at is what needs to happen to make sure you can step out of the workforce to provide care and be able to come back into the workforce without being penalized. What we know is typically if you step out of the workforce at midlife, which should be your peak earning care, you never financially care. You miss opportunities to save money and you miss out on growing your income. And so we're looking at how do you make sure that the actual workbook recognizes and supports the fact that there is this massive cohort of people who are working and caregiving at the same time. And they need a break. They need a real break.

SPEAKER_06 22:53

Yeah, Madam Secretary, I am going to invite you back now because I have so much more to cover, and we are not going to get through all of it. I have questions on housing and transportation and purpose. But one question I do have, and I hope we can get it in, I want to talk about ageism, right? Sometimes the biggest barrier older adults face is not their health, it's not their income, as you just talked about, not even their age. It's how society sees them. How does uh how do we begin changing the way Marilyn talks about aging and older people?

SPEAKER_11 23:28

So one of the things that we did when we were sort of parallel to talking to our um stakeholders about the multi-sector plan and what should go in the plan was we did a whole engagement around reframe aging and we portrayed about 600 people on this changing the narrative, thinking differently about what it means to be older in our society today. And the main thing is that we need for people to sort of check their assumption that chronological age is the same as being sick. I think that's the main thing. We we associate you know being older with having chronic illness, having cognitive impairment, and being frail. And what the data increasingly shows as we actually are becoming healthier in late life is that's just not true. And so um I I think it's like so many other sort of is that we have to check our assumptions against the reality. And a part of what's happening is as we have an older workforce, everybody's having to kind of acknowledge well, maybe everybody who's 60 doesn't need to just go sit in a rocking chair. It's like we're starting to get confronted by the actual reality of older people being active and engaged and in our society and anyway. The other thing that's happening, and I always say follow the money, there is a huge industry that is being built on the fact that profits can be made from the fact that people are living longer, they are living healthier or they want to live healthier and they want to stay in game. And so you need to just sort of look around and start to realize that a lot of what is being created and being sold is now thinking about the fact that we're actually talking to people in their 70s and 80s. We're not just talking to even baby boomers who are in their 50s and 60s or you know, all of the other generations behind. Um so it's happening, it's a reality.

SPEAKER_06 25:53

Yeah, you know, what I've learned, Secretary uh Rokes, around ageism is uh that words matter, right? Uh attitudes matter. And if we keep treating aging like it's decline only, we miss the beauty and the power and the possibility and the possibilities of this stage of life. So thank you, thank you, thank you. My last question for you, uh Secretary Rokes, is uh how can our listeners, you know, uh make sure their voices are part of the conversation as we learn more about the longevity ready uh Maryland Act?

SPEAKER_11 26:29

So we have a couple of things we're doing to try to uh keep this a dynamic, engaged process for a long time. This is not one and done. This isn't like, oh, we made a plan and then we had the plan. You know how that goes. Um, so I would encourage people um to go onto the website aging.maryland.gov or to go to lrm.maryland.gov. And on the both those web pages are opportunities for you to actually it it tells you you can engage your you know where you can tell us what you're interested in, right? So we're collecting that kind of input and feedback, and then we're also finding ways that we can tell stories, um, either with videos or in other ways, and we're um doing a uh sort of a focus uh interview kind of activity that we're gonna do where we want to talk to real people about their real experience and then share that. Um so that's gonna be coming pretty soon. We already have some uh some of those uh videos being created right now. So I think the if if you're interested in longevity ready Maryland, go on the website, look at the Reach newsletter, look for the places where it says, you know, if you want to engage, you can do this. And we also are gonna, I'm gonna just sort of pitch the um Maryland Commission on Aging. We have uh meetings that are open to the public. And a lot of what the commission is gonna do under the new Maryland uh longevity ready Maryland Act is be a source of guidance for the agency as we move forward with the plan. And so anybody in the public can join a meeting of the Maryland Commission on Aging and can speak. We ask we you know, we usually have you speak toward the end, so we kind of do the business and then you know, people can speak, people can just listen. Um, so I would encourage that if people want to actively as an avenue to actively participate.

SPEAKER_06 28:54

Once you get that information to us, we'll do our best to put it out on our social media that's so that folks can participate and uh and stay uh engaged. Secretary Carmel Rokes, thank you, thank you, thank you for joining us today here on the Senior Zone Family. What I hope you heard in this conversation is that aging is not something Maryland can afford to treat as an afterthought. Longer lives require better planning, stronger communities, more coordinated systems, and a deeper respect for the value older adults bring every single day. Longevity Ready Maryland is not just about getting older, it's about living longer and living better with dignity, purpose, security, and connection. Secretary Rokes, again, thank you, thank you, thank you for your leadership and thank you for helping us better understand the road ahead.

SPEAKER_11 29:41

Thank you for having me, and I do hope I get to come back.

SPEAKER_06 29:45

You are certainly invited and welcome to come back anytime. Just pick the phone up, my friend. Folks, this next break is brought to you by Compassion and Choices, empowering everyone to chart their own end of life journey. We'll be right back.

SPEAKER_01 29:58

And life choices matter. Compassionate Choices is here to support you on your journey. Our organization provides a wealth of resources to help you navigate difficult decisions with compassion and understanding. Need guidance on end-of-life choices? Visit our website at compassionatechoices.org for a range of informative articles, toolkits, and personal stories. Our compassionate team is just a call away, ready to assist you. Because, let's face it, talking about death is not gonna kill you. Compassionate choices, empowering you to make choices that reflect your values.

SPEAKER_02 30:33

Hi, neighbor. I'm inviting you and your wife to my husband's 65th birthday party next week.

SPEAKER_00 30:38

Great! Has he applied for Medicare yet?

SPEAKER_02 30:41

Not yet. It's very confusing.

SPEAKER_00 30:43

Call Montgomery County Ship. They help me with questions about my Medicare coverage.

SPEAKER_02 30:49

What's Montgomery County Ship?

SPEAKER_00 30:51

It's Ship, like a boat. Montgomery County State Health Insurance Assistance Program. They help seniors like us, or people with disabilities, or caregivers and families with Medicare insurance questions.

SPEAKER_02 31:04

Can anyone call them?

SPEAKER_00 31:05

Sure, as long as you live in Montgomery County. You can call them at 301-255-4250. Or check out their website at www.medicareabcd.org.

SPEAKER_02 31:18

What's that number again?

SPEAKER_00 31:20

Montgomery County Ship. 301-255-4250. Made possible with a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living through the state of Maryland and Montgomery County.

Segment 2: SHIP, MAP & Real-Life Support with Julia Shreiber and Renee Stainrod

SPEAKER_06 31:32

Welcome back. This is the Senior Zone, and I am your host, Sean Perry. In our first segment, we spoke with Maryland Secretary of Aging, Carmel Rokes, about the broader vision of aging in Maryland. Now we're bringing that conversation down to the real life level. Medicare questions, caregiver support, long-term care planning, and knowing where to turn when you need help. So joining me now are Julia Schrieber, SHIP Manager, and Renee Stainrod, Map Manager with the Maryland Department of Aging. Julia and Renee, welcome to the senior zone. Thank you so much. It's an absolute pleasure. Julia, I'm going to start with you. When people hear ship, they may not immediately know what that means. So for the older adult listening right now, or the caregiver sitting in the car saying, Do I need this? Explain what SHIP is and what kind of help Marylanders can actually receive.

SPEAKER_10 32:28

First of all, thank you for having us. To put it simply, we help people navigate Medicare. So SHIP stands for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, and we provide free one-on-one counseling to help people with Medicare understand their benefits. Whether you're turning 65 and signing up for the first time, you're looking for a way to lower your prescription drug costs, or even trying to understand a confusing medical bill, our certified counselors throughout the state can sit down with you and help you figure it out.

SPEAKER_06 33:01

Gotcha, gotcha. And I appreciate that in the work that you do as well. What are some of the most common Medicare questions, Julia, that you see and mistakes that you see as well from older adults as well as their families, especially when they're trying to choose or change coverage?

SPEAKER_10 33:18

There are actually a few I'd like to highlight. One of the most common misconceptions that we see is that you can just set it and forget it. So many people pick a plan and they stay with it for years. The problem is that insurance companies change their cost in cover drugs often each year. So it's important to compare plans during open enrollment each year, which is something that CHIP can help with. Another common issue is missing critical enrollment deadlines, which can lead to financial penalties that often aren't just a one-time fee. They actually can last a lifetime or for as long as you have Medicare. So if you do miss a deadline, our counselors can help see if you qualify maybe for a special enrollment period that can eliminate that penalty. And then the third thing I'd highlight, and I think Renee will be able to speak to a little bit more, is we see a lot of confusion around what Medicare doesn't cover. So many people are surprised to find out that long-term care is not covered by Medicare. Same with comprehensive dental envision. And I think Renee might have some some other, might touch on some other options.

SPEAKER_06 34:33

Yeah. You know, you can't help but turn on the TV today, right? Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and see advertising. Some of it can feel aggressive, uh, certainly confusing. So why is it important that people know that ship counseling is free? That's the four-letter F word we love here on the senior zone, free, as well as unbiased.

SPEAKER_10 34:53

So this is critical. And I think one of the best assets of SHIP, um, especially around enrollment time, everyone's mailbox and TV are flooded with those ads that can quite honestly be pretty enticing. But it's important to know that insurance brokers are often paid a commission to sell specific plans. So they have a financial incentive to kind of direct you in in um a certain way. But SHIP doesn't sell anything. We're funded by the government, so our services are entirely free and our counselors have no financial interest in what you choose. Our only goal is to find the plan that fits your health needs and budget.

SPEAKER_06 35:37

Gotcha. And when someone, uh Julia, is struggling, say, with prescription costs, right? Or plan choices or understanding what Medicare does and does not cover, you just referenced uh one thing, their long-term care planning. How does SHIP help them walk through those decisions?

SPEAKER_10 35:54

This is actually one of the things that we help with most frequently. So I I'd consider it our bread and butter. So if it particular in terms of prescription costs and prescription plans, if you bring us a list of your current prescriptions, we can actually plug those in and show you exactly which plans will cost you the least out of pocket. Um, we can talk through which pharmacies are maybe more affordable than others, what to do if a plan doesn't cover a medication, or even setting up a payment plan to help you spread the costs out over the year. Um we also screen people for programs like extra help and the senior prescription drug assistance program, which can lower costs for those with limited income.

SPEAKER_06 36:43

Gotcha. And for a son or a daughter, a caregiver of a loved one, uh, and they have Medicare questions and they reside in the state of Maryland, how can they reach your department?

SPEAKER_10 36:55

Um if they call 410-767-1100, they can be directed to their local office or speak with our front desk. You can also call call map and you'll get connected with the local counselor. So there's a lot of different pathways.

SPEAKER_06 37:12

Gotcha. And Julie, if you go on the CND zone, we repeat those telephone numbers twice. So if you can give it out one more time, I'd appreciate it.

SPEAKER_10 37:18

410-767-1100 or aging.marilin.gov backslash ship. Aging.marilyn.gov backslash ship.

SPEAKER_06 37:33

Gotcha. I appreciate all the work that you do, Julia. Uh, and I and thank you, thank you, thank you for coming on to the senior zone. Renee, let me bring you in here uh right now because once we move beyond Medicare, families often run into another challenge, as you already know. They know they need help, but they don't know what kind of help, where to find it, and who to call first. So, with that being said, the Maryland Access Point map is often described as a no-wrong door system. For our listeners, Renee, what does that really mean in plain language?

SPEAKER_09 38:07

Well, that's a really great question. And again, I would like Julia said, I want to thank you for having us. Um, so again, that's a great question, really. What does no wrong door really mean? Um it really means that uh you don't have to guess who to call when you need help. Um, you can give uh any map office a call and they're able to direct you to the services that you need. Um, if you have an aging parent who needs support, they can just call map. Um, this no wrong door approach is really the key strategy to the state's longevity ready Maryland plan. Um it's a goal to remove the frustrations and bureaucracy for families and make it a lot easier to access support.

SPEAKER_06 38:46

Gotcha. And I love that phrase, no wrong door, because a lot of families are just exhausted before they even get to the right uh door. So I appreciate that phrase uh tremendously. What kinds, what kinds of real life needs, uh, Renee, can MAP help with? Things like transportation, meals, housing concerns, etc. Tell us more about MAP.

SPEAKER_09 39:09

Absolutely. Um, so uh we offer um real life needs um when it comes to families throughout the state, um, really practical, everyday things that keep folks independent, right? Um so if you need rides to the doctor, we can connect you to senior transportation. Um if you if cooking becomes a difficulty for our seniors or those living with disabilities, we can provide home-delivered meals. Um, we can help with um installing grab bars or ramps to make accessing um your uh in and out of your home um more available, um, and connecting folks to senior centers, um, making sure that folks have uh opportunities for engagement.

SPEAKER_06 39:52

Yeah, you know, here on the senior zone, I never forget about our caregivers. Uh Renee, they are truly our unsung heroes. With that being said, how can MAP support caregivers who may not even identify themselves as caregivers uh yet, but they're the ones, you know, holding it down, right? You know, for our parents, our spouses, our neighbors, and our loved ones. Tell us more about caregivers and map.

SPEAKER_09 40:15

Absolutely. So when it comes to caregivers, it's very common to not even see yourself as a caregiver, right? Um, people say I'm not a caregiver, I'm just a daughter taking care of my mom, I'm just a sister, you know, taking care of my loved one. Um, but if you're managing groceries, doctor visits, um, paying bills for a loved one, you are a caregiver. Um, and that can certainly wear you down. Um, so we've we've recently partnered with the Johns Hopkins University to create the uh caregiver checklist tool. Um it provides in-depth and localized resources for caregivers and their loved ones to offer uh respite support, to offer um trainings and other resources to take some weight off the shoulders of the caregivers because they are holding down the fort, as you said.

SPEAKER_06 41:04

Yeah. Sometimes, you know, Renee, and I know you already know this, people wait until there's a crisis, right? A fall, a hospital discharge, a memory concern, a sudden change in health before they reach out, raise their hand for help. So, with that being said, Renee, when should someone uh contact MAP? Should they wait until there's an emergency, or is MAP also useful in planning ahead?

SPEAKER_09 41:27

Absolutely. So please don't wait until you have an emergency. Um, call us when things are going well, right? Uh the best time to call MAP is before you have a crisis, before the fall, before the medical diagnosis, um, before anything changes, right? Um planning ahead is absolutely best. Um, but if you are in the middle of a crisis, please call us anyway. Um, we are the experts in connecting families to the right resources.

SPEAKER_06 41:57

Gotcha. Now, this next question is for both of you. I want to bring both of you in uh right now because I think this is where the work actually uh connects. If an older Marylander or caregiver is overwhelmed or doesn't know whether they need ship, whether they need map, or their local area agency on aging or some other service out there, what should they do first? Tell us what should they do first?

SPEAKER_09 42:20

Um so uh for me, um I would say just call map, right? Um R Ship uh and MAP counselors are sometimes one and the same. Um so uh if you call the your local map office or you call the 211 map link line, you can also get connected to your local map office or your local ship counselor. Um so as we say and m doa, just call map. Just call map. And is there a contact number for map that's separate from ship, uh Renee? Absolutely. So um, you know, for um just those simple INAs and really just get get get connected to your local map. Um we say call the map link line. So that's 1844 M-A-P-L-I-N-K. So that's map link. Very simple. We try to have uh catchy slogan so folks tend to remember.

SPEAKER_06 43:18

All right, folks, that's 844 map M-A-P Link, L-I-N-K. Rene, I'm I'm sorry, Julie, I'm gonna direct that same question uh to you.

SPEAKER_10 43:29

I um I have to echo what Renee says. You know, the no wrong door. You can always just call MAP and get to get connected with any of the services.

SPEAKER_06 43:39

Gotcha. And this last question, again, is for both of you. Before I let you go, I always like to leave our listeners with something practical, something they can write down, share with a friend, a neighbor, or just keep on their refrigerator. With that being said, my new friends, what is one thing uh each of you wish every Marylander, older adult, or caregiver knew about that? Help that is available through the Maryland Department of Aging. Julia, I'll start with you.

SPEAKER_10 44:04

I'd I'd just like to share that you're not alone in this. Medicare is complicated by design, but you don't have to figure it out all on your own. There are trusted, free local experts waiting to help you make informed decisions about your health insurance.

SPEAKER_06 44:21

Gotcha. Thank you, Emily Nett.

SPEAKER_09 44:22

Absolutely. Um so what I wish everyone knew is that asking for help is an is a strength, right? Um it's not a loss of independence. Um the services that we connect folks do with Matt are uh designed to give you more control over your own life, more independence. Um so that goes in with the state's longevity ready Maryland plan, the state's tenure plan for um aging Marylanders.

SPEAKER_06 44:47

Well, Julia Schreiber and Renee Steinwart, this has been my honor. This is your first time here on the Senior Zone. You are welcome back any uh time. But thank you, thank you, thank you for joining us here on the Senior Zone.

SPEAKER_09 44:58

Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_06 44:59

All right, family, if you're in Maryland and you need help understanding Medicare, finding services, supporting a caregiver, or figuring out the next step. The Maryland Department of Aging and its partners are there to help. Don't wait until you're overwhelmed. Sometimes one phone call can make the path a whole lot clearer. Again, Julia Schrieber and Renee Steinrott. Thank you, thank you, thank you, my friends. Thank you so much. All right. Folks, you're listening to the Cena Zone, please stay with us. This next break is brought to you by AARP DC, your wise friend and fierce defender in Washington, D.C. When we return, it's birthdays of the week, followed by Dear Grave Woman, featuring Joelle Simone, and then it's your later life lowdown, news that you can use. We'll be right back.

SPEAKER_01 45:45

Today is your day to connect with AARP and DC. AARP is here in the District of Columbia working hard to make it an even better place to live, work, and play for people of all ages, and you can help. Put your skills and talents to good use as an AARP volunteer where you can help lead local events or become an advocate for the issues that matter in your community, like funding for programs that help district residents age with dignity and independence. AARP is also helping you get the most out of life. Check out their educational workshops where they can help you grow as a caregiver, find a job, and teach you about the latest technology, or enjoy a night out at any of their exciting local events, like their happy hours and free movie screenings. Today is your day to connect with your community and with AARP. So let's take on today and every day. Learn more at aarp.org slash dc.

SPEAKER_03 46:44

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday.

Birthdays of the Week

SPEAKER_06 47:27

Monday, June 22nd from Rockville, Maryland. Happy birthday, Ruth. Lisa Stroud, 60 years young. Monday today, June 22nd from North Bethesda, Maryland. Happy birthday, Lisa. Vanessa Roberts, 72, today as well, June 22nd from Chicago, Illinois. Happy birthday, Vanessa. John Nelson, 67. Tuesday, June 23rd from Henderson, North Carolina. Happy birthday, John, and thank you for listening. Karen Rhodes, 68, tomorrow as well, June 23rd from North Potomac, Maryland. Happy birthday, Karen. Rick Reynolds, my homie, right here. We go way, way back. 63 on Tuesday, June 23rd from Akakeke, Maryland. Happy birthday, Rick. Evelyn Spencer, 84 on Wednesday, June 24th from Hyattesville, Maryland. Happy birthday, Evelyn. Jackie Lyles McGee, 70 years young on Wednesday, June 24th from Alexandria, Virginia. Happy birthday, Jackie. Isaiah Ike Leggett, former county executive for Montgomery County, turns 81 on Wednesday, June 24th from Potomac, Maryland. Happy birthday, Ike Leggett. Annabelle Matthias or Matthews turns whatever she turns. She didn't leave her age, but she turns that age on Thursday, June 25th from Washington, D.C. I have confirmed that she is a senior. And last but not least, we have Veronica Sowell, 76 on Friday, June 26th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Veronica. To each and every one of you celebrating this week, and from all of us here at the Senior Zone, we say Happy Birthday. May this new year of life bring you peace, strength, laughter, good health, and the reminder that your life still matters, your story still matters, and your presence is still a blessing. And

Dear Grave Woman by Joel Simone

SPEAKER_06 49:24

now, family, we move into another meaningful part of the program, Dear Grave Woman, featuring Joelle Simone. This is where wisdom, memory, love, grief, healing, and life lessons all meet in a way that reminds us that aging is not just about the years behind us, it's also about the meaning we carry forward. So let's take a moment, lean in, and receive this week's Dear Grave Woman by Joelle Simone. Joelle, take it away, my friend.

SPEAKER_08 49:52

Hey, Sean. Hey everybody, and welcome back to Dear Grave Woman, your three-minute segment here on the Senior Zone, where I, your host, Joelle Simone, discuss life, death, grief, pre-planning, and everything in between. So for the last couple weeks, we've been talking about mistakes as well as things that kind of complicate pre-planning. Today I want to shift gears a little bit and share three things that make pre-planning significantly easier for both you, the individual, your family, and the professional. Number one, the number one thing I can suggest to anyone, and when I work very hard with the families and communities that I work with to accomplish is to help you get clear on your values before you choose any services or merchandise. Before looking at your prices, it's important that you decide what actually matters to you. Simplicity versus ceremony, burial versus creation, religious or cultural traditions, who you want to be involved in, what you don't want. Clarity here removes overwhelm and prevents you from being swayed by others or standard bundles that don't fit your vision or your needs. Number two, to work with a provider who is everything in plain language and not sales language. I pride myself on being a provider who is able to break down what is required versus what is optional, what is guaranteed versus what is variable, and what your family or loved ones will actually experience a professional who takes the time to do those things and to talk to you as a person and an individual as opposed to just a client or a number is invaluable. And so if you don't get that feeling, I would suggest that you don't work with that person. And last but not least, it is to create a one page plan for your loved ones. Last week we talked about one of the biggest barriers to successful pre-planning being that sometimes people make replans and no one knows that they exist. And so the biggest friction point here is not the actual planning, it's the retrieval of those plans. When your family doesn't have access to search, guess, or argue, everything becomes smoother in a very difficult moment. Thank you so much for your attention this week. And Sean, back to you for the later life lowdown.

Later Life Lowdown

SPEAKER_06 52:35

Thank you, Joel, for another beautiful and thoughtful, dear grave woman. Family, I say it often. Sometimes a few words spoken from the heart can stay with us longer than a whole conversation. And Joelle, she has that gift. And now, family, we're gonna keep it moving with your later life lowdown where we share helpful news, resources, events, and reminders for older adults and caregivers as well as families across the DMV. First, in the district, the DC Department of Aging and Community Living continues to be a key starting point for residents aged 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and caregivers looking for support with senior centers, nutrition services, caregiver programs, case management, wellness, and community connection for help. Call the DC Department of Aging and Community Living at 202-724-5626. That's 202-724-5626. Also in DC, Aroundtown DC continues to serve as an event director for people age 60 and up, especially for programs and activities in wards 2 and 3. If you're looking for something to do, a class to take, or a reason to get out and stay connected, this is one to keep on your radar. And one more for the District of Columbia from June 14th through June 28th. Eat to 50. America at the Table is bringing together restaurants and food-centered events across the DC area. It's a reminder that food is more than food. It's culture, memory, family, migration, and community. So if you're able, check out something new, support a local restaurant, and enjoy the flavors of this region. Now, in Maryland, the Maryland Access Point, as we talked about earlier, or MAP remains one of the best first calls for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers who need help finding services, supports, financial resources, health-related programs, and long-term care options. You can call MAP at 844-MAPLINK or 844-627-5465. That's 844-627-5465. Also in Maryland, the City of Hyattesville Older Adult Programs continues to offer support for seniors and residents with disabilities, including programs focused on connection, wellness, and aging well in community. And this week, Hyattesville has an intergenerational program scheduled for Thursday, June 25th from 12 noon to 2 p.m. And for our Montgomery County family, Montgomery Parks continues to offer 55 and better programs, including fitness, nature walks, social opportunities, and lifelong learning. So if you've been saying I need to get out more, this might be your reminder. And in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County's Aging, Disability, and Caregiver Resources line is a helpful starting point if you're not sure where to begin. They can help connect older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities to resources such as meals, home care, respite, transportation, housing, and legal services. Just call 703-324-7948. That's 703-324-7948. And in Arlington, the 55 Plus Program continues to offer a wide range of activities through its quarterly 55 Plus Guide, including fitness, arts, education, social programs, and more. Many programs are absolutely free with a 55 Plus pass. For more information, call Arlington's 55 Plus Programs office at 703-228-4747. That's 703-228-4747. And across Northern Virginia, don't forget that 211-Virginia can also help connect older adults and families to local services. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. And a single call can help point you in the right direction. That's 211 in Virginia. And this one is a national resource reminder. No matter where you live, remember this benefitscheckup.org.org. It's a free and confidential tool that can help older adults and people with disabilities find programs that may help with things such as food, health care, prescriptions, utilities, housing, transportation, and more. Just visit benefitscheckup.org.

Closing Reflections & Podcast Reminder

SPEAKER_06 57:41

Well, family, the pencil broke. That is all she wrote. Thank you for spending time with us here on the Senior Zone, the DMV's number one radio program serving the 50 plus community. Today we shared information, encouragement, resources, and conversation designed to help you live better, age stronger, and stay connected to the people, programs, and possibilities around you. And one more thing the senior zone has always been about more than just a moment. It's about building something that lasts. That's why we're now available as a podcast so these conversations can live on, they can be revisited, and they can be shared. Just search the senior zone with Sean Perry wherever you listen to podcasts. So, until next time, keep taking care of yourself, keep checking on each other, and keep remembering that growing older is not the end of your story. It's still a powerful, meaningful part of your journey. This is Sean Perry, reminding you to keep your head high, keep your heart full, and always be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow. We love you. Peace.