By 2030, nearly 40 percent of Talbot County residents will be over the age of 60. To help address the growing concerns for services for this age group, Maryland Community for Life℠ – Talbot hosted a presentation, “Innovations in Aging” by Rona E. Kramer, Secretary for the Maryland Department of Aging to a full house at the Brookletts Place – Talbot Senior Center.

Kramer spoke of the Department of Aging’s role to “keep Maryland residents living at home or in the community – wherever they want to age.”

She commented, “Within two years of entering an assisted living or nursing home, the average citizen spends down all of their resources. With this huge population aging, we can’t afford not to find better ways to serve everyone.”

Kramer explained that this means backing up services earlier in life and offering them at a reasonable cost to everyone who can afford them. Her recent trip to Israel to learn how they handle services for their aging population was enlightening. She said that in Israel there are no nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The country brings non-medical services to people in their homes as they age.

Photo: From L-R – Rona E. Kramer, Secretary for the Maryland Department of Aging; Frank Divilio, Talbot County Council; Delegate Johnny Mautz, Senator Addie Eckardt, Gary Gunther, Executive Director, Upper Shore Aging; Mayor Robert Willey; Chuck Callahan, Talbot County Council; Ron Engle, Easton Town Council; Pete Lesher, Talbot County Council; and Michael Bibb, St. Michaels Commissioner.

Maryland’s Department of Aging researched the “Community for Life” concept and helped communities implement this model locally. To date, there are five “Community for Life” communities in Maryland, including Broadmead in Cockeysville, Keswick in Baltimore, Ocean Pines, Allegany,  and Talbot County. This creative and unique program provides a package of services for homeowners and renters. Developed for older adults living independently in their own homes, the Maryland Community for Life program delivers key services in a cost-effective and supportive manner. Specifically, for a monthly fee, members receive basic home repair and maintenance by a community “Handyman,” a list of vetted contractors and contract review, transportation trips, as well as regular contact with a “Service Navigator” to help coordinate access to services and to assist with any needs that may arise.

Before introducing Lee Newcomb, President of the Maryland Community for Life℠ – Talbot Board, to present how the program works in Talbot County, Kramer highlighted a few other innovations being rolled out by the Maryland Department of Aging. These include a statewide Durable Medical Re-Use Program and a Senior Call Check Pilot Program.

Newcomb introduced Maryland Community for Life℠ – Talbot program, explaining that currently there are 21 members of the community, with 24 vetted volunteers serving them. She stated, “A Service Navigator, Stacey Woodworth, is now on board to serve members. She works with members to create a program that fits needs now and can be adapted as needs and circumstances change.”

Membership  in Maryland Community for Life℠ – Talbot is open to individuals or households up to three people aged 65 and older who live in Talbot County. Core services are personalized to individual needs. Membership to the program costs $80 a month. While the program does not provide medical services, the Service Navigator can connect members to medical services.

Newcomb clarified that members can receive eight round trips per household per month for their transportation benefits and up to four hours of “handyman” services a month. Social and educational programs are also being offered to members and the public to address social isolation. The first program on preventing fraud will be offered on January 18 from 1 to 2:30 at the Talbot County Free Library in Easton.

She added, “We also hope to offer supportive memberships for people who can’t afford the membership fee.”

Maryland Community for Life℠ – Talbot is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization operating as a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. MD Community for Life℠—Talbot is located at 10 S. Hanson Street, Ste 18, in Easton, Maryland. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To become a member or volunteer, email communityforlifetalbot@gmail.com or call 410-443-0760.  For further information, visit mdcommunityforlifetalbot.org. Contributions are tax deductible.

Representatives of Integrace Bayleigh Chase recently presented a donation of $1,806 to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland to benefit Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The funds were raised by the community’s “Fall Into Fashion” Luncheon and Show held on September 12.

Bayleigh Chase is a local leader in providing support to individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders through its residential neurocognitive support program and the Samuel and Alexia Bratton Neurocognitive Clinic.

Pictured (L-R): Carol Zimmerman, Eastern Shore Development and Outreach Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland; Anne Neary, President of Integrace Bayleigh Chase Residents Association; Andrea Lev, Integrace Bayleigh Chase Executive Director; Sherri Brown, Integrace Bayleigh Chase Director of Sales & Marketing.

About Integrace Bayleigh Chase

Located on a 35-acre campus in historic Easton, Bayleigh Chase is a not-for-profit life plan community that affords residents a lifestyle of flexibility and choice to live life on their own terms. Bayleigh Chase offers independent living options in its villas, cottages and apartment homes, as well as a continuum of supportive living services, including assisted living, neurocognitive support, outpatient and short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing and diagnostic and treatment support through the Samuel and Alexia Bratton Neurocognitive Clinic. For more information, please call 410-763-7167 or visit www.bayleighchase.org.

About Integrace
Integrace is a forward-thinking non-profit organization that strives to ignite in all people the passion for meaningful living. Integrace oversees a family of vibrant senior living communities in Maryland, including Bayleigh Chase in Easton, Buckingham’s Choice in Adamstown, and Fairhaven in Sykesville. Integrace is also a nationally-recognized leader in the art of neurocognitive support, with the Sykesville-based Copper Ridge community and Integrace Institute, as well as two neurocognitive clinics in Easton and Sykesville, serving as catalysts to a profound shift in how we perceive, and relate to, those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and many other forms of cognitive change. Integrace communities provide a continuum of services to support both residents and the greater community, including assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation and more. Each of these innovative programs focuses on person-centered living, honoring the abilities, possibilities and authenticity of each individual. For more information, please visit Integrace.org.

Talbot County is blessed to have a thriving senior center at Brookletts Place in Easton.  As the only county-run Senior Center in Talbot County, the center strives to continuously expand to provide even more for area seniors over and above our well-rounded menu of available services and resources. It is with this desire that we enter into a partnership with the YMCA of the Chesapeake.  By this time next year, we will be operating senior programs and meal services to residents in the Bay Hundred area from our permanent center housed within the St. Michaels Family YMCA. In order to do this, we must continue to rely on the generosity of our loyal sponsors and supporters.

In collaboration with the YMCA, we are planning our premier fundraising event of 2018, “Swing Fore our Seniors” Golf and Tennis Tournament. This exciting event will be run on two separate days with the tennis tournament on Sunday, September 30^th and the golf tournament on Tuesday, October 2^nd. Our planning committee expects this event to draw in over 150 participants and numerous spectators. It is our hope that members of the community would consider supporting this event.

The Tennis Tournament on September 30^th will have Mixed Doubles, Adult/ Youth and a Celebrity portion of the tournament.  The tournament will be held at the Peachblossom YMCA tennis courts and will include a picnic lunch.  Our Celebrity players will include a few of the Tennis Pros at the YMCA along with the YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO Robbie Gill. Bring the whole family to cheer on the players! The celebrity’s partner will also have a goal to raise funds for the Senior Center.  Look for these local tennis enthusiasts to be reaching out to you for your support!

The 18-hole scramble Golf Tournament will begin with a continental breakfast and registration at 9 a.m. and tee off 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 2^nd from the Hog Neck Golf Course.  There will be on-course beverages, free range balls, and an after-party celebration to include the golf and tennis communities.  A contest package featuring two mulligans, closet to pin and hole-in-one will be available, as well as a putting and chipping contest.  The tournament is open to all ages.

Childlene Brooks, Manager of Brookletts Place states she is excited about the upcoming tournaments and pleased to have the support of a committee of tennis and golf enthusiast to help make this premier event a reality.  Proceeds from the tournament will not only help with the expansion into the Bay Hundred area but will also help us continue to offer quality programs and activities at Brookletts Place.

Committee member and tennis player, Eleanor Shriver Magee states, “I think this is the best idea – who does not like to play and or watch two sports (tennis and golf) over two days and have the proceeds support such an amazing cause like TCSC! I cannot wait to swing my racket at this event.  And I know my fellow golfers feel the same way.”

Wayne Wilson, said, “I’m excited to be part of the planning committee for the Golf and Tennis Tournaments to benefit Brookletts Place.  As a resident of Baltimore County, I volunteered with the Sports and Recreation Program for physically challenged children.  Now that I’m a resident of Talbot County and older, I see (and feel) the needs of our seniors in Talbot County.  My wife and I are both members of the Senior Center and utilize the fitness and computer centers regularly.  Over the years we’ve developed new friendships at the Senior Center and, unfortunately, have seen some of those new friends pass.  But fortunately, they received multiple services at Brookletts Place and did not find themselves inactive or alone in those final days.  They were able to socialize, exercise, watch TV, play cards, travel, and eat a nutritious meal at least once a day with others.  As an employee for Talbot County’s Hog Neck Golf Course and avid golfer, I can’t think of a worthier cause.  If you cannot golf or play tennis, you can always be a sponsor or, volunteer your time and talents, or come watch the event.  You will see first-hand how vital it is to keep our Talbot County Seniors happy, healthy, and productive in their golden years.”

Online registration information for tennis is available at http://mscf.givezooks.com/events/copy-of-swing-fore-our-seniors-tennis-tournament-2018 and for golf at: http://mscf.givezooks.com/events/swing-fore-our-seniors-golf-tennis-tournaments-2018 or you may contact Childlene Brooks, at 410-822-2869 or cbrooks@uppershoreaging.org for a registration form and additional information.  Sponsorship opportunities are also still available either through the online registration link or by mailing your check payable to Mid Shore Community Foundation to Brookletts Place, 400 Brookletts Avenue, Easton, MD.