County approves Upper Shore Aging senior care program plan and signs FY26 state allocation

Kent County commissioners unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 Senior Care Program plan administered by Upper Shore Aging and authorized a commissioner to sign the plan, enabling the county to accept its portion of a $480,000 state allocation divided equally among Kent, Caroline and Talbot counties.

Herb Cain, executive director of Upper Shore Aging, told commissioners the senior care program serves county residents aged 65 and older with moderate to severe functional disability. Financial eligibility limits cited in the presentation were monthly income up to $3,997.50 and assets less than $11,000 for individuals; for couples the income limit cited was $4,565.83 and assets less than $14,000. Cain said Kent County received $160,000 for FY25 and will receive $160,000 for FY26 as part of the level state allocation.

Program outlines show 10% of funds for administration, 39% for case management and 51% for gap‑filling direct services (medical supplies, personal care, co‑pays, personal emergency response systems, chore services and transportation). Cain said the county served 72 seniors in the prior year and had no waiting list; he noted challenges in recruiting personal care and chore providers and rising costs for supplies.

A motion to approve the plan and allow a commissioner to sign passed by voice vote.