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St. Mary's County proclaims May 2014 Older Americans Month; county highlights senior services
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 2014 as Older Americans Month and Department of Aging and Human Services staff outlined injury-prevention messaging, senior center services and a county newsletter available by mail or online.
The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County, Maryland, on May 13, 2014, proclaimed May 2014 as Older Americans Month and heard presentations from staff of the St. Mary's County Department of Aging and Human Services about programs and outreach for older residents.
The proclamation emphasizes injury prevention — including falls, motor-vehicle incidents, medication overdose and burns — and calls on residents to recognize older adults and those who serve them. "Older Americans Month is a time for us to recognize older Americans, and we want to do that," said Lori Jennings Sarris, director of the St. Mary's County Department of Aging and Human Services.
Department staff introduced themselves and summarized programs for seniors, including home- and community-based services, an ombudsman and senior care program for residents in long-term care, caregiver support and respite services, volunteer placement through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and daily congregate meals and Meals on Wheels at senior activity centers. Alice Allen, division manager for Senior Center Operations, said the county provides daily meals and activities designed to keep older adults engaged.
Staff described three senior activity centers operated by the department: the Garvey Center (adjacent to the Chesapeake Building), the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall and the Woffler Center at Chancellor's Run Regional Park. Noreen Rowe, who manages RSVP in St. Mary's County, said the department mails about 4,000 copies of its New Beginnings newsletter every other month and that residents may request a mailed copy or view it online; department staff also noted an audio version is available for people who prefer to listen. Department staff directed residents seeking a mailed copy to contact the Department of Aging and Human Services (extension 1050 via the main county government number).
The presentations were ceremonial; no formal policy decisions or funding votes were taken during the proclamation segment. The county commissioners moved on to other business after the remarks.
