Baltimore County MAP offers benefit screenings, loan-closet equipment and assistive-technology demos

Kerry Grafton, supervisor of Maryland Access Point (MAP) at the Baltimore County Department of Aging, outlined the program's services on the Time of Your Life radio program, saying MAP provides benefit screenings, referrals, a loan closet of durable medical equipment and demonstrations of assistive devices. MAP's office is at the BICOTA Senior Center in Towson and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; staff can be reached at 410-887-2594 or aginginfo@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Why it matters: MAP connects older adults and people with disabilities to benefits and local supports that can affect household budgets and independent living, including SNAP, energy-assistance programs, caregiverssupport and property-tax relief for eligible homeowners.

Grafton said MAP serves "both older adults and younger individuals with disabilities," and described the office as a "one-stop resource hub for information and resources within the Department of Aging and Baltimore County." MAP specialists screen callers using a Benefits Roster tool and a resource database to identify programs a caller may qualify for and will offer to send applications and publications by mail or email. "MAP is the main line for not only accessing Department of Aging Services, but also for getting community resources," Grafton said.

Grafton described a six-person information-and-referral team that can send the department's Community Resource Guide, provide printed applications and arrange follow-up by email or mail. She said callers commonly ask about benefits that help with expenses such as food, housing and utilities; MAP specialists also screen for related programs that callers may not request explicitly (for example, a caller asking about SNAP may also qualify for energy-assistance programs).

The program operates a loan closet of durable medical items such as canes, walkers, dressing aids and bathtub seats. "Any Baltimore County resident who is 60 years or older can borrow our equipment either for free or a small refundable deposit," Grafton said. Device demonstrations are available by appointment at the BICOTA Senior Center (room 220); examples Grafton cited include sock aids, voice-recorder readers for pill containers and pillbox alarm systems to support medication adherence.

MAP also coordinates guest presentations through a Speakers Bureau for local organizations on topics including senior centers, wellness programs, benefits, transportation and caregiver support. Grafton said these requests are scheduled through MAP and that organizations should contact the MAP line to request a speaker.

Grafton closed with a seasonal reminder about property-tax relief: MAP will make applications available for the homeowner's tax credit when that application period opens in a few months and encourages eligible homeowners to request a copy from MAP. "We would also like to remind folks that homeowners do need to reapply for that homeowner's tax credit every year in order to continue to receive the discount on their property tax," she said.

Contact and access: Grafton gave MAP's phone number as 410-887-2594, the email aginginfo@baltimorecountymd.gov and the office address as BICOTA Senior Center, 611 Central Ave., Room 220, Towson, MD 21204. MAP hours are Mondaythrough Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Time of Your Life episode is posted on Baltimore County's website with open captioning.

Less urgent details: MAP will mail or email benefit applications on request and can point callers to financial-assistance supports and vendors that sell assistive devices when loan-closet items are not available.