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2026 News and Information

If you're interested in accessing archived press releases or editorials, please contact Barbara Sigler, MDOA's Communications Director at [email protected].

Maryland Equips is a Technology First Program

Maryland Equips provides free medical equipment and assistive technology to Marylanders with any disability, illness, or injury who need support to remain safe at home and connected to their communities. ​​It is a joint initiative committed to the Technology First framework, which aims to lead with innovation first when exploring support options to empower Marylanders to live, work, and play in their communities with greater independence, self-determination, social inclusion, and enhanced quality of life.

Maryland Durable Medical Equipment (DME)​ Re-Use  ​​

Maryland DME Re-Use provides medical equipment to Marylanders with any illness, injury, or disability, regardless of age, at no cost. Pediatric equipment is also available​. The application process through DME Re-Use is typically less complicated and faster than through many insurance providers, and products are available for pick up at several distribution centers across Maryland.​As a Technology First resource, it offers accessible equipment that helps reduce reliance on more restrictive supports.​

Available DME Products

• Crutches, canes, and knee scooters*
• ​Wheelchairs​*, power wheelchairs* and power scooters*
• Rollators and walkers
• Shower chairs and tub transfer benches
• Bedside commodes and toilet safety rails
• Home hospital beds*
• Mechanical lifts ​*
• And more…

*Complex DME equipment has a different application form that requires input from a qualified medical professional.​

Getting Started

• Visit the Maryland Durable Medical Equipment Re-Use Program web page for more information, including lists of all available products, and pickup locations. ​ ​
• Apply for DME
• To talk to someone at DME, Call 240-230-8000  or email [email protected]

Maryland High-Tech Assistive Technology Reuse (MATR)​​ Center 

The MATR​ Center offers high-tech assistive technology to Maryland residents with disabilities. MATR supports the Technology First framework by providing innovative resources paired with training and support to help users integrate them into daily life.​​

Available MATR Products

• CCTVs/video magnifiers/magnifiers
• iDevices
• Adapted computer keyboards, mice, switches
• Speech communication devices
• Personal sound amplifiers
• Eye-gaze systems​​

Getting Started

• Visit the High-Tech Assistive Technology web page for more information.
• Apply for Assistive Technology
• To talk to someone at MATR: Call Shawn Bateman at 410-554-9232 or email [email protected]

Maryland Accessible Communications (MAT)​​Program 

The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program provides Maryland residents with an opportunity to apply for free telecommunications equipment to independently make or receive phone calls.

MAT program offers a wide variety of solutions and tools—from amplified phones  to captioned telephones to tablets—to support day-to-day communications.​

Available MATR Products

• Text telephones (TTYs)
• Braille TTYs for people who are deaf/blind
• Hearing Carry-Over (HCO) phone
• Voice Carry-Over (VCO) phones
• Tablets
• Captioned telephones
• Amplified phones
• Wheelchair pad phone switches​

Getting Started

• Visit the Telecommunications Access web page for more information.
• Apply for Accessible Telecommunications Equipment
• To talk to someone at MAT, call 800-552-7724 or 410-767-7253 (Voice/TTY) or 410-801-9618 (Video Phone)​

Assistive Technology and Services

Maryland's Assistive Technology and Services program provides waivers to Marylanders with developmental disabilities for access to assistive technology and services to help with activities of daily living. The program also includes an assessment of needs and assistance in locating and using assistive tech. Products available through the program can include speech and communications devices, visual or hearing support, adaptations for computers, toys, or equipment, and a range of other supportive tech to improve independence, safety, and quality of life.  ​

Getting Started​

Visit the Assistive Technology and Services web page for more information about the program for people with developmental disabilities.

​Assistive Technology Navigator

The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration​'s Assistive Technology Navigator provides information about a wide range of innovative tech that can help Marylanders with disabilities live, work, and play in their communities. It includes information about communications tools, computer access, support with daily living activities, memory or cognitive supports, employment supports, recreation supports, and environmental adaptations for household living.

Getting Started:

Visit the Assistive Technology Navigator web page for more information. 

​Statewide Portable Ramp Loan Program

The Maryland Department of Disabilities' Assistive Technology Program has partnered with centers for independent living across the state to make available a variety of portable ramps to consumers who need short-term solutions for getting in and out of their homes. Ramps are typically loaned for up to 120 days (4 months) and are fully compliant with ADA requirements for portable ramp access. Ramp borrowers must arrange for ramp pick up from the local CIL and coordinate the return of the ramp at the duration of the loan.

Getting Started​

• Visit the Statewide Portable Ramp Loan Program web page for more information.

​Assistive Technology Low-Interest Loan Program

The Maryland Department of Disabilities Assistive Technology Program (MDTAP) offers a low-interest financial loan program that can be utilized to help finance assistive equipment, accessibility modifications to homes and vehicles, and the purchase of adapted and non-adapted vehicles. 

Getting Started​

• Visit the AT Low-Interest Financial Loan Program web page for more information.
• To talk to someone in the AT Low-Interest Loan Program, call 1-800-832-4827 or email [email protected]​

​3D Printed Assistive Technology Program

​​The Maryland Department of Disabilities Assistive Technology Program (MDTAP) hosts a small 3D Printing lab for creating an array of low-tech assistive devices free of charge for Marylanders with disabilities. In some cases, MDTAP can print custom devices not included in their catalog, or augment things to work better for a particular person. 

Getting Started​​​​​​

• Request 3D-Printed Technology
• To talk to someone in the 3D Assistive Technology Program, call 1-800-832-4827 or email [email protected]

​Older Marylanders

For services and supports for older Marylanders, ple​ase contact Maryland Access Point.

• Phone: 1-844-MAP-LINK (1-844-627-5465), or dial 211
  Website: marylandaccesspoint.211md.org​​

Local Communities

Connect with your district's Area Agency on Aging for support at the local level. 

Administrative Inquiries

For administrative inquiries, please contact the Maryland Department of Aging.

• Address: 36 S Charles St, 12th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
  Phone: (410) 767-1100 or (800) 243-3425
  Fax: (410) 333-7943

Representation Requests

I​f you ​would like Secretary Carmel Roques or another member of our team to attend or speak at an even​t, please fill out the Sche​​​duling Request Form​.​

Letters of Support 

A Request for Letter of Support will be considered for Maryland institutions of higher education and state agencies only. 

FY27 Aging-in-P​​lace Notice of Funding Opportunity​

Application Deadline: June 1st!

Don’t miss this funding opportunity intended to enable low-income older Marylanders who face declining health and social isolation to live in their homes and participate in their communities safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age or ability.

Community-based organizations and Area Agencies on Aging that provide essential programming, service coordination, and support within high-need areas are encouraged to apply.​​

• Information Session: Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 10am-11am EST
• Final Day to Submit Questions: Monday, May 25th, 2026, at 2:00pm EST
• Application Closing Date: Monday, June 1, 2026, at 5:00pm EST​

Make an Impact in the Lives of Older Adults

Search Employment Opportunities

The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) offers full-time, part-ti​me, contractual, and internship opportunities. Our family-friendly policies provide the support and flexibility you need at work and at home. Benefits include a generous leave package, medical coverage, healthcare and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts, participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan, ​two supplemental retirement plans, and flexible work schedules. 

Apply for an Internship

An internship with MDOA is a perfect way to connect what you're learning in school to the real work of serving older adults and their families. In addition to gaining valuable hands-on experience, you’ll meet dedicated public servants and leaders in the field of aging who can become mentors. You will see firsthand how a state agency works to make a difference in the community. By the end, you’ll walk away with more confidence, a clearer career path, and the satisfaction of knowing you've had a positive impact on the lives of older Marylanders, care providers, and their families.

Volunteer Opportunities 

Volunteers play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for Maryland’s older population while developing essential career-building skills in communications, problem-solving, teamwork, and program coordination. ​​The benefits of volunteering go beyond the good feeling that comes from helping others, offering a chance to make new friends and put your skills to work. There are several ways to volunteer for MDOA:

• ​State Health Insurance Assistance Program​​ (SHIP), and  Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): SHIP volunteers are trained to provide unbiased, confidential counseling to help older adults make informed decisions about Medicare enrollment and ​benefits. SMP volunteers help Medicare beneficiaries prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. ​If interested, fill out the SHIP and SMP Volunteer Interest Form.

Carmel Roques, Secretary 

​Appointed by Governor Wes Moore in 2023, Secretary Carmel Roques has transformed Maryland’s approach to aging through a career-long dedication to ensuring all Marylanders lead healthy, financially secure, and purposeful lives. Her tenure at the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) is anchored by the 2025 launch of Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM), the state’s first comprehensive multisector plan designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities of a growing older population.

Under the leadership of Secretary Roques, MDOA has begun the work of implementing LRM, modernizing the Department’s operations, fostering new collaborations among partners, and expanding equitable access to vital resources across the state.

A recognized expert in dementia, palliative care, and community health, Secretary Roques brings over four decades of leadership experience to her role. Her distinguished track record includes a ten-year tenure as President and CEO of Keswick, as well as executive leadership positions at Catholic Charities, Virginia United Methodist Homes, and Episcopal Ministries to the Aging. She has proudly served as the Chair of the Maryland Philanthropy Network and the LifeSpan Network, and currently serves on the the Maryland Commission on Aging.

In addition to her policy work, Secretary Roques is deeply committed to community service, having served on the boards of Maryland Humanities, The Village Learning Place, and the Friends and Foundation of Howard County Library. She currently serves on the Visioning Committee for the National Bureau of Economic Research Coordinating Center on the Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. ​

Secretary Roques' contributions to the field and the community have earned her consistent acclaim from The Daily Record, which has named her one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, a Top CEO, and an Influential Leader in Health Care. She holds a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and a Bachelor of Arts from Mills College in Oakland, California. She resides in Columbia, Maryland.​

Jennifer Crawley, Deputy Secretary  

Jennifer Crawley, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Aging, brings to the department 25 years of combined experience in local government and the private healthcare industry, including program administration, population health, patient advocacy, building and facilitating collaborations, stakeholder engagement, care coordination, and leading cross-functional teams.

Prior to joining the Department as the Director of Multisector Planning for Aging, Jenna served as the Area Agency on Aging Administrator for Howard County, where she oversaw programs and services for older adults, caregivers, and individuals living with disabilities, including establishing and directing pandemic response services and initiating Howard County Age-Friendly.

Before serving in Howard County, Crawley oversaw daily operations of Medicaid home and community-based long-term care services for the District of Columbia Department of Healthcare Finance and was the Chief Social Worker for a home-based primary medical care team. Crawley earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from UMD, College Park.
 

What is ​​the Older Americans Act?

The Older Americans Act (OAA), originally passed in 1965, is a foundational federal law that supports a​ wide range of home- and community-based servi​c​​es for older adults across the country. The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) receives OAA funding to guide the development and allocation of essential supports and services throughout the state, including home-delivered and congregate meals, caregiver support, transportation, health and wellness initiatives, and protection against elder abuse administered by local Area Agencies on Aging and community organizations.

“There’s a lot of things I can’t do that you automatically do every single day. These are things you take for granted until you cannot do them … The aide that helps me, I think she’s wonderful! If they stopped tomorrow, I don't know ​what I would do."​   ~Glenda

OAA's Impact in Maryland

• ​​​Nutrition Services: Over 8,000 older Marylanders receive home-delivered meals each day. An addit​io​nal 3,400 receive meals in a community setting. More than 3 million meals are served each year to older Marylanders.
• Caregiver Support: More than 100,000 caregivers​ receive short-term respite care, adult day care services, transportation assistance, and other supports each year. More than 107,000 older Marylanders receive care services.
• Senior Center Programs: M​ore than 50,000 Marylanders participate in health promotion programs like exercise, chronic disease prevention classes, and immunization clinics, many of which take place at Maryland’s 117 Senior Centers.
• In-Home Personal Care: Older Marylanders receive more than 20,000 units of support each year with chores and activities of daily living to help them live safely in their homes and communities.
• Long-Term Care Support: Ombudsmen visit Maryland’s 1,850 assisted living and nursing homes nearly 7,000 times each year, resolving approximately 3,300 complaints from residents.
• Transportation Services: More than 125,000 rides are provided each year to older adults who need help getting to medical appointments and running other important errands. Another 886 people receive other forms of transportation assistance.

Resources

• Access services provided by OAA funding:​ Maryland Access Point is your portal to finding out what programs and services you may be eligible for. ​​​​
• ​Share your OAA Story: Help support OAA funding for years to come by telling us how the OAA has made an impact in your life, or the life of someone you know. 
• The Older Americans Act in Maryland: - PDF - 1.24 MB Let others know how important OAA funding is for Maryland communities by downloading and sharing a flyer about OAA's impact in Maryland. ​

Evaluating Progress Made in Nursing Home and Assisted Living Care

The Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities is dedicated to improving the quality of nursing home and assisted-living care statewide.

From the Maryland Department of Health, the Deputy Secretary of Health Care Financing reports annually to the Committee on the status of the Medicaid Nursing Home Reimbursement System. Also, annually, the Office of Health Care Quality in the Maryland Department of Health reports to the Committee on the status of quality of care in nursing homes. As the Committee reviews these reports, it develops further proposals on how to improve nursing home and assisted-living facility care (Code Health-General Article, sec. 19-1409​).

In addition to its original charge, the Committee also may consider staff training and development; the rights of residents; data on resident satisfaction; resident assessments; resident care planning; monitoring of residents; and the change of resident status (Chapter 473, Acts of 2018 - PDF). Further, the Committee may review legislation and proposed regulations that may affect nursing home and assisted living facility care, and make recommendations both to the General Assembly and the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review.

​Next Meeting:

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 12:30-2:30pm
Google Meet video call link: meet.google.com/cgd-bhax-tpt ​
Or dial: (‪US‬)  ‪+1-636-442-2964    PIN: 785 902 656#

Members:

• CHAIR: Carmel Roques, Secretary, Department of Aging
• Heather Reed, Secretary, Department of Health
• Tia Witherspoon, Office of Health Care Quality
• Stefani O’Dea, Behavioral Health Administration
• Greg Sesek, Department of Human Services
• Kristen Bosak, Department of Disabilities
• Karrie Craig, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
• Honorable Pamela Beidle, Finance Committee
• Delegate Tiffany T. Alston, House Health and Government Operations Committee
• Delegate Ken Kerr, House Health and Government Operations Committee
• Heang Tan, Area Agency on Aging
• Karen Sylvester, Area Agency on Aging
• Gail Gannon, Local Ombudsman
• Joseph Demattos, Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM)
• Kathryn Graning, Mid-Atlantic Lifespan
• Molly Kirsch, Hospice Network
• Catherine Hamel, Maryland Hospital Association
• Claudia Balog, 1199 SEIU, United Health Workers East
• Tammy Bresnahan, Maryland Chapter, AARP
• Virginia Crespo, United Seniors of Maryland
• Anne Geddes, Mental Health Association of Maryland
• Megan Peters, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Maryland Chapter
• Karin Lakin, Maryland Association of Adult Day Services
• Marcy Hunter, Assisted Living (10+ Residents) Representative
• Beverly Mlynar, Consumer Representative
• Joanne L. Smikle, Consumer Representative
• Alan L. Breitler, Consumer Representatives

For more information, minutes and, annual reports, please contact: Lisa O'Connor at 410-767-1085, ​​[email protected].

​​The Maryland Public Information Act (“PIA”) laws can be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article §§ 4-101 to 4-601. General information and frequently asked questions about the PIA can be found on the website of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General​. 

If you wish to request public records from the Maryland Department of Aging, please submit a request in writing to:

Andrea H. Nunez
Legislative Director and PIA Representative
Maryland Department of Aging
36 South Charles Street, 12th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Phone: (443) 414-8183 (direct)
(410) 767-1100 (main)
Email address: [email protected]

In your written request, please be as detailed as possible in describing the type of MDOA records you are seeking, and include the dates of the records, e.g., a range of months or years.

Studying the Impact of State Policy on End-of-Life Care

The State Advisory Council on Serious Illness Care​ was created in October 2002 under Sections 13-1601 through 13-1604 of the Health-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Council studies the impact of State statutes, regulations, policies, and other aspects of public policy on providing care to the dying. The Council monitors trends in the provision of care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and participates in public and professional educational efforts concerning the care of the dying. The Council also advises the General Assembly, Office of Attorney General, Department of Aging, and the Department of Health on matters related to the provision of care at the end of life.​​

Meetings

​​Next Meeting

Date: April 27, 2026
Time: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/wex-bjia-ikp 
Phone Number (‪US‬): +1 413-369-1425‬ PIN: ‪252 344 132‬#​

2026 Upcoming Meetings

• May 18
• June 29
• July - No Meeting
• August - No Meeting
• September 14
• October 26​
• December 14

For more information and minutes, please contact: Lisa O'Connor at 410-767-1085, ​​[email protected].

Reports and Correspondence​​

On December 1, 2020, the Council (under its original name) submitted a report to the General Assembly with recommendations for increasing the use of advance directives, including electronic advance directives. As stated in the report, the Council recommends:

1. Requiring, encouraging, or incentivizing insurance companies to offer digital advance care planning as a covered benefit;
2. Embedding advanced care planning into health system workflows with a particular sensitivity to underserved communities;
3. Making it easier to complete, upload, and retrieve electronic advance directives;
4. Encouraging persons to complete advance directives through supporting existing public awareness campaigns and promoting National Healthcare Decisions Day in Maryland; and
5. Giving the Maryland Health Care Commission the authority to direct advance care planning policies amongst all stakeholder groups, including the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP), payers, providers, and citizens. 

Health​ Care Decisions

The Council has worked with stakeholders and state agencies on important issues impacting the end of life and serious illness care. On the Maryland Department of Health's Advance Directive Program website, you will find helpful information regarding advance directives, legal and policy issues, and resources for individuals and health care providers. The site also includes a wallet card to inform health care providers of the existence of an advance directive. In addition, the site features useful links to w​ebsites containing information relevant to care at the end of life, including details on the Maryland Health Care Decisions Act.​ ​

Ethical Framework

The decision-making process that leads to excellent care should not be a lucky happenstance. Instead, its component steps should be identified, reflected in pertinent policies, and carried out routinely. To assist health care facilities with this important work, and after extensive consultation, the State Advisory Council on Serious Illness has issued an Ethical Framework for decision making. Principally written by Dr. Steven Levenson and endorsed unanimously by the Council, it identifies the steps for not only complying with the Maryland Health Care Decisions Act​ but also gives practical meaning to the ethical principles that underlie the Act. The Council recommends all health care facilities and programs utilize the Ethical Framework (adapted as appropriate to the particular setting) in their staff training, policy documents, and routine clinical practice, when appropriate.

Longevity Ready Maryland

The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) is pleased to present its State Plan on Aging in accordance with the Older Americans Act of 1965* for federal fiscal years 2026-2029. Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) is the first of its kind in the nation, where a four-year State Plan on Aging is integrated with a ten-year Multisector Plan for Aging, setting Maryland apart from other states. It outlines four Epic Goals in eight priority areas that define short, mid, and long-term outcomes that will help pave the way for a Longevity Ready Maryland. 

We are pleased to partner with a dynamic network of 19 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to provide the local infrastructure needed to implement the plan, and invite you to download the LRM Multisector Plan for Aging - PDF - 8.94 MB to participate in its success. 

The Maryland Department of Aging is also required to prepare an LRM Annual Report - PDF - 1.5 MB each year. Our first was issued on December 31, 2025.

*In accordance with the Older Americans Act of 1965, the Maryland Department of Aging is required to develop and implement a State Plan on Aging to provide a framework for programs, activities, and services for older adults. The current state plan is in effect October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2029. ​

Maryland's Village Model Directory

At Home Chesapeake

• Severna Park in Anne Arundel County
• athomechesapeake.clubexpress.com
• [email protected]

Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America

• Nepali Speaking Community in Baltimore
• banaonline.org
• [email protected]

Bannockburn Neighbors Assisting Neighbors
 

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• Bannockburncommunity.org
• [email protected]

Bethesda Metro Area Village

• Bethesda Metro Area in Montgomery County
• bmavillage.org
• [email protected]

Bradley Hills Village

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• bhv.clubexpress.com
• [email protected]

Burning Tree Village

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• burningtreevillage.org
• [email protected]

Cabin John

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• cabinjohn.org

Cheverly Village

• Cheverly in Prince George's County
• cheverlyvillage.org
• [email protected]

Chevy Chase At Home

• Chevy Chase in Montgomery County
• chevychaseathome.org
• [email protected]

Chinese American Parent Association of the Baltimore Community (CAPA-BC)

• The Greater Baltimore Area in Baltimore County and Baltimore City
• capabc.org
• [email protected]

Friendship Heights Neighbors Network

• Friendship Heights in Washington DC
• fhneighbors.org
• [email protected]

City of Rockville Villages

• Rockville in Montgomery County
• rockvillemd.gov/2008/Rockville-Villages
• [email protected]

City of Rockville VSN (RAVE)

• Rockville in Montgomery County
• villagesupportnetwork.org
• [email protected]

Community Connect Calvert Hills (CCC)

• College Park in Prince George's County
• [email protected]

East County Village Seniors, Inc.

• Eastern Montgomery County
• ecvillageseniors65plus.org
• [email protected]

Elimu Community Village

• Middle River / Essex in Baltimore County
• [email protected]

FELD West End Village

• Rockville City’s Great Falls Area in Montgomery County
• [email protected]

Friendship Heights Neighbors Network

• Friendship Heights in Washington DC
• [email protected]​

Golden Age Village

• Baltimore County
• isb.org/programs/golden-age-committee/
• [email protected]

Greater Olney Go Rides / Olney Home for Life (OHFL)

• Olney, Sandy Spring, Brinklow, Brookeville, and Ashton in Montgomery County
• gorides.org
• [email protected]

Greater Stonegate Village

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• stonegate.clubexpress.com
• [email protected]

Helping Hands University Park

• University Park in Prince George's County
• upmd.org/189/Helping-Hands-UP-Committee
• [email protected]

HomePorts

• Kent County
• homeports.org
• [email protected]

Hyattsville Aging in Place

• Hyattsville in Prince George's County
• hyattsvilleaginginplace.org
• [email protected]

King Farm Neighbors Village

• King Farm, Rockville in Montgomery County
• kfnv.org
• [email protected]

Leisure World

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• [email protected]​

Little Falls Village

• Little Falls, Bethesda in Montgomery County
• littlefallsvillage.org
• [email protected]

​Long Branch Village Initiative​

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• [email protected]

Manor Connections

• Manor Park in Washington DC
• manorconnections.org
• [email protected]

Mill Creek Village, Inc.

• Derwood in Montgomery County
• millcreekvillage.org
• [email protected]
• 240-686-5870

Mo-Co Mid-County Village

• Middle Montgomery County
• meetup.com/moco-mid-county-village-20906-aging-in-place-supp/
• [email protected]

Montgomery County Village Consortium

• Montgomery County
• mocovillages.org
• [email protected]

Muslim Community Center

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• mccmd.org
• [email protected]

Neighborhood Companions Inc.

• Turner Station in Baltimore County
• neighborhoodcompanions.org
• [email protected]

Neighbors Helping Neighbors of College Park

• College Park in Prince George's County
• NHN-CP.org
• [email protected]

North Bethesda Village

• North Bethesda in Montgomery County
• northbethesdavillage.org
• [email protected]

North Chevy Chase Connections

• North Chevy Chase in Montgomery County
• northchevychaseconnections.org
• [email protected]

Northwest Neighbors Connecting

• North Baltimore (Cheswolde, Glen, Cross Country, Fallstaff, Mt. Washington, Pikesville, and beyond) in Baltimore City and Baltimore County
• nnc.clubexpress.com​
• [email protected]

Parkside Village

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• parksidevillagemd.org
• [email protected]

Potomac Community Village

• Potomac in Montgomery County
• potomaccommunityvillage.org
• [email protected]
• 240-221-1370

Prathertown Community Development Corporation

• Gaithersburg in Montgomery County
• www.prathertown.org
• [email protected]

Queen Anne’s at Home

• Queen Anne’s County
• queenannesathome.org
• [email protected]

Rockville Town Center Village

• Rockville in Montgomery County
• rockvilletowncentervillage.org
• [email protected]

Silver Spring Village

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• silverspringvillage.org
• [email protected]
• 240-833-5580

Somerset Helping Hand Senior Village

• Somerset County
• townofsomerset.com/about_us/
  helping_hand.php

Strathmore Bel Pre Village

• Strathmore at Bel Pre in Montgomery County
• [email protected]

Tamarack Triangle Village

• Tamarack Triangle, Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• tamaracktrianglevillage.org
• t[email protected]

The Village in Howard

• Howard County
• thevillageinhoward.org
• [email protected]

Village at Kentlands & Lakelands

• Gaithersburg in Montgomery County
• villagekentlandslakelands.org
• [email protected]

Village of Takoma Park

• Takoma Park in Montgomery County
• villageoftakomapark.com
• [email protected]

Villages of Kensington

• Kensington in Montgomery County
• villagesofkensingtonmd.org
• [email protected]

Village Support Network (VSN)

• Montgomery County
• villagesupportnetwork.org
• [email protected]

West Rockville Connects Village

• College Gardens, Haiti, Plymouth Woods, Regents Square condos and Woodley Gardens Coop, Welsh Park (including College Square), West End (including Rose Hill Falls), Monument Park, and Woodley Gardens in Montgomery County
• westrockvilleconnects.org
• [email protected]

Wyngate & Maplewood Neighbors Helping Neighbors

• Wyngate & Maplewood Communities of Bethesda in Montgomery County
• wmnhn.org
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Program Information

Senior Call Check and Social Connections (Program) is a free service that provides automated check-ins to program participants (Participants) by telephone. Participants are prompted to respond to the check-in by pushing a button on their phone. If there is no response to the prompt, the Program will send up to two more additional check-ins before calling the Participant’s chosen alternate contact (Alternate). If the Alternate answers the phone or the call goes to voicemail the call will be deemed a successful contact. If the Alternate cannot be reached, a Program representative will place a live call to the Participant (first) and Alternate (second) before notifying local nonemergency services to request a welfare check. See the No Alternate Chosen section below for additional information on what happens if the Participant has not chosen an Alternate. For additional program information, visit seniorcallcheck.maryland.gov

Eligibility Requirements

Maryland residents age 60 and older who have a landline or cell phone (TTY is available) are eligible to be Participants in the Program.

Alternates should be reliable adults who understand their role and agree to participate. They should also have a reliable phone connection.

No Alternate Chosen

If a Participant cannot assign a suitable Alternate, a third-party contractor of the Program will place one live call to the Participant. If the Participant does not respond, the contractor will notify local nonemergency services to request a welfare check.

Verification Process

Participants will be notified when they are accepted in the Program and informed when the daily call checks will begin.

If an application is denied, the applicant will be informed why. 

Additional information may be collected during the verification process to assist local nonemergency services if they are needed to respond to a welfare check request. Providing this additional information is optional, and may include vehicle information, notable health conditions, and contact information of others who have access to the Participant’s home.

Suspending or Cancelling Services

Participants can temporarily suspend check-in services for up to 30 consecutive days, or cancel services entirely by calling 1-866-502-0560. Please allow between 2-7 business days to process the request. 

Senior Call Check Live

This optional service includes weekly live calls from Program representatives who provide a more personal check-in experience through a brief conversation. If the Participant declines the call, no alert is triggered and no further action is taken.

Rules and Standards 

In order to participate in the Program, a Participant must agree to the following rules and standards. The Program may terminate a Participant’s enrollment for misuse of the service, or for failure to follow any of the Terms and Conditions.

• Application Procedures: Participants must apply on their own behalf, and cannot be enrolled by another person.
• Call Blocking Features: Participants and Alternates must not have call blocking features engaged that would prevent automated or live calls from being received.
• Notifications: Participants must notify Alternates and household members of their participation in the Program, and inform them of the Terms and Conditions.
• Accurate Information: Participants must provide accurate information and update the Program promptly if there are any changes. Participants understand that changes may take three business days to take effect.
• Consent to Distribution of Information: Participant consents to the Program sharing such Participant’s information for the purpose of providing the Program’s service. Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Program, an Alternate, any Program contractor, grantee, or other agent , nonemergency services, or any other party deemed reasonable by the Program in order to provide the Program’s service, may receive information provided by Participant to the Program.
• Consent to Recording: Participant understands that live calls to and with Program representatives may be recorded, and Participant consents to such recording.

Limited Responsibility Statement

• The Program’s only responsibility is to make calls or texts as described above.
• The Program is not a substitute for live operator assistance, 911, a duress signal, panic switch, or medical or life alert system.
• The Program does not guarantee that any emergency service or law enforcement agency will check on a Participant or that any welfare check will be made.
• Participant understands and acknowledges that: (a) the Program is not responsible for the actions or availability of the Alternate; (b) the Alternate is not an agent or other representative of the Program; and (c) no Program representatives will ever conduct site visits, even during an emergency.
• The Program is not responsible if someone other than the Participant responds to a prompt or answers a phone call.
• The Program is not an insurer and provides no guarantees against loss or injury.
• The Program is not responsible for false alarms or related fines, or any liability related to police response(s) including, but not limited to, personal injury, property damage, or the refusal of the police to respond.
• The Program is not responsible for device, provider service, or power outages that result in the loss of phone service.
• Participant acknowledges that the Program is authorized to engage with third parties (through contract, grant, or otherwise) to provide any services provided by the Program, and the Program is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury caused by such third parties.

Providing Community-Based Supports and Services for Older Adults

In Maryland's twenty-three counties and Baltimore City, each local governing body designates an Area Agency on Aging or AAA to provide a variety of adult services, incorporating assisted living, protective services, and temporary disability programs, as well as health, wellness, and other programs that support community living. 

For more information about the roles and responsibilities of AAAs, visit the Administration for Community Living's Area Agencies on Aging webpage. For information about the programs and services your local AAA provides, reach out to the AAA in your jurisdiction.

About the Maryland Commission on Aging 

Operated under statutory authority (Human Services §10–208), the Maryland Commission on Aging evaluates statewide programs and provides strategic recommendations to the Secretary of Aging regarding the future of services for older Marylanders. To ensure the Commission remains both representative and effective, it consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor, including one non-voting member from each chamber of the Maryland General Assembly and 11 public members selected for their dedicated interest in the needs of older adults. These members are chosen from across the state to reflect Maryland's geographic diversity, and the statute mandates that at least seven members must be age 55 or older to ensure that "lived experience" remains at the heart of their advocacy.

Click here to learn more about the Commission members.

Meeting Information

​The Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting date is the second Wednesday of every other month from 10:00am-12:00pm. The Commission does not meet in July or August.

Next Meeting: 

• Date: April 15, 2026
• Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm (EDT)
• Registration: Register here​

MDOA Contact

Please reach out to Lisa O'Connor for more information on the Commission: [email protected]

Past Meeting Minutes

• June 2025
• April 2025
• November 2024
• September 2024
• June 2024
• April 2024
• October 2023
• September 2023
• June 2023
• April 2023
• Archived Minutes

Rose Maria Li, Chair

Rose is President and CEO of Rose Li and Associates (RLA), a science management and research administration firm dedicated to moving science forward in service of humanity. She is Principal Investigator of a grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to serve as the Coordinating Center for the NIA Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories (AITC) for Aging Research, and also holds a visiting researcher appointment at Georgetown University’s Center for Population and Health. Prior to this, Rose held leadership positions at the National Institutes of Health, including Special Assistant for Policy Development with the Office of Communications and Public Liaison; Chief, Population and Social Processes Branch in the Behavioral and Social Research Division of the NIA; Senior Policy Advisor to the Office of Extramural Research; and as a program official with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dr. Li earned her BA and MBA from​​ the University of Chicago, PhD in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University, and conducted postdoctoral research on aging in Asia at the University of Michigan. She has chaired the Maryland Commission on Aging since 2016, and also served on the Maryland State Board of Education from November 2016 through June 2021; both Governor-appointed positions. She is past president of the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni, co-chair of the Asian American Alumni Association of Princeton-DC Region, and President of the Li Educational Foundation, a family foundation that seeks to promote, advance, and develop Chinese history, culture, and education.

Mae Beale

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Paula Blackwell

Paula Blackwell, MBA, MHA has more than 20 years of experience developing and leading health and human service programs throughout the region.  She is the Executive Director of the Central Maryland Health Education Center.  She is also a principal consultant at Elevated Channels providing project management oversight and program development for non-profits throughout the mid-Atlantic.   Prior to her position at Central Maryland AHEC, Ms. Blackwell held several positions with Foreign-Born Information and Referral Network (FIRN) including Program Director for Health Education and Promotion.  She has also held positions at Bon Secours Health System and the African American Health Alert.   Ms. Blackwell is the founder and president-emeritus of her family’s foundation, Another Opportunity, Inc., which coaches and mentors young African American men and each year pays tuition for at least two community college students who are otherwise unable to secure financial aid.   She is VP of the board of Just Living Advocacy.  In addition she hand serves on the University of Maryland Baltimore Master of Public Health Advisory Committee and the Johns Hopkins University Center to Reduce Cancer Disparities Advisory Committee.  She is the proud mother of three children and spends time away from professional commitments enjoying activities with her children and grandchildren. ​

John G. Haaga

John Haaga retired at the end of 2019 from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, where he had been Director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Research. This division funds research on aging and health, including health disparities at older ages and long-term supports and services for the disabled elderly. He had previously served as Director of Domestic Programs at the Population Reference Bureau, a nonprofit research and education organization, and staff director for the Committee on Population of the National Academy of Sciences. In previous jobs he worked on maternal and child health programs and substance abuse policy in the US, Bangladesh, Malaysia and several African countries, for the RAND Corporation and the Population Council. His degrees were awarded by Oxford University, the Johns Hopkins University, and the RAND Graduate School. He has taught at the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland and Georgetown University, and lectured in the OASIS Lifelong Adventure program. John and his wife Elin raised three children in Montgomery County, and now divide their time between homes in Washington and Montgomery counties, and grandchild care in Baltimore.​
No photo. Place holder. Shows a picture of the Maryland state flag.

Rosanne Buckley Hanratty

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Delegate Terri L. Hill, M.D.

A distinguished surgeon and community leader, Dr. Terri L. Hill was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Columbia, Maryland. She earned her A.B. in bioelectric engineering from Harvard University and her M.D. from Columbia University, later completing a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at the University of Miami. Since 1991, she has maintained a successful solo medical practice and serves as the Medical Director of Visage Rejuvenation Spa. Her clinical expertise is matched by her global humanitarian work as a mission surgeon for Operation Smile, providing reconstructive surgery to children in Venezuela and China. Beyond her medical career, Dr. Hill is a dedicated public servant and advocate. A founding member of the National Congress of Black Women (Howard County) and the Thurgood Marshall Democratic Club, she has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame and "Legislator of the Year" awards from MedChi and the Maryland Association of Eye Physicians. An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and St. Bernadine Roman Catholic Church, she continues to blend her professional background in healthcare with a deep commitment to community leadership and legislative advocacy.

Senator Benjamin F. Kramer

Senator Benjamin F. Kramer has dedicated nearly two decades to serving Montgomery County in the Maryland General Assembly. After twelve years in the House of Delegates focusing on economic matters and consumer protection, he was elected to the Maryland Senate in 2018. A Wheaton native and University of Maryland alumnus, Senator Kramer brings his experience as a small business owner to his current roles as Deputy Majority Whip and a key member of the Senate Finance Committee, where he also chairs the Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight. Throughout his career, Senator Kramer has been a steadfast advocate for public safety and vulnerable populations, earning "Legislator of the Year" honors from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. His commitment to community welfare is further reflected in his service on the Maryland Commission on Aging since 2019 and his active involvement in the Maryland Veterans, Latino, and Jewish Caucuses. Whether addressing energy transition or cannabis public health, Senator Kramer remains a prominent voice for fiscal responsibility and social advocacy in Maryland.

Barry Liden, JD

Barry Liden is Director of Public Policy for the University of Southern California (USC) Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, helping measurably improve value in health through evidence-based policy solutions, research excellence, and private and public-sector engagement. Before joining USC in 2022, Liden served as a medical device industry executive at Edwards Lifesciences for almost two decades.  His career there culminated as Vice President of Patient Engagement where he created a new function to engage with, learn from and empower patients to improve the healthcare experience. Liden joined Edwards in 2002 as Director of Global Communications, and served in several public affairs positions, including Vice President of Government Affairs. Liden is also Founder and Managing Advisor of Patient Voice Advisors, a resource hub for organizations seeking to empower patients’ perspectives throughout all phases of health technology innovation. For more than three decades, Liden has integrated public policy, government relations, public relations and crisis management practices to provide strategic solutions to unique challenges.  His passion is to bring novel approaches that can improve the lives of everyone in this global community. He currently serves as a Member of the Maryland Commission on Aging, serves as chair-emeritus in the Medical Device Innovation Consortium’s patient-focused working groups, and serves on the Health Technology Assessment International’s (HTAi) Patient and Community Involvement Working Group Steering Committee. Liden has a bachelor of science in public administration from the University of Southern California, and a juris doctor from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles.  He lives in Garrett Park, Maryland.

Darlene Palmer

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George W. Rebok

George has a BA in Psychology from Muhlenberg College and MA and PhD in Life-Span Developmental Psychology with a specialization in Gerontology from Syracuse University. George did his post-doctoral training in the Dementias of Aging at Johns Hopkins University. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and holds joint faculty appointments in the Center on Aging and Health, and the Center on Innovative Care in Aging. George has over 35 years of experience in life-course developmental research and cognitive aging. His research has included studies on cognitive training interventions with the elderly, and the effects of aging and dementia on driving and other everyday life tasks. George has served as the Principal Investigator for two large intervention trials funded by the National Institute on Aging – the ACTIVE trial and the Baltimore Experience Corps® trial. He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, American Psychological Association, and Association for Psychological Science.

David Roth

David Roth is a Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  Since 2012, he has served as the Director of the interdisciplinary Center on Aging and Health at Johns Hopkins University.  He has over 30 years of experience as a researcher on aging and the psychosocial determinants of health for older adults.  He is an accomplished scholar and a co-author on over 200 published, data-based research papers.  He has specific interests in the psychological and social effects of chronic health problems for older adults and for their family caregivers.  Some of his most recent work is focused on identifying from national epidemiological studies the health benefits of volunteering and from serving as a family caregiver.  Prior to joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins, he received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of North Dakota, a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Kansas, and served as a Professor of Biostatistics in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Allen Tien, MD, MHS 

Allen Tien is President and Chief Science Officer of Medical Decision Logic, Inc. (“mdlogix”).  Allen has spent his entire career dedicated to advancing healthcare and prevention. As well as being a Board-Certified psychiatrist, Allen is knowledgeable about epidemiology, biostatistics, social network science, computational semantics, and software architecture. As faculty in the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health Department of Mental Hygiene and School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry from 1988 to 1997, his research spanned public mental health epidemiology, services, and prevention, and clinical neuroscience, and he initiated and taught a key course on multi-level life-course etiologic models of mental disorders. In 1997, Allen founded mdlogix to develop organized software tools that bring science and practice together to provide policy makers, scientists, managers, clinicians, and patients with the information technologies, tools, practices, and knowledge they need to improve health outcomes. He has provided vision for and overseen establishment of a systematic user-centered software innovation process that effectively, efficiently, and reliably solves problems for people in different roles in diverse healthcare, education, employment settings, and associated government agencies. Allen is successful in translating science into practice, contributing significantly to developments in the field of health sciences informatics, including innovations in clinical research, team workflow automation, and behavioral health screening and integration. He has received over 30 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and other grants and contracts from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with several currently underway, and continues to partner with academic colleagues in their research funding, programs, and resultant peer-review publications. Allen is an author of 50 publications in the fields of clinical psychiatry, public mental health, and health sciences informatics. He earned his medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine and his Masters in Health Science from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He lives in Towson, Maryland with his wife and three sons.​

Diane Ty

Diane Ty is a director at the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging and leads its Alliance to Improve Dementia Care. She is a senior advisor at Georgetown University’s Business for Impact at the McDonough School of Business. For Georgetown University, she has led multiple consulting engagements in health and financial security and architected the Center’s AgingWell Hub and Portion Balance Coalition, both multisector collaboratives addressing the needs of older adults and the obesity epidemic, respectively. Ty has led marketing and business development programs for Service Year Alliance, Generations United, and the Silicon Valley startup Super. She was senior​ vice president of strategic market development at AARP, leading the organization’s under-50/Millennial strategy, recognized with a gold-level International Design Excellence Award in the design strategy category. Ty also led the development of AARP’s Social Security and retirement calculators. As vice president of strategic alliances at AARP Services, she designed and negotiated cross-organizational corporate partnerships. As managing director of US Programs, Ty led Save the Children’s Millennial-focused work and spearheaded the Effie-winner and Emmy-nominated Ad Council campaign “Do Good: Mentor A Child.” Before her nonprofit work, Ty was a vice president at American Express Company, where she held several marketing positions over her 10-plus-year tenure. Ty earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and, as a Lauder Institute fellow, received a joint MBA/MA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and School of Arts and Sciences. Ty’s volunteer roles include serving on Capital Caring Health and Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s boards and serving on the Maryland State Commission on Aging, an appointment by Governor Larry Hogan.

Daily Check-In Service for Older Adults

Senior Call Check and Social Connections provides an additional layer of comfort for older adults who live alone and their families. Automated calls or text messages are sent each day between 8am and 4pm, at the hour of the participant's choosing, and the participant is prompted to respond. If there is no response, two more automated calls or texts are made, before an alternate contact is notified. If Senior Call Check is unable to reach an alternate, non-emergency service providers are contacted and asked to conduct a welfare check.

The service is free to Maryland residents 60 and older.​ For additional information about the program review the Senior Call Check and Social Connections Terms and Conditions.

New Option: Senior Call Check Live

The program now offers weekly live check-ins as an additional service to the daily automated check-ins. Calls from a live, trained representative can provide additional support and social connection for those who need it. 

Supporting the Vital Work of Maryland's Senior Centers

As the hub for most nutrition, social, and health promotion activities, Senior Centers are an important resource for Maryland's older adult community. Every year, the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) allocates more than $750,000 in state funds to support innovative programs and operating needs for Senior Centers across the state. Each county receives funding based on the number of Marylanders aged 60 and older who live there, while a portion of the funding ($100,000) is allocated on a competitive basis. All counties are eligible to apply. ​

​Resources for Senior Centers

• Contact your Area Agency on Aging for information about starting a senior center in your community.
• Learn more about senior centers nationally through NCOA's National Institute of Senior Centers.

Helping Older Marylanders Remain Independent

Supporting Older Adults with Resources (SOAR) supports healthy aging, caregiving, housing stability, and social connections. Research has shown that care coordination reduces emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and premature nursing home placement—some of the most expensive outcomes for public systems to absorb. By helping older adults remain healthy, independent, and engaged, communities lower health care and long-term care costs while strengthening local economies and reducing strain on families and public resources.

In 2026, three existing state-funded programs administered by Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) were consolidated into SOAR as a deliberate, intentional action to modernize important longstanding supports in order to address the evolving needs of a growing older adult population.  

If you feel you may qualify for SOAR, connect with MAP or your local Area Agency on Aging.

Services Provided

SOAR creates equitable access to the following light-touch, long-term services and supports by standardizing eligibility, utilizing evidence-based tools to assess risk, and providing person-centered resources that maximize independence.

• Case management
• Home and community-based supports that may include personal care, homemaker/chore services, meals, transportation, safety related minor home repairs/modifications, adult day care, medical supplies, emergency response systems, and respite care
• Partial financial support for assisted living monthly fees

These services are supported by state grant funding and are subject to annual funding availability.

Who Qualifies for SOAR?

• Marylanders age 62+ who make less than 60% of the median state income, have assets below eligibility thresholds, and need help with activities of daily living.
• People who don’t qualify for Medicaid or are on lengthy waitlists to access Medicaid funded services. 

Program Benefits

• Expands capacity and reduces administrative burden for all parties by standardizing processes, access to services, age, and eligibility requirements across all counties and living arrangements.
• Improves cross-agency coordination by leveraging evidence-based tools and enhanced digital infrastructure to facilitate transitions across the continuum of care between home- and community-based services.
• Provides support for older Marylanders who don't qualify for Medicaid, or are waiting for an invitation to apply for a Medicaid waiver, but can't afford private care.
• Delays or prevents Medicaid entry and decreases reliance on costlier institutional care and more restrictive community-based services.
• Addresses upstream drivers of health, creating more equitable access to preventive services and improving health outcomes for more older adults.
• Removes geographical barriers by offering residents in counties without congregate or assisted living facilities the same supports and services as residents in urban centers.

SOAR provides an opportunity for MDoA to take a step back and establish how SOAR and other programs more broadly fit within an LTSS continuum of care. MDoA has already done a tremendous amount of work to plan and develop SOAR through efforts such as LRM and its partnerships with the AAAs, MDH, DHS, and other State and local partners.

~HCBS Strategies: SOAR Program Recommendations Report

​Empowering Communities to Meet the Needs of their Older Community Members

The Supportive Communities program ​​helps build age-friendly communities where older adults can thrive by helping local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community members meet the needs of older adults. The role of the Maryland Department of Aging is to:

• Advocate for policy changes that support older adults
• Allocate resources to help meet the transportation, housing, social activity, and other needs of older adults
• Engage communities on the needs, planning, and impact of age-friendly initiatives

Find a Village

Did you know that Maryland has dozens of villages around the state that help older adults age in place with community supports? 

Learn More