Baltimore County, MD Time of Your LIfe, 3 Jul 2023

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From YouTube: Learn More About BCAUSE, Baltimore County Age-Friendly Upgrades for Seniors.

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Michelle Mills, Deputy Director,
Baltimore County Department of Aging

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Good, one time to the side.

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Since participating in enhanced fitness,.

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It has kept me motivated, my mind, thinking and energized.

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The goal of the baltimore county department of aging is to keep.

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Older adults living longer and living well in the community.

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We envision, if we're successful, in keeping people living longer, living well,.

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They will be getting vaccinated., they will be participating in our health and wellness programs in our senior.

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Centers, as well as participating in evidence-based programs.

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And lift up. evidence-based programs are something that's kinda entered the force about.

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Ten years, ago, and they've been proven to promote health and disease prevention.

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They have proven strategies for managing chronic conditions, building strength,.

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And preventing falls. so we're confident that these programs have a positive effect because of the rigorous testing that they've gone. Through.

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they've also been approved by the cdc as being proven outcomes.

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That will help people in their overall conditions.

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We know that individuals who take this class for the most part,.

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Will have those same results because older adults have already gone through this.

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Many times and seen the positive outcomes.

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For me,, the benefits have been overall,, it's been physical, mental,, spiritual.

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White encouraged me to register for the evidence-based programs.

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With the baltimore county department of aging is that I'm involved.

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With the dementia friendly baltimore county, initiative.

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So I know that the programs are of very high quality.

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We want individuals to take these classes because they're built upon.

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The premise of anyone can take control of their conditions, lowering risk of falls,.

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Managing chronic conditions, engaging in physical activity.

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What really impressed me and what I think would help others is the action plan.

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This is a balanced step., so the baltimore county department of aging currently offers 18 evidence-based.

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Programs, and we're constantly looking for new ones., some of the most popular ones and the ones that we're promoting right now are bingo, size,, believe it or not,.

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You can play bingo while also exercising and learning about health.

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We have stepping on,, which reduces falls through a variety of topics.

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Guest speakers, learning how to better manage your movements,, then move with.

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Balance, enhances your brain. Function, improves your physical, well being.

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On the move is one that people love, and it improves your walking patterns,.

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The timing of how you walk, the coordination of your steps.

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So we've been walking all of our lives,, but sometimes our gait changes a little bit as we get older.

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And so we have individuals who are professionals in learning how to make.

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The best of your walking movements.

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bcda also has fit & strong!,. We help to manage arthritis through that class,. We build strength.

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Tai chi has proven to be extremely valuable for better balance.

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So it's a slow paced, environment,, you're learning the actual movements of tai chi.

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Enhanced fitness is one that you really have to make a firm commitment to.

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Because they meet three times a week., but it's all about strength and balance and we've seen wonderful results of that class..

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But we also have activities for individuals who may not be able to do as much.

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and there's one called jerry fit where you're. Actually in a chair and.

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It's based improving your activities of daily living.

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So a little bit of something for everyone at all: functional levels.

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The facilitators have encouraged each.

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Participant to share their circumstances and.

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To have,, as I say, action, plans.

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So here's a concern and then how can we address.

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That, through implementing the action plans?.

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What encouraged me to register for the class,.

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The fitness part and camaraderie and friendship.

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You can also go to our website at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/opalcenter,.

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And you'll find a listing of all of our evidence-based programs as.

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Well, as all of our virtual activities that are available.

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Taking the classes online was for me a benefit because I didn't have to get in the car,. I didn't have to drive.

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So I was able to set up my computer in my living. Room, have the space and.

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Also dedicate the time to me.

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I definitely would suggest, encourage family,.

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Friends, people I know to participate in.

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The department of aging programs, because I,.

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As well as others, have seen real results.

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Welcome back to the time of your life, I'm your host, ethel rasmussen.,.

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As the saying go,, there is nothing better than the comfort of your own home.

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Today, we're gonna learn about a program offered by the department of aging and.

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Its community partners to keep individuals in their home with the department.

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Of aging's deputy director, michelle mills.

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michelle, welcome to the show.

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Thanks ethel,, I really appreciate you having me on today..

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Thank you so much. michelle,. Can you inform our viewing audience on what the bcause or.

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Baltimore county age, friendly upgrades for seniors program, is?.

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Sure,, so the bcause program offers eligible homeowners in baltimore county.

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Home safety, repairs and modifications so that they can age in place in their own home, in their own community.

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Why is this such an important program for homeowners across the county?.

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And how is it possible to provide these necessary upgrades?.

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So that is a great question. so,, according to the national aging in place, council, over 90% of seniors say.

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That they would prefer to age in place instead of moving into senior housing.

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But there can be a significant gap between that desire and.

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Their ability to maintain and modify their homes.

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There's about 119,000 senior households in baltimore, county,.

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And a significant percentage of them are currently living in unaffordable, housing,.

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Making it pretty unlikely that they can maintain their homes and.

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Install the safety modifications for them to age in place.

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25% of senior homeowners and 58% of senior renters pay more than 30% of their income in housing. Expenses.

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That's pretty significant. and then 12% of baltimore county seniors have incomes at or.

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Below 150% of the poverty rate., so low income, baltimore county seniors can often be more isolated and.

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Less connected to services because they live in baltimore county.

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So we really wanna help to identify these folks and help them access these services.

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So they can get the housing, modifications and home repairs that they need.

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Because again,, I think it really is everyone's goal that they just wanna stay.

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In their home, in their community, as long as possible.

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And the bcause program is funded,, we're very fortunate,.

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Through funding with the harry and jeanette weinberg foundation,.

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As well as additional funding from leonard and helen r, stolman.

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Both are charitable foundations and really believe in this program and.

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Have funded us so we can offer this to our older adults in baltimore, county.

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Bcause aims to help mature adults stay in their homes, as they age,.

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Can you explain how simple it is to qualify?.

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Sure,, it's very simple. so to qualify for the bcause program,. All a person needs to do is be.

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A baltimore county, resident, homeowner, who is 65 years or older,.

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And whose household income is at or below, 50% of median income.

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So for one person, that would be $3,550 a month,.

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That's the current income for one person.

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And then obviously,, if it's two people, it's different., but that's just to give you a baseline of what it would look like for.

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Monthly income. and it's for the household,. I really do wanna emphasize., so it's everyone living in the household gets counted into this.

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Income eligibility criteria.

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So, michelle,, our viewers may be wondering about the many services covered.

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By bcause,, can you please specify?.

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Sure, so through bcause,, the baltimore county of department of aging will.

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Work with eligible individuals who have care managers, case, managers, and or.

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Are occupational therapists to screen homes for things like fall, risks,, hazards.

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Determine what repairs or improvements are needed, and if a participant does not have.

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A case manager,, either through department of aging, department of social services,.

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Or through our health department,, we will connect them with one of our community.

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Outreach specialists for home screening,, as well as general, needs assessment.

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And we also look for wraparound services such as snap, home, delivered meals,.

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Tax credits,, medical assistance,, home and community based services, waiver.

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So you also get that full assessment as well.

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the home repairs that are covered by bcause include, but.

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Are not limited to, roof, repairs,, plumbing,, electrical,.

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Hvac systems, safety modifications such as installation of grab bars,.

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Handrails, and other assistive devices.

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So for those who would be concerned with the quality of work,.

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Can you please share how technicians are selected and what precautions are in place to protect them??

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So all of our home repairs are completed by one of our bcause partners.

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And that is civic, works,, chai,, dundalk, renaissance corporation,.

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Or rebuilding together baltimore.

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and they are approved contractors, and we have vetted them through our system and.

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Make sure that they meet all of the eligibility that we.

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Need as a contractor for baltimore county.

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and all of our contractors are required to provide their mhic license. Number,.

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A w9, and a certificate of insurance, general liability, insurance,.

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Auto insurance, and references from previous projects.

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So we just feel very confident that our partners are very vetted and.

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Very eligible and very professional in the services they provide.

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It's very easy to access services provided by bcause,.

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What is the process to get started and what can applicants expect?.

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Very easy,, first step,: please call our maryland access point call center at.

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410-887-2594, and one of our map specialists, who's, a certified.

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Information and referral specialist, will walk you through the steps.

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They'll ask you about your income, about how many people live in the household.

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They'll just go through some of the eligibility criteria and.

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Then they will refer you on to the next steps of the program., where you will be contacted by one of our folks through bcause or our occupational.

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Therapist or one of the case, managers through community outreach, specialists.

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So that's very easy,. It's a simple phone call,, give us a call and we'll get you started.

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Michelle,. Thank you so much for sharing about this wonderful program,.

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We appreciate having you on the show.

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Thanks ethel,, we really appreciate our opportunity to talk about our bcause program.

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We're really thrilled that we are able to offer this to our seniors in.

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Baltimore county.

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That's today's show,. Thank you for spending your time with us.

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Please remember,: you can call the department of aging's information line.

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Called maryland access point of baltimore, county or map at 410-887-2594.

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With questions pertaining to older adults and persons with disabilities.

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This show may also be viewed at any time on the internet at.

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Www.Baltimorecountymd.Gov/Videos with open captioning.

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That brings us to the conclusion of this edition of the time of your life,.

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A national mature media award winner about the services and.

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Contemporary topics that keep you in the know.

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until next time.