02-19-2025 PTL - Flipbook - Page 20
20 A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Glen Meadows, continued from page 16
ment will assist in making them happen. The
Resident Dining Committee, for instance, will
meet with the team to discuss meal suggestions, in line with its commitment to providing
the most enjoyable dining experience possible. As a resident, you may select Dining
Dollars, the flexible meal plan that you spend
down each month, using it at any of the dining
locations: the Bell Tower Café, the Private Tea
Room and the Notch Cliff Dining Room, where
reservations are recommended. Or you can
cook in your full-service kitchen, complete with
dishwasher, microwave, stove and refrigerator/
freezer.
“The country setting and beautifully landscaped gardens are only a
few of the reasons why I love living
here. The abundance of activities
and outings offered have made it
easy to make new friends.”
– Mary R., resident
Residents enjoy a vibrant lifestyle, from
staying active at the Wellness and Fitness
Centers to gathering for social occasions like
happy hour. They also engage with the broader
community by volunteering at various venues
beyond our campus.
In a special expression of the caring community, many residents choose to support their
neighbors in Skilled Nursing Care or Assisted
Living. They bring warmth and connection
through simple acts of kindness – helping with
mail delivery, sharing the gift of reading aloud
or simply offering companionship.
“Glen Meadows’ array of services allows
you to choose whatever you need at a given
time. We offer a full spectrum of care so that
no matter what stage of life someone is in,
they can find a supportive community here,”
Delaney explains. “Our goal is to meet people
where they are and help them live life to the
fullest.”
Jennifer Thompson, whose mother lives
at Glen Meadows, described the organization as a lifeline. “We were worried about how
she would adjust to leaving her home, but
she’s happier now than she’s been in years,”
Thompson says. “The staff treat her with so
much kindness and respect, and she’s made a
lot of new friends.”
Care At All Stages
Those living at Glen Meadows start their
new lives in maintenance-free apartments or
patio homes with a variety of amenities: librar-
Ombudsman, continued from page 15
ies, and on-site dining, as well as access
to community activities, a full calendar and
social events. There’s a beauty and barber
shop, lifelong learning through local colleges
and universities, gardening, hiking and fishing.
And Glen Meadows is only 10 minutes from
Baltimore and close to Washington, D.C.
For seniors who need some help with
daily activities such as dressing, bathing or
medication management, residents can stay in
the Assisted Living Neighborhood. It provides
assisted living services in a supportive environment. The goal is to focus on maintaining
independence while offering the assistance
they need.
You can also receive skilled nursing/rehabilitation services for those with complex
medical needs, offering round-the-clock care.
Short-term rehabilitation services, such as
physical and occupational therapy, are also
available for seniors recovering from surgery
or illness.
And for individuals living with Alzheimer’s
disease or other forms of dementia, there
are memory support programs that provide
specialized care in secure, structured environments designed to promote safety and
well-being.
“When the time comes,” Devaney says,
“we have hospice that comes to us, to our
community. You stay in your home throughout.
Should you need it, we have respite care for
people both inside and outside Glen Meadows.
Visit Soon
Glen Meadows’ website provides complete
transparency on pricing that lets you know if it’s
in your range. Yes, you’ll still have questions,
but we’ve all become informed consumers
and shop online for almost anything. Deciding
on a forever home has changed from children
helping mom and dad to make an informed
decision to “I saw this on the website.”
Residents must be at least 60 and dogs,
cats and birds are welcomed in Independent
Living, but only two per household.
Extensive services are included in monthly
fees, such as utilities, maintenance, scheduled
transportation (shopping and planned outings),
linen services, weekly housekeeping, weight
and blood pressure checks, and wellness education programs.
You’ll find a warm welcome at Glen
Meadows, one that will make you wonder
why you didn’t decide to move there long ago.
They’ll be delighted you’re there.
LTCOP. Ombudsmen often work with legal aid
organizations, Adult Protective Services (APS),
and other state and local agencies to address
complex issues. For instance, in cases of suspected abuse or neglect, ombudsmen may
connect residents with mandatory reporters
or adult protective services, always respecting the resident’s confidentiality and consent.
Real-life examples illustrate the critical
work of ombudsmen. In one case, a nursing
home resident who was a double amputee
faced challenges in accessing medical and
dental care due to a lack of transportation.
The ombudsman intervened, coordinating
with facility staff, social workers and external resources to develop a comprehensive
care plan. This included arranging transportation, addressing dietary needs, and ensuring the resident’s concerns were heard and
addressed.
In another instance, a resident facing
involuntary discharge due to smoking in their
room was supported by an ombudsman.
Through collaboration with legal aid, facility
staff and a judge, a resolution was reached
that ensured the resident’s rights were upheld
while addressing safety concerns.
Challenges and Limitations
The role of ombudsman is strictly advocacy-based, meaning they rely on collaboration with other agencies to resolve problems.
Additionally, residents’ fear of retaliation can
hinder ombudsmen’s ability to take action,
underscoring the importance of building trust
and maintaining confidentiality.
The Importance of Public Awareness
Despite their critical role, many people are
unaware of the LTCOP and the services it provides. Increasing public awareness is essential to ensuring that residents and their families
know where to turn for help. Resources like
the National Ombudsman Resource Center
(NORC) and state-level offices play a vital role
in educating the public and providing accessible information.
As the aging population continues to grow,
the LTCOP’s role will become even more
crucial. The program’s focus on advocacy,
education and systemic reform positions it as
a key player in improving the quality of life for
older adults in long-term care. By continuing
to train dedicated volunteers, collaborate with
other agencies and raise public awareness,
the LTCOP can ensure that residents receive
the care and respect they deserve.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Program embodies the values of dignity,
respect and advocacy. Through their tireless efforts, ombudsmen empower residents, resolve complaints and drive systemic
change, making a profound impact on the
lives of older adults. The Maryland LongTerm Care Ombudsman Program, in particular, stands out for its comprehensive approach
and dedication to personalized advocacy. As
we move forward, supporting and expanding
programs like the LTCOP will be essential to
meeting the needs of an aging population and
ensuring that every individual can live with
dignity and independence.
Dementia, continued from page 4
ing older, many are experiencing longer,
healthier life expectancies, living closer
to or beyond 100 years of age. The
Census projects older Marylanders will
outnumber children for the first time in
history by 2034.
Under the aegis of the Maryland
Department of Aging are the Area
Agencies on Aging (AAA). There are local
offices in 19 counties and Baltimore City,
that provide a variety of adult services,
incorporating assisted living, protective
services, and temporary disability programs.
“We want each AAA to have the
screening tool,” says Tesoro, “and provide a print-out that the person assessed
can take to their doctor to start the conversation. ‘I’m having trouble with certain
tasks,’ or ‘trouble making appointments.’
Once diagnosed, they can come back
to their AAA for help with the community services they need, plus, if required,
caregiver resources and supports. We
are working on a caregiver checklist now,
so caregivers have a better sense of their
needs and what’s available. That will help
us tailor a response based on what their
needs might be.
“The Maryland Department of Aging
is small, but we have a broad range of
services to support our aging population
and their families. All of us care about
our constituency and want the best for
them. This is just one more way we’re
here to help.”
