Primetime Living 9.27.26 - Flipbook - Page 18
18
| Sunday, September 27, 2026
’26
Congratulations!
TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS
AND HONORBLE MENTIONS
We Make Independent
Living Easier...for You!
What you need...When you need it
• Boosting Recliners
Rentals
Available
• Scooters
• Incontinence Products
• Durable Medical Equipment
(Walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, etc.)
• Orthopedic Products (braces, etc.)
Delivery
Price-Match Promise
• Compression Stockings (Jobst)
• CPAP Supplies
• Bathroom & Travel Safety Products
Gift Certificates Available
We ship anywhere
• Exercise & Rehab Equipment
Making Independent Living Easier...since 1997
718 Main Street • Reisterstown (Next to Mr. Tire)
410-363-2279 • MedicalSupplySale.com
Hours: M-F 9:00-6:00 Sat. 10:00-4:00
FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
For additional information on the
strategic framework, the report, and
initial feedback, visit https://acl.gov/
ICC-Aging. And for more information on
Longevity Ready Maryland’s plan, visit
https://LRM.maryland.gov/.
“Addressing the growing need for
practical support for family caregivers
is a top priority of LRM,” Tesoro says.
“This checklist, this planner, incorporates all the various agencies and organizations that contribute to caring for
people with dementia and supporting
their families by providing access that
is easy to tap into. High-quality services
and support bridge the gap between
the caregivers and the providers they
need, making connections easier. It’s
hard to grasp how unbelievably taxed
caregivers are, how much they struggle
juggling their varying roles, especially if
they are part of the sandwich generation, coping with both parents and children. We are trying to ease their burden
as much as possible.
“The Checklist is fully integrated with
the extensive 211 Community Resource
Database, (dial 211 for access) and the
report links directly to Maryland Access
Point resources, ensuring caregivers
are connected with location-specific
supports based on their unique circumstances and preferences. It brings you
right into your neighborhood by identifying what you need based on where
you live. It’s a self-serve opportunity
so it streamlines the process of finding
resources.
“Even though you have the checklist,’
Tesoro points out, “should you run into
a situation that isn’t covered, or is more
complex due to your particular circumstances, you can still connect with
your local MAP counselor for additional
assistance.”
“Another benefit of the checklist is
that it acts as form of triage,” says
Samus. “Everything is color-coded: red,
yellow and green. As you go through
the different elements, you learn what is
urgent (red), what needs work (yellow),
and what is covered, controlled, and/
or completed (green). That way, you’ve
developed your own priority list and
understand in what order you should
address the tasks. In other words, you
have a (dementia) case plan. As circumstances change, you can revisit your
plan to address new conditions. There
are a lot of people who have non-diagnosed memory issues. The checklist
helps them, too.”
When someone in your family develops cognitive impairment or dementia
in any of its forms, there is a sense
of helplessness. As with any situation
that is completely new to you, you
have to start somewhere. The Maryland
Department of Aging website is an
excellent first step: https://aging.maryland.gov/
Under “Programs and Services” you’ll
see “Brain Health.” Take time to browse
the whole page as it is filled with valuable information for older adults. There’s
a link for the AD8 Cognitive Screening
tool that offers a quick assessment of
your brain health, with just eight questions. If you want to compare signs of
normal aging to potential signs of mild
dementia, it’s the place to start. You’ll
also find a link to the Johns Hopkins
Memory Care Family Checklist, as well
as other services and support for brain
and mental health.
While you are there, browse the site to
learn what other services are available
for you. One huge benefit not enough
people know about is the availability of
free durable medical equipment; there
are over a dozen locations throughout
the State of Maryland where you can
pick up free equipment.
As with any new subject, there are
always questions we don’t even know
we should be asking. It just takes time
until we become better educated and
informed.
In addition to the MDOA website
(under Brain Health), you can also
access the Johns Hopkins Memory
Care Family Checklist at https://marylandaccesspoint.211md.org/memorycare/. It will educate you on what to do
and in what order; at the same time, it
will teach you about many options. Be
patient: there is a lot of support available, and you are definitely not alone.
