From Harford County government:
Under the Older Americans Act and through the State of Maryland, the Harford County Department of Community Services Office on Aging is responsible for planning, coordinating and funding a comprehensive network of services for senior adults.
Every four years, the Office on Aging develops a plan for programs and services for older adults in Harford County. This plan is submitted to the Maryland Department of Aging and updated each year; this year the Comprehensive Four Year Plan is being prepared. The Office on Aging is utilizing a new technology, SPIGIT, to obtain citizen’s input about the goals listed within the plan. SPIGIT can also be used to share ideas about other issues and concerns for seniors in our community.
Within the plan, the Office on Aging will focus on five key areas:
– Implementing the Maryland Access Point (information and referral network) to broaden access to services to senior adults and those with disabilities.
– Building a collaborative Network of innovative programming to promote the health and well-being of seniors and vulnerable adults through collaboration, awareness and education.
– Increasing the overall usage of web-based applications and credit card availability to improve efficiency and quality of care.
– Expanding and refining health promotion and wellness programming in senior centers.
– Coordinating with community partners to improve the overall quality of life for seniors, their families and caregivers.
Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments and feedback online at http://ooa2012areaplan.harfordcountymd.spigit.com/Page/Home. This public comment period will close at 5:00 p.m. on September 16, 2011.
The Office on Aging is committed to promoting the best quality of life for older Harford County residents, and enabling them to continue to live independently in the community. The senior adult population continues to grow; there are now over 44,000 people age 60 or older living in Harford County. By 2040, the county is expected to have over 74,000 people over the age of 60. Harford County has six senior activity centers, a vital resource in the community serving over 4,700 people annually.
In the upcoming months, The Office on Aging in partnership with The Harford County Health Department, the Department of Social Services and Office on Mental Health will launch Maryland Access Point. Maryland Access Point is a single point of entry approach to help senior adults and people with disabilities gain information, resources and referral information. This is an exciting opportunity to expand the depth of services for the citizens of Harford County.
The Department of Community Services Office on Aging envisions Harford County as a place where senior adults can access a comprehensive array of services filled with choice, and opportunities- focusing on health, wellness and independence. For more information, contact 410-638-3025 or www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/aging.
Really? Aside from Expanding and refining health promotion and wellness programming in senior centers, it doesn’t appear that the Office on Aging actually does anything any more. It used to be such a vibrant, successful program for seniors who were excited and eager to participate in the many offerings. These days the staff is surly, the instructors have largely been driven away, and the programs nearly non-existent. Why bother continuing with the charade? Why not just kill it until someone competent can assume control?