Does anyone know resources that can help our Chronic care patients to become more independent and manage their own care?

Don't forget food pantries. Those on limited incomes may need this info. Make sure you know what is needed to receive food from these places. I worked for a food closet. We only allowed food to be received 1x a month. It was considered emergency only. Others in my area require 2 months. Check with your local United Way and see when Government food is given out. Its usually once a month and you need to be on somekind of assistance. We had bakeries that gave out day old baked good.

My local Office of Aging had a booklet of their services. They sent me a copy I could make copies from. Social Services is another place there are services.

I had a table at work where I layed out all the info I could find. I had pamphlets from Care agencies about cost of homecare.

Scratching my head a little bit, here.

Laurie, what are you aiming/hoping to do that the Area Agencies on Aging aren't already doing?

https://aging.maryland.gov/accesspoint/Pages/Area-Agencies-on-Aging.aspx

I don't know if the counties' various agencies already have this, but one resource we use in my little backwater county in England is an online database of services. Local businesses and groups such as laundries, befriending groups, book clubs, garden centres, chiropodists, mobile hairdressers, all the rest of it subscribe and get a listing that details activities, charges (if any), opening hours and so on.

"Wellbeing Information and Signposting Herefordshire" is its official title; and it's great for individuals and families who are online. Not so good for the isolated elders who can't tell one end of a smart phone from the other, of course - but then they can get support with that too.

I'm interested in what you're doing, though. Are you newly arrived to the area and bringing ideas in with you? Any others with you in this initiative? I'd like to wish you the very best of luck with it, anyway.

Go to Maryland.gov for a start but I suggest going to your own county website first as each county offers different programs. You will find information about Meals on Wheels and how to apply on the website. All other programs will be listed on those websites as well.

Have you applied for community Medicaid?

In my experience it is difficult to get free diabetic supplies even with good insurance. Medicaid will offer a formulary of which supplies (& insulin) they pay for but you may still have a copay of some sort. The insulin pens are expensive. Some Medicaid programs pay for insulin vials only due to cost thus requiring the person to use syringes to draw up insulin (like the old days).

Many pharmacies offer delivery services these days due to Covid. I would do a Google search for pharmacies that deliver in your zip code.

You haven’t given us your age but seniors are eligible for many programs here in Maryland.

I was a case manager in PG county MD & can tell you that many programs exist for assistance but you have to meet the income limits & put in the time to apply for the programs which require proof of income and lots of follow up on your part. Often you can get the paperwork you need to complete on the website.

You can also speak to someone at your PCP’s office and ask if they know of any resources in your area.

Nothing, by the way, is free. Someone pays - either you or the taxpayer. Resources have tightened up due to a decrease in state and federal funding but they are still out there.