What is Five Wishes? It is an easy-to-use legal document that lets you plan, in advance, for care that you want to receive when you become seriously ill. The Five Wishes document is unique among living wills and health agent forms because it gives the opportunity to express all of your medical, personal, emotional, and spiritual needs. In celebration of National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, 2008, Baltimore County Department of Aging is promoting the use of Five Wishes throughout our county.
Five Wishes also encourages discussing your wishes with your family and physician. Five Wishes lets your family and doctors know: which person you want to make health care decisions for you when you can’t; the kind of medical treatment you want or don’t want; how comfortable you want to be; how you want people to treat you; and what you want your loved ones to know.
To learn more about the Five Wishes document and to obtain a copy, attend one of the scheduled open houses at our Baltimore County Senior Centers. Beginning April 16, 2008, all 19 Baltimore County Department of Aging Senior Centers will have the Five Wishes document available for individuals for free, a savings of $5. Limited copies are also available in Korean, Russian, and Spanish and can be obtained by calling BCDA Senior Information & Assistance at 410-887-2594.
Under the 2008 Stimulus Package low-income workers and seniors who had at least $3,000 in earned income, Social Security benefits, Veteran's Affairs benefits, and/or railroad retirement benefits in 2007 are eligible for a rebate. They must file a federal tax return this year to be eligible to receive the tax rebate, even if they do not usually file a tax form.
The National Council on Aging has a Fact Sheet on who qualifies and what they need to do (PDF.)
If individuals need help with filing for the tax rebate, they can contact the Tax Aide Program within Baltimore County senior centers to set up an appointment. The following documents will need to be brought to the meeting: Social Security statement (SSA 1099) and any documents for taxable income (dividends, pension, disability, interest, etc.)
Baltimore County Department of Aging is offering three financial education workshops throughout 2008. Topics included will be Will Social Security Be There For You, Baby Boomer?, Considering Long Term Care Insurance or Reverse Mortgages and How Much Do I Need To Retire? To find out more information, click on the links above or contact Senior Information and Assistance at 410-887-2594.
As part of our Courage to Move Forward initiative, Baltimore County's fitness centers are holding open houses so that senior residents in Baltimore County can learn more about the centers. We have received the 2006 Physical Activity Excellence Award from the State Advisory Council on Physical Fitness; the 2006 National Area Agencies on Aging Achivement Award and a 2007 National Association of Counties Award for fitness centers located in our senior centers. Fitness Centers are located at Ateaze, Bykota, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Liberty, Parkville, and Pikesville Senior Centers. A new fitness center is underway for Seven Oaks Senior Center. The project is operated in partnership with Towson University School of Health Professions. Each participant receives a fitness assessment, orientation and individual exercise plan to address his/her fitness needs.
To learn more about Baltimore County's fitness centers, Watch our Video. (Recommended for high speed connections only.)
Victory Villa Senior Center is located at 403 Compass Road, just off of Martin Blvd (Route 700.) The center began in March of 1973 as a one-day site open on Tuesdays; today it is a fully accredited senior center, open Monday through Friday. Victory Villa Senior Center is named after a community that was established during World War II to support the workers of the Glen L. Martin Aircraft Company. Many of these communities still remain, including Edgewater and Aero Acres.
The center is a vital resource to the communities of Middle River, Chase and Gunpowder watershed areas in southeast Baltimore County. The senior center provides a variety of classes, trips, special events, information and opportunities for seniors to remain vital, active members of the community.
Activities to be held at the center in May include a 35th Anniversary Party, a concert featuring Fabulous Music of the 40's, and an educational program called Helping Friends Who are Grieving. Read more about these activities in the monthly newsletter The Victory Villa Navigator (PDF.)
To find more events at Baltimore County Senior Centers, visit our newsletters section or the Aging calendar of events.
For information or comments, contact: the Department of Aging via e-mail or call 410-887-2594. At the left, please find links to valuable information guides and services offered to senior citizens and their families by the Baltimore County Department of Aging.
The mission of the Baltimore County Department of Aging is to develop and administer programs and activities that support Baltimore County senior citizens in their efforts to remain healthy, active, and independent members of the community and to provide, coordinate, and advocate for services which ensure the highest quality of life for both active and health-impaired seniors, their families, and caregivers.
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Revised May 1, 2008
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