Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. Do we have Senior Housing in Cecil County?
Yes, we do. Click here to see a list of senior housing and senior assisted housing.

2. Can I receive help with paying for my medication?
Medicare provides prescription drug coverage. Anyone with Medicare Part A and/or B is eligible to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. The names of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are listed in the Medicare and You Handbook. Private health companies work with Medicare to offer these drug plans. Each plan will have its own list of covered drugs called a formulary list.

You may be eligible for help with prescriptions through the Senior Care Program. This service is for adults 65 and older who are frail, disabled and at risk of entering a nursing home. The program's goal is to assist you to remain safely in the community in your home if that is your choice.

A comprehensive assessment of each individual's needs is completed by a case manager. Financial assistance with medications, medical supplies, medical equipment, adult day care, and in-home services is available when other sources have been exhausted. A person must be disabled and meet income requirement to be eligible. Client contributions are encouraged. This service is administered by Senior Services & Community Transit, in coordination with the local Department of Social Services and the local Health Department. Call 410.995.5295 for more information.

3. I cannot afford to hire a lawyer, but I need a will. Can Senior Services & Community Transit help me?
You may be able to receive this service through the Seniors Legal Assistance Program. Legal representation, counseling, advice and referral is available to adults 60 and older in the priority areas of income maintenance, disability benefits, health care, long term care, government benefit denial and appeal, landlord/tenant matters, home-owner problems, utilities, consumer issues, age discrimination and other matters which pose a threat to life-quality.

Fee generating cases are not eligible. Referrals are made to low fee or free legal assistance for wills, estates, living wills, and durable power of attorney. For more information, call 410.996.5295.

4. I am caring for my parent and need some help. It is getting to be too much for me to do. Is there any help available?
Senior Services & Community Transit's Senior Information & Assistance Program may be able to help you. We can help you assess your parents' situation and make referrals to appropriate programs. One such program is the Senior Care Program explained in question number 2.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program offers information and assistance to family members of individuals 60 years of age and over. The program provides educational information through a quarterly newsletter, a caregiver lending library and an annual caregiver conference. A monthly support group meets at the Elkton Center. Limited funding for Respite and Supplemental services for the relief and support of the caregiver may be available. Call 410.996.5295 for more information.

5. I am being overwhelmed by medical bills. Can you help me with them?
We may be able to help you through the Senior Health Insurance Program and the Senior Information and Assistance Program. These programs provide information on services available to adults 60 and over, and how to contact the services. These programs also provide special help for those requiring assistance. Call 410.996.5295 for more information. 

6. I'm new to the community, how can I get involved?
SSCT has an active volunteer program that functions under the guidance of Krista Gilmore, Volunteer Coordinator. Current needs range from transportation assistance, home delivered meals, mentoring within the public school system, to office assistance, telephone reassurance, and just being a friend to a homebound individual. Call 410-996-5295 and talk to Krista about all the SSCT opportunities and additional opportunities within the community.

7. I just retired, now what?
Drop by Senior Services & Community Transit and see what we have to offer! We have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, trips and special events, educational presentations, current health insurance information and someone to help you understand it all. We also have the area's only fitness facility for adults 55+ - the Healthy Lifestyles Fitness Center. We promise not to take up all of your free time, but we'll help you have fun and give you the chance to help others at the same time.

8. My doctor told me I need to exercise, but I don't like to do it by myself. What can I do?
If you are 55+, you're in luck! The Healthy Lifestyles Fitness Center, located at 55 Augustine Herman Highway in Elkton, was created for adults over the age of 55. It offers certified Fitness Coordinators, senior-specific Keiser exercise equipment, a non-threatening environment, and a low monthly fee of $19.95! People are discovering that participating in a personal, supervised workout program is helping them feel better and have more energy. Stop by and pick up a Physician's Release Form or visit our website at www.strong2day.org and download a form. Once your doctor has released you to exercise, call 410.620.3101 and schedule an appointment with one of our Fitness Coordinators for your initial workout program. Join people all over the county who are feeling better and having fun!

9. I have Arthritis, so I can't exercise.
Well, join our P.A.C.E. Program! That stands for People with Arthritis Can Exercise and was created by the Arthritis Foundation. Our Fitness Coordinators are certified P.A.C.E. Instructors. The P.A.C.E. program meets Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and is for anyone who suffers from the effects of Arthritis. It is a gentle, range of motion program and has been proven to increase joint strength and help reduce stiffness. Call 410.620.3101 for more information.

10. What is the Life Beyond Cancer Fitness Program?
The Life Beyond Cancer Fitness Program was created for individuals of any age who are currently suffering from the effects of cancer surgery or the treatment itself. Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at the Healthy Lifestyles Fitness Center and are free to residents of Cecil County. Our Fitness Coordinators are also Certified Cancer Exercise Specialists and are able to work with individuals through each stage of the cancer process. Call 410.620.3101 for more information.

11. I can't go to the grocery store anymore - can you help me?
If you are a homebound individual, meaning that you are unable to leave your home except to go to doctor appointments, etc., then you might qualify for our Home Shopping Program. Our Home Shopper will call each week to get your grocery/pharmacy list and then shop for you. When your items are delivered, you simply write a check reimbursing the Home Shopper. It's as easy as that. To determine if you are eligible, you will need to schedule an appointment for our Information and Assistance Specialist to come to your home and fill out some basic forms. Call 410-996-5295 for more information. Contributions are encouraged.

12. Why is there a shortage of staffing in nursing home facilities?
There is a great deal of staff turnover in nursing homes because the facilities are unable to pay the amount of salary/ benefits that matches the level of skill and responsibility required.  The most turnover occurs with the Certified Nursing Aides who work long hours, receive low pay, and are responsible for providing quality medical care while the patient resides in the facility.  The "burn out" level is high for nursing home staff.  Nursing home facilities occasionally hire temporary staff through employment agencies to make up for the shortage.

13. How can my family member stay in a Nursing Home Facility when they cannot afford to pay?
The most important action to take to ensure that your loved one can stay in a nursing home is to apply for Long Term Care Medical Assistance (Medicaid).  If your family member meets all of the medical and financial requirements to be approved for Medicaid he/she will be able to stay.  To start the process of applying for Medicaid meet with one of the social workers in the facility or contact the local Department of Social Services Medicaid Unit to make an appointment. Once your family member is approved for Medicaid they will be evaluated for continued eligibility annually.

14. How can I be accepted into the Medicaid Waiver for Older Adults Program?
There are two ways to be accepted into the program.  If you reside in a nursing home facility and are currently receiving Long Term Care Medicaid benefits, you can apply now.  Contact Senior Services & Community Transit at 410-996-5295 to get information about the program. If you live in the community (your own home, apartment or an Assisted Living Home), call 1-866-417-3480 to place your name on the state Registry,  the waiting list for the program.

15. I am a resident in a nursing home facility and have applied for the Medicaid Waiver for Older Adults Program. Why can't I go home and wait to be approved?
If you reside in a nursing home, and wish to be accepted into the Medicaid Waiver for Older Adults Program, you must go through the application process.  Before you can be approved and leave the nursing home, you must have received Long Term Care Medicaid benefits and lived in the nursing home for at least thirty consecutive days. The approval process includes writing an appropriate plan of care. The plan of care identifies the services that you will need to live safely in the community.