AERS Connects Adults and Disabled with Services

What if adults, or those with disabilities, and their caregivers had one place to go to find out about the many programs in Garrett County designed to offer help? That is the mission of the Adult Evaluation and Review Services (AERS) program located at the Garrett County Health Department.

AERS is a Maryland Medicaid funded program that provides comprehensive evaluations for anyone 18 or older, and also for aged and functionally disabled adults who need connected to resources, need long term care, or are at risk for institutionalization. AERS staff are nurses and social workers. They identify services that can help individuals either remain in the community, or in the least restrictive environment, where they are able to function at the highest possible level of independence.

Garrett County’s Adult Evaluation and Review Services team is located in the Oakland office of the Health Department.  The team consists of registered nurses and a licensed social worker.  A team member evaluates the clients medical and social services needs by doing a basic routine check-up, reviewing all of the medications, talking to their doctor, and determining the need for assistance.  Team members then talk to the client and their family about the services that are available to assist the patient.

“We spend a big percent of our time connecting patient to resources,” said Kim Powell, RN. “For example, we do our AERS assessment to determine needs, but then we do additional paper referrals for meals, glasses, dentures, etc. A considerable amount of time is also devoted to phone calls to medical professionals concerning client health history and needs.”

The AERS team accepts referrals from the client, family members, friends, and doctors.  Any adult, 18 and older, living in Garrett County is eligible for an AERS evaluation regardless of income, and there is no charge for the evaluation.

Although AERS began as Geriatric Evaluation Services in the late 60s, the program now evaluates clients of all ages for community resources. One of the goals is to prevent premature placement in a nursing facility, although we connect people with many other services as needed.

AERS also does the medical eligibility for Community First Choice/ Community Options Waiver programs which provide attendant care, equipment, etc. for Medical Assistance clients, and we provide Nurse Monitoring/ Quality Assurance for the Residential Service Agencies which provide the direct care for the clients who are receiving services under the waiver.

The team provides a comprehensive evaluation and refers clients to programs which provide: in home delivered meals, help with personal care and chores, assistance with the cost of medical supplies and equipment, dental and vision care, dentures, eyeglasses, and prescriptions, and respite services.  AERS also provides assistance with paperwork for enrollment in the Medicaid Waiver Program, or for admission to a nursing home under Medicaid. A complete list of referral agencies and services may be accessed on our webpage at GarrettHealth.org/aers or call 301-334-7740 or 301-895-3111.

For Immediate Release:  January 17, 2017

Contact Person: Diane Lee, PIO, 301-334-7689