Office of Community and Civic Engagement hosts Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience for patients and caregivers information session.
The Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) continues to strengthen its commitment to connecting West Baltimore residents with valuable health, workforce, and community resources through partnerships with local and regional organizations.
Most recently, OCCE partnered with the Central Maryland Area Health Education Center (CMAHEC) to host a community information session on the GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) program, a Medicare-supported initiative designed to improve quality of life for people living with dementia while providing training, support, care coordination, and respite services for caregivers. The program helps families access resources that allow older adults to remain safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible. The program, which is offered at no cost to eligible patients and caregivers, is made available through a partnership with the CMAHEC and the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence.
The partnership reflects OCCE's ongoing efforts to bring trusted organizations and practical resources directly to community residents through programming at the UMB Community Engagement Center (CEC). OCCE regularly collaborates with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, health care providers, and educational institutions to address community priorities and improve access to information and services.
CMAHEC is a longtime community partner. Earlier this year, the organization collaborated with OCCE on the Training West Baltimore in Community Health (TWICH) initiative, which provided funding for 10 West Baltimore residents to complete community health worker training at the CEC. The program helped participants build skills for careers that support community health, patient navigation, and health education while strengthening the local health workforce.
Through initiatives such as TWICH and the recent dementia care workshop, OCCE continues to leverage community partnerships to expand access to education, workforce development opportunities, and health resources for Baltimore residents. By bringing community organizations together and creating pathways for residents to connect with services, OCCE advances its mission of supporting health equity, economic mobility, and community well-being throughout West Baltimore.
Anyone interested in learning more about dementia support services, caregiver resources, or upcoming community programs can email info@mdlivingwell.org or complete its information form.