COMMISSION ON AGING

Chairperson: Margaret C. Schweinhaut, 1983

Appointed members: Edmund G. Beacham, 1983;
Dana G. Cable, 1983; Reverend Msgr. Leo J.
Coady, 1983; Viola M. Gardner, 1983; Rena Z.
Greenblatt, 1983; Betty K. Hamburger, 1983;
William E. Henry, 1983; Alexander W.
Kramer, 1983; Pauline H. Menes, 1983; Edwin
Robertson, 1983; John H. Shope, 1983; Rose
Sullivan, 1983.

THE OFFICE ON AGING

Matthew L. Tayback, Sc.D., State Director on
Aging

Harry F. Walker, Deputy Director
James F. Chmelik, Assistant Director

Room 1004
301 West Preston Street
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-5064

The Office on Aging was established by Chap-
ter 261, Acts of 1975, as an independent agency
to consolidate and coordinate all efforts con-
cerned with the problems of older Marylanders.
Its predecessor agency was the State Coordinat-
ing Commission on the Problems of the Aging
created by Chapter 1, Acts of 1959. The name of
this agency was changed to the Commission on
the Aging by Chapter 595, Acts of 1971. In 1974,
by Executive Order, the Governor established the
Governor's Coordinating Office on Problems of
the Aging. The creation of the Office on Aging as
a cabinet-level agency resulted in the merger of
the Commission on the Aging staff with the Gov-
ernor's Coordinating Office on Problems of the
Aging. The Commission on Aging was reassigned
as both an advisory and policy-making board to
the State Director on Aging.

The State Director on Aging is appointed by
and responsible to the Governor. The Director's
actions are subject to the advice, counsel, and ap-
proval of the Commission on Aging. The Office is
divided into two divisions: the Program Division
headed by the Deputy Director and the Adminis-
tration Division headed by the Assistant Director.

In the Program Division are the program offi-
cer, the nutrition program officer, the senior aides

Independent Agencies/305

program officer, the direct service projects coordi-
nator, special assignments coordinator, and
supporting staff. They are responsible for admin-
istering the federal Title III and Title V programs
under the Older Americans Act. This division
also includes the following service and programs:
legal services, transportation, and a long-term
care unit.

The program unit within this division works on
both federal and state planning and evaluation re-
quirements, assists with preparing legislation, and
provides assistance for program staff and grantees.

The Administration Division includes fiscal
and personnel services, information services,
housing services, the legislative advocate, a life
care unit, nursing home advocate, and various
support staff members. Fiscal services is responsi-
ble for the budget, fiscal planning, fiscal grants
management, accounting, and office personnel
management. Information services handles plan-
ned programs of communication as well as volun-
tary reporting on aging issues, programs, and ser-
vices within the state. Public education involves
working with the elderly and general population
in fostering a positive approach towards the aging
process. The public information unit works di-
rectly with senior citizen groups and on behalf of
individuals in handling specific aged-related con-
cerns. The legislative advocate works as a liaison
officer with community-based agencies, other
state departments, and the General Assembly,
Complaints about nursing home practices are re-
ceived and acted upon by the nursing home advo-
cate in accordance with Chapter 857, Acts of
1975. The housing unit has authority by Chapter
143, Acts of 1976, to develop guidelines and stan-
dards for sheltered housing for the elderly, which
will serve to govern certification of such housing
in Maryland.

The Office on Aging coordinates, assesses, and
evaluates all state and local programs and ser-
vices, both public and private, insofar as they re-
late and are important to the well-being of the
state's aged. The Office on Aging administers
programs and activities delegated by the federal
government to the state under the provisions of
the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended;
provides leadership in bringing about changes in
the law beneficial to the elderly; investigates com-
plaints concerning the operations of nursing
homes (Chapter 857, Acts of 1975); engages in
training activities for, and provides consultative
and technical assistance to, local units and agen-
cies conducting programs for the aged; and under
Chapter 143, Acts of 1976, develops, certifies,
and assists in the operation of sheltered housing