AARP Maryland Welcomes Carmel Roques as Secretary of Aging

AARP Maryland is warmly greeting the news that Governor Wes Moore has selected Carmel Roques to lead the Maryland Department of Aging. In a statement, AARP Maryland State Director Hank Greenberg said:

Howard Korn for AARP

“We welcome the appointment of Carmel Roques to lead the Maryland Department of Aging. She has earned an excellent reputation among many advocates for seniors and shares our aspirational goals of making Maryland an Age Friendly state. We look forward to working with her to achieve those goals. There is much to do to support the growing population of seniors – with over 1 million Marylanders who are currently over the age of 60, an age group that is expected to comprise 25% of our population by the end of this decade. We are particularly pleased that she comes with a background in both aging and mental health, issues that are priorities for AARP.

“People want to age in place in this great state. That will require comprehensive planning that addresses affordable housing and utilities, long term care reform and quality health care and continuing our drive for lower prescription drug costs, high-speed internet access in underserved rural and urban areas, reliable transportation, opportunities to engage socially, employment for those who choose to work, and addressing cognitive and behavioral health issues that have become of growing concern among older persons.”