It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Perry Hall Mansion in Perry Point, MD gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Perry Point, MD is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I am a past client of this provider My mother passed away two months ago after nearly four years of coverage from the team members of ABC Upper Chesapeake. Mom and I were both very pleased with the coverage. ABC was most congenial to do their best to provide Mom with caretakers whom we found suited to Mom's personality and temperament. In the very few cases this was not so, we asked for someone else to care for Mom and this was promptly provided. All in all the caretakers were kind, friendly, competent and helpful, providing Mom with good care and company. Elaine G was very helpful in getting us in contact with the VA so that Mom was able to obtain a monthly benefit entitled to her because of Dad's service in the military. That was a great financial help to us in our particular situation. I strongly recommend this agency for the homebound and ill. They will work with you to do all they can to grant your reasonable requests. Thank you, Elaine and caretakers!”
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“I interviewed this provider I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in another state. I met with Elaine (the owner) to discuss my options and determine the best caregiver service to meet my parents needs. She was a great help; addressed all my questions and concerns and gave me peace of mind that my parents were in good hands. Their caregiver is wonderful and very competent. I don't have to worry about them or become a detective to find out what is going on with them in Maryland. Although my parents were a little skeptical at first, Elaine and her staff have put their mind at ease and made them feel very comfortable about the entire experience. They both feel much safer now and happier that they are able to stay in the home that they love. I am comforted in knowing that my parents are receiving quality care and they are in the capable hands of Elaine and her staff at Always Best Care. Words can not express my sincere gratitude for the awesome care provided to my parents.”
“I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in another state. I met with Elaine (the owner) to discuss my options and determine the best caregiver service to meet my parents needs. She was a great help; addressed all my questions and concerns and gave me peace of mind that my parents were in good hands. Their caregiver is wonderful and very competent. I don't have to worry about them or become a detective to find out what is going on with them in Maryland. Although my parents were a little skeptical at first, Elaine and her staff have put their mind at ease and made them feel very comfortable about the entire experience. They both feel much safer now and happier that they are able to stay in the home that they love. I am comforted in knowing that my parents are receiving quality care and they are in the capable hands of Elaine and her staff at Always Best Care. Words can not express my sincere gratitude for the awesome care provided to my parents.”
“I am a past client of this provider I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always Best Care of Upper Chesapeake: Highly competent, Comforting, caring, extremely attentive, endlessly patient and reassuring. Elaine Gill has done an amazing job at ensuring that the staff she has are just as committed to ensuring the highest quality of life for every client, as Elaine! You are on the top of my list for any further care services that my family members may need going forward.”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Perryville Community Park in Perry Point, MD with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Stars Restaurant or visit Fort Armistead, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Perry Point, MD, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Perry Point, MD understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Perry Point, MD 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Veterans Housing ConstructionSalvador Rios / UnsplashMaryland has closed financing for a second phase of housing at Perry Point Veterans Village, a supportive-housing community on the grounds of the Perry Point VA Medical Center in Perryville that serves formerly homeless veterans and their families. Governor Wes Moore announced the funding for the project, which is expected to more than double the community's capacity once finished.According to WMAR-2 News Baltimore, Maryland is investing more than $23 milli...
Veterans Housing ConstructionSalvador Rios / Unsplash
Maryland has closed financing for a second phase of housing at Perry Point Veterans Village, a supportive-housing community on the grounds of the Perry Point VA Medical Center in Perryville that serves formerly homeless veterans and their families. Governor Wes Moore announced the funding for the project, which is expected to more than double the community's capacity once finished.
According to WMAR-2 News Baltimore, Maryland is investing more than $23 million to expand housing for homeless and at-risk veterans in Cecil County, and the outlet reports the investment will add 77 homes to the village. A press release from Governor Moore's office states that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has closed financing for the second phase of HELP Perry Point Veterans Village in Perryville, though it does not specify an exact award amount.
The number of new homes in this phase varies depending on the source. HELPDevCo, the project's developer, says Phase II of HELP Perry Point Veterans Village will be home to 76 low-income veterans and their families, while a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development environmental document describes the project as consisting of 76 units plus one superintendent's unit. WMAR-2 News, meanwhile, reports the investment will add 77 homes to the village.
Phase II sits on the same site as the original development, on the grounds of the Perry Point VA Medical Center, per HELPDevCo. Construction is underway now, with the developer's project page stating that the work will be complete at the end of 2027. That timeline has shifted from earlier expectations: the Cecil Daily reported in a 2023 article that Phase II was planned to be completed by 2024.
Residents of the completed project will have access to VA services including case management, life-skills training and mental health care, per the seed reporting from WMAR-2 News. HELPDevCo notes that supportive services for Phase II residents will be provided by the Veterans Administration, the same model used in the first phase. Financing for the new construction will draw on low-income housing tax credits along with funding from Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development, the VA, and several foundations, according to HELPDevCo.
The first phase of Perry Point Veterans Village opened in 2018 and is home to 75 formerly homeless veterans and their families, HELPDevCo says. That original phase involved converting earlier homes on the Perry Point property into housing for homeless veterans, and by 2019 the community included 40 houses divided into 75 apartments for veterans and their families. The $23.3 million first-phase development was financed largely with 4% low-income housing tax credit equity, according to Housing Finance Magazine.
Cecil County has seen other state efforts aimed at veteran homelessness in recent years. Maryland announced 50 housing vouchers for homeless veterans in the county in 2021, part of a broader push alongside the Perry Point village itself. A preservation review tied to the current expansion found no adverse effect on the Perry Point Village and Perry Point Veterans Administration Medical Center historic districts, which it describes as eligible for historic-district status, according to a memorandum from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
Once finished, the expansion will more than double the community's capacity, according to the seed reporting from WMAR-2 News. The project continues a model that pairs permanent supportive housing with VA case management directly on a medical campus, giving residents proximity to the health and mental-health services they rely on. For veterans in Cecil County still waiting on stable housing, the added units represent a significant, if still partially undefined, expansion of one of the region's longest-running supportive-housing efforts.
Hello! I'm your Voice for Veterans reporter for WMAR-2 News. If you have a story idea to share, please email me at [email protected] POINT, Md. — CECIL COUNTY, Md. — For some veterans, healing doesn't always come through words. Sometimes, it comes through music, a familiar melody or the simple act of sitting down with others who understand what they've been through.At the Perry Point VA Medical Center in Cecil County, a group of veterans is discovering that picking up a guitar can mean much more...
Hello! I'm your Voice for Veterans reporter for WMAR-2 News. If you have a story idea to share, please email me at [email protected]
PERRY POINT, Md. — CECIL COUNTY, Md. — For some veterans, healing doesn't always come through words. Sometimes, it comes through music, a familiar melody or the simple act of sitting down with others who understand what they've been through.
At the Perry Point VA Medical Center in Cecil County, a group of veterans is discovering that picking up a guitar can mean much more than learning a new instrument.
Through the VA Maryland Health Care System's outpatient guitar therapy group, veterans are finding friendship, rebuilding confidence and rediscovering passions they once thought were lost.
For Army veteran Bill Harkins, the program has helped him turn one of the darkest chapters of his life into an opportunity for connection and personal growth.
"I had isolated for about three years prior to coming in. I hadn't played guitar in years. I didn't want to do it," Harkins said.
Harkins served four years in the Army during the mid-1990s. Years later, he found himself experiencing homelessness and struggling with isolation.
While receiving shelter and support at Perry Point, his therapist suggested he try the facility's guitar therapy program.
Initially, he resisted.
"I didn't want to play in front of other people," Harkins said.
But after meeting other veterans in the group, including Army veteran Isom Brown, he began to realize the program was about much more than music.
"All of them talked about the same thing, the camaraderie, how they felt better when they left, no matter how they felt coming in," Harkins recalled. "And I thought to myself, all right, the music doesn't matter. This is what we're here for, and I've been coming ever since."
For Harkins, the journey back to connecting with others wasn't easy.
He described reaching a point in his life when he knew something needed to change.
"You just get to your, your lowest point really when, when you see yourself. Spiraling down a hole, you know, uh, OK, either I start climbing out of it or I'm never coming out of it," Harkins said.
Drawing on the perseverance he learned through military service, he decided to seek help.
"There's a survivor in all of us, especially veterans. We, we know how to keep pushing," he said.
Harkins has now been participating in the guitar group for a little more than a year, alongside individual and group therapy.
He says the combination has helped him develop tools to manage his challenges, but music has offered something uniquely practical: a reason to leave isolation behind and interact with others.
"I thought it would be more of a hobby, a side thing," he said. "This has helped me in a more practical sense as far as interacting with people and getting out and doing things, being on a stage."
And those opportunities have taken him places he never expected.
Within three months of joining the program, Harkins was performing onstage at the Maryland State Fair.
He also earned a national gold medal in a competition, which led to an opportunity to participate in a national competition in South Carolina.
"My world just opened up because of this," Harkins said.
Now, he helps with beginner guitar groups, plays alongside more experienced musicians and spends time with friends he's made through the program, even outside regularly scheduled sessions.
"Now I have friends," he said.
Perhaps most importantly, he says the program has helped him feel like he belongs again.
"I just feel better. I feel lighter. I feel connected. I feel seen," Harkins said.
For someone who spent years withdrawing from social activities, that sense of belonging has been transformative.
"This makes me a part of two groups, musicians and veterans," he said.
Army veteran Isom Brown knows how intimidating it can feel to walk into a room of musicians without knowing how to play.
Brown served 22 years in the Army, including time as an instructor at Aberdeen Proving Ground, and later worked for the Postal Service for 20 years.
About a year and a half ago, Brown told his counselor in Baltimore that he had an old guitar sitting at home.
His counselor recommended the guitar therapy program at Perry Point.
Brown decided to give it a try, even though he had little experience playing the instrument.
"When I first got here, you know, I wasn't that good on guitar, you know, and stuff like that, and I was a little bit intimidated," Brown said.
But after just a few sessions, his perspective changed.
"I look forward to coming here. And uh I always feel better when I leave than when I come," he said.
Brown describes the guitar group as a calming environment where veterans can set aside the stress of everyday life and enjoy time with people who share similar experiences.
For him, the benefits go well beyond learning chords or songs.
"When you get here it's the camaraderie. It, it's great," Brown said.
He says the welcoming environment allows veterans of different skill levels to learn from one another without fear of being judged.
"There's no judgment. You come here, you play," Brown said.
Even on difficult days, he finds himself leaving with a more positive outlook.
Sometimes, another veteran will show him a new guitar chord or technique, inspiring him to go home and practice before returning to learn something else.
That shared learning has also turned into friendship.
Brown credits Harkins with helping him improve as a guitarist and describes him as a mentor.
Together, the two have even performed at the state fair, including playing the song "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
"We like playing together," Brown said.
Kelsey Eisenhauer, the lead music and creative arts therapist for the VA Maryland Health Care System, says the connection between music and healing has deep roots in military history.
The practice dates back to World War II, when musicians began visiting military hospitals to perform for wounded service members.
According to Eisenhauer those early efforts helped inspire the development of music therapy as a field.
Since then, research has explored how music therapy can support mental health, physical rehabilitation, memory and other areas of recovery.
At Perry Point, Eisenhauer says the results can sometimes be seen within a single session.
Veterans may arrive feeling anxious, overwhelmed or weighed down by medical appointments and other challenges.
But by the time they leave, their demeanor can be noticeably different.
"They're just lighter, um, they're more connected," Eisenhauer said.
She says one of the most common things she hears from participants is that they feel more connected to others.
That connection is particularly important for veterans who struggle with isolation.
"Since isolation is such a huge part of what so many of our veterans deal with, being able to feel connected and part of a community is so powerful," Eisenhauer said.
Over time, Eisenhauer has watched veterans who once rarely left their homes begin performing in public and building relationships with others.
She's also seen music provide a positive outlet for veterans facing substance abuse challenges, helping them reconnect with healthier routines and interests.
For Eisenhauer, the goal is not simply teaching veterans to play music. It's helping them develop the confidence, skills and support systems needed to move forward independently.
"They do all of the work, um, I just help them get there," she said.
The VA Maryland Health Care System offers both music therapy and music-for-wellness opportunities.
Eisenhauer explained that music therapy is designed around participants' individual therapeutic needs, while music-for-wellness programs offer opportunities for connection and creative expression with a different level of clinical support.
The guitar group at Perry Point is part of the VA's music therapy programming and its broader Arts in the Community initiative.
That initiative also includes creative arts workshops, a therapeutic veteran band, community drum circles and Native American flute circles.
Through these activities, veterans have opportunities not just to learn, but to share their music with others and become part of a larger community.
For Harkins, returning to the guitar has meant reconnecting with something he loved since childhood.
He says depression and isolation previously caused him to put the instrument away for years at a time.
"When people are in a deep depression, you, you lose interest in everything that you used to love," he said.
Now, he can't imagine giving music up again.
"To be able to bring that back, to have something that I valued and have be able to work towards it with other veterans is an amazing feeling," Harkins said.
He's also hoping to use what he's learned to help other veterans who may be facing the same struggles.
Both Harkins and Brown hope their experiences will encourage other veterans to give music therapy a chance, even if they've never picked up an instrument before.
Brown says beginners shouldn't be discouraged if they feel intimidated at first.
"Music is soothing for everybody whether you listen to it or playing it," he said.
Harkins says veterans don't even have to participate right away.
"I would tell him just come and at least just watch, just sit here. There's no pressure to play. There's no pressure to do anything," he said.
Eisenhauer echoes that invitation, saying she has worked with veterans who initially believed they had no musical ability or wouldn't fit in, only to surprise themselves after participating.
"If you think you can't do it, you can. There are ways, um, and if you think you don't belong, you do," Eisenhauer said.
For Harkins, the music has become a reminder of how far he's come — from years of isolation to performing onstage, developing friendships and discovering new purpose.
"It's just healed me in so many ways," he said.
Veterans interested in the guitar therapy group or other music and creative arts therapy opportunities at Perry Point can speak with their VA healthcare provider about requesting an outpatient music and creative arts therapy consultation.
No one knows Veterans better. Enroll today for high-quality, Veteran-specific care. Get regular checkups, specialist visits (cardiology, podiatry, mental health), home health, geriatric (elder) care, care in the community, urgent care access at over 3,000+ locations, and more.Local Veterans who are not yet enrolled for VA health care were invited to a virtual information session hosted by the VA Maryland Health Care System and held on August 19, 2026. Attendees were presented with an overview of the VA health care enrollment process a...
No one knows Veterans better. Enroll today for high-quality, Veteran-specific care. Get regular checkups, specialist visits (cardiology, podiatry, mental health), home health, geriatric (elder) care, care in the community, urgent care access at over 3,000+ locations, and more.
Local Veterans who are not yet enrolled for VA health care were invited to a virtual information session hosted by the VA Maryland Health Care System and held on August 19, 2026. Attendees were presented with an overview of the VA health care enrollment process and eligibility requirements, along with details on how to apply for enrollment. The presenters and panelists then answered their specific questions.
Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/CGaozCDMdVk
TELL-A-VET: If you know any Veterans who are not yet receiving the VA health care benefits they’ve received, please share this information with them so that they can Choose VA!
Apply in person for VA health care at the Baltimore VA Medical Center: https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/locations/baltimore-va-medical-center or the Perry Point VA Medical Center: https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/locations/perry-point-va-medical-center
Apply online for VA health care: https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction
Apply over the telephone for VA health care: 855-976-1093
Contact our Toxic Exposure Navigator: 410-605-7000, ext. 57671
Submit a claim (Disability Compensation VA Form 21-526EZ): https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/introduction
Contact the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families: 410-230-4444
Subscribe to News & Announcements (E-News): https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USVHA_87
Stay Connected with the VA Maryland Health Care System on social media: https://www.facebook.com/MDVAHCS, https://x.com/mdvahcs, https://www.instagram.com/mdvahcs
410-877-3787
