Happy Holidays from the Office on Aging & Independence

News & Events for Older Adults in Howard County • December 2024

Howard County Office on Aging & Independence extends 50+ Center hours to serve you better

Good news! The Office on Aging & Independence (OAI) has extended hours at the Bain, Elkridge and East Columbia 50+ Centers. To provide more opportunities for older adults to stay active and connected, these centers are open Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. - noon.

Starting January 6, the Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center will be open during these exnteded hours as well, for older adults who are still working but want to take advantage of the fitness room.

"These changes reflect how we’re reframing aging in line with our vision to create a community for all ages and stages of life," said County Executive Calvin Ball. "We want to hear from you about other ways we can improve our programs and services for older adults. Email aging@howardcountymd.gov to share your thoughts."

To stay in touch with OAI, read the 50+ Connection and our 50+ Centers' quarterly newsletters.

Check out these upcoming events, highlighted by OAI's 50+ Center directors:

An older adult making a gingerbread house

Gingerbread House Workshop

East Columbia 50+ Center

December 4, 3:30 p.m. / Register

Bring the holidays to life with a custom gingerbread house! Join an expert sugar artist for a sweet, hands-on class full of festive fun. Cost $45.

Senior Planet: Getting Started with WhatsApp

Glenwood 50+ Center / December 5, 11 a.m. / Register

Get connected with WhatsApp! In this hands-on workshop, learn how to download the app, send messages and photos, and make voice or video calls. Bring your fully charged smartphone and join the fun!

Holiday Craft Show

Ellicott City 50+ Center

December 6, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. / No registration required

Shop locally for the holidays at our annual holiday craft fair. Enjoy a variety of homemade crafts, artisanal foods, jewelry, and more. Admission is $1; all proceeds benefit Small Miracles Cat & Dog Rescue.

Tasty Tidbits: Mini Cheesecake Santa Hats

North Laurel 50+ Center

December 11, 10 a.m. / Register

Santa Claus is coming to the center with his strawberry hat! Join Cheryl Campbell, OAI nutrition specialist, to make a no-bake, low-calorie cheesecake perfect for any festive gathering.

Decking the Halls with Natural Materials

Elkridge 50+ Center

December 17, 1 p.m. / Register

Transform forest finds, supermarket staples and winter garden treasures into cozy holiday decorations. Join the Master Gardeners for creative tips to bring seasonal warmth to your home.

MythBusters: Breaking Down the Barriers & Myths of Exercise and Nutrition

Ellicott City 50+ Fitness

December 17, noon / Register

Roxanne Hartman, certified personal trainer and occupational therapist, joins Sherri Lively, certified nutrition coach and Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Coordinator, to break down misconceptions you may have about fitness and nutrition.

The Holidays: Broadway Style

Bain 50+ Center

December 18, 1 p.m. / Register

Dancer and choreographer Lisa Yangus takes us on an insider’s journey through the magic of Broadway during the holiday season.

Project Holiday bags to be distributed to isolated older adults in Howard County during the holidays.

There's still time to support Project Holiday

Each year, OAI leads Project Holiday to collect, assemble and deliver new gift items for older adults living in assisted living facilities, nursing homes and in the community who would otherwise not receive a gift. View the donation wish list for suggested items; donations accepted at Howard County 50+ Centers through December 6. Visit the Project Holiday website to learn how you can help brighten the holidays for some of Howard County’s older adults.

Photo collage from the OAI Thanksgiving Dinner

OAI Giving Thanks Luncheon & Dance:

An Intergenerational Celebration

More than 265 older adults attended OAI's annual Thanksgiving event November 20 at Ten Oaks Ballroom, dancing to live music and feasting on a traditional menu of roast turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and more. Special thanks to the students from Clarksville Middle School who helped serve the meal, danced and mingled with guests. New this year, a prize basket raffle brought in over $600 to benefit Project Holiday.

Open enrollment ends December 7! Howard County’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you explore options to ensure your Medicare plan still meets your needs and protect you from Medicare scams and fraud. SHIP's trusted advisors will help you review your current coverage, prepare for changes coming in 2025 and/or consider a Medicare Advantage plan. Call 410-313-7392 (voice/relay) for assistance.

A mature mother looks at a cell phone with her adult daughter.

Spending the holidays apart? Stay connected with family holiday activities & tips from Trualta

Is your family spread apart this holiday season? Distance might make it hard to get together, but you can still find ways to connect with one another over the next few weeks! With a bit of creative thought and these ideas from Trualta, you can recreate the experience of being together even if you aren’t all in the same room. Trualta is a free online portal offering caregiver resources, webinars and articles, and most importantly, 24/7 access to a supportive community. Whether you’re caring for a partner, parent or child, Trualta is here to help. Enroll now.

Living Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)

Thursdays, January 16 - February 20, 5:30 - 8 p.m. / Register

Also offered virtually, this six-week CDSMP can help you manage chronic health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and more. Small group discussion focus on nutrition, exercise, communication with family members and health care providers, feelings of frustration and more. Free.

Take a look inside the Connections Social Day program

OAI's Connections Social Day Program fosters connection and provides additional support for older adults who need guidance and supervision. There are now two locations to choose from - at the Ellicott City and East Columbia 50+ Centers. Watch the video to see how Connections participants benefit from opportunities to make new friends and enjoy a more active lifestyle. For more information, email Felicia Stein, Connections program director, or call 410-313-1425 (voice/relay).

Listen to learn winter mental health tips

While many of us are living our best lives during this most wonderful time of the year, we know that for many others, the lack of sunlight, the winter season, unhealthy addictions, and mental illness can make the season anything but bright. In December’s episode of HoCo Community Chat, DCRS Director and host Jackie Scott talks with two members of our partnering agencies: Harm Reduction Lead Certified Peer Support Specialist with the Bureau of Behavioral Health, Howard County Health Department, Arron Hall; and Deputy Director of Substance Use Disorder and Outpatient Mental Health Clinic with Grassroots Crisis Intervention, Sarah Aleem, with inspirational stories and tools to help you. Listen today!

Pay tribute to Howard County Veterans

Tribute website to honor Howard County veterans

Howard County has launched a new initiative to honor its current and former military members. “I encourage everyone to visit our Veterans Tribute page to learn more about County residents who have served or are serving and share your hero’s story," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. Tributes are accepted via the “Howard County Veterans & Military Members Tribute” submission form. Email veterans@howardcountymd.gov for more information.

For more information about Office on Aging & Independence programs, visit our website or follow us on social media @HoCoCommunity. If you need assistance, contact Maryland Access Point of Howard County at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/map.