News & Events for Older Adults    •    February 2023

Connect with us Find activities to stay connected all winter long in the February issue of the 50+ Connection and our quarterly 50+ Center newsletters: 50+ Connection Bain 50+ Center East Columbia 50+ Center Elkridge 50+ Center Ellicott City 50+ Center Glenwood 50+ Center North Laurel 50+ Center Virtual Fitness Schedule Subscribe to have future issues of these and other publications sent to your inbox. And, don't forget to follow us on social media @hococommunity!

Brrr, it's February! Come in out of the cold and join other older adults at your local 50+ Center this month for activities to stimulate your mind, body and spirit. Howard County 50+ Centers offer indoor fitness options to improve your physical wellbeing; lunchtime meals for you to reconnect with old friends and learn about nutrition; and arts and cultural activities to stimulate your creativity. For a look at what's coming up this month, view the February lunch menus and check out the following events, highlighted by our Center directors, below.

Groundhog Day Movie Screening East Columbia 50+ Center / February 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. While waiting to see if we are in for six more weeks of winter or not, join us for continuous showings of "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray. Sit back, have a snack and enjoy this classic movie! Free; for more information, call 410-313-7680 (voice/relay). Indoor Games: A new take on Cornhole Ellicott City 50+ Center / February 3 - March 31, noon to 1:30 p.m. Try cornhole baseball! Instead of a single hole board, this version features multiple holes or "bases" with players and teams taking turns “at bat.” Join the fun with facilitator Pat Galente. Free; register.

Valentine's Celebrations at Glenwood 50+ Center: Teacup Flower Arrangements / February 9, 1 p.m. Food from the Heart Luncheon / February 14, noon Brighten up your home and create a whimsical floral arrangement in a teacup. Bring your favorite teacup or one will be provided. Cost: $5. Register. Join us on Valentine's Day to enjoy a cozy lunch of soup, sandwich and homemade heart cookies, and learn about Valentine's Day history and traditions. Cost:$12. Register

Passage to Freedom Series Bain 50+ Center / February 3, 10:30 a.m. Janice Curtis Greene takes us on a storytelling journey from bondage to soaring with eagles. Now Maryland's official griot, Greene has been telling African American and multicultural stories for over 25 years. Free; register at the Bain front desk or call 410-313-7213. Create & Celebrate: Black History Month North Laurel 50+ Center / February 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon Celebrate Black History Month with a presentation by Marla Moore from the Howard County Office on Human Rights & Equity. Enjoy crafting with Van Buren Wood Works and create a piece of art to take home! Free, sign up at the front desk. Boost Heart Health with Pilates and Strength Training / Elkridge 50+ Center Pilates - Wednesdays, 9 to 10 a.m. ($64) Strength Training - Fridays, 1 to 2 p.m. ($59) Exercise helps maintain a healthy heart. Pilates enhances flexibility and builds lean muscle, strength and endurance; while strengthening core muscles to improve posture and balance. Strength training increases muscle mass, metabolism, and strengthens bones to support an active, healthy life! Bring your own mat; register at the front desk or call 410-313-5192 (voice/relay).

Women and Heart Disease Bain 50+ Center / February 8, 10 to 11 a.m. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States (CDC). During American Heart Month, join Nutritionist Kim Basinger to learn how heart disease affects women and get dietary tips to keep your heart healthy. Free; register now or call 410-313-7213 for more information.

Ofelia Ross Ott named acting administrator of the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services Director Jackie Scott has named Ofelia Ross Ott as acting administrator for OAI. "Ofelia has dedicated her career to serving older adults and our most vulnerable, and is deeply committed to the vision we’ve set forth for OAI, DCRS, and for our community," said Scott. Ross joined OAI in 2000, and most recently served as operations manager. "I am honored to serve the community in this new capacity," she said. "We will continue moving forward and exploring innovative service delivery to meet the needs of our growing older adult population and inspire greater equity in aging through advocacy and programming."

AARP income tax preparation at Howard County 50+ Centers February 1 - April 13 AARP and the IRS will offer free personal Federal and Maryland income tax preparation at 50+ Centers, by appointment only. All preparers and volunteers have received IRS-approved training and are certified in tax preparation. This service is available to middle- and low-income taxpayers with special emphasis on those 60 and older. Self-employment returns with more than $5,000 in expenses and complex returns are not eligible for this service. Each appointment is for one single or joint return. Bring Social Security cards for anyone listed on your personal return; 2021 state and federal tax returns; all 2022 tax records; and the purchase cost of investment transactions during 2022 (if any). Call 443-741-2373 to make a tax prep appointment at: Bain 50+ Center: Mon/Tues/Wed/Fri, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. E. Columbia 50+ Center: Tues, 2 to 6 p.m. & Thurs, 1 to 6 p.m. Elkridge 50+ Center: Wed, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ellicott City 50+ Center: Mon/Fri, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Glenwood 50+ Center: Mon/Thurs, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. N. Laurel 50+ Center: Tues/Thurs, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How to spot fake news February 16, 11 a.m. to noon Department of Community Resources & Services 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia 21046 In the digital age, anyone can publish anything on the internet. OAI's Digital Inclusion Specialist, Malarie Burgess will discuss the increase in the use of the term "fake news." Join her to learn about tools you can use to evaluate online sources and review popular fact-checking sites. Free; call 410-313-6542 (voice/relay) to register. How safe is your online data profile? Take our data privacy quiz to find out. Then, view three easy tips to enhance the security of your personal information. To learn more about OAI’s digital inclusion efforts or access additional resources, visit our website.

Don't miss the next virtual session of Powerful Tools for Caregivers on Mondays, February 27 - April 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Powerful Tools for Caregivers presents topics and self-care tools to help caregivers reduce personal stress and negative self-talk; communicate more effectively; manage emotions; make tough caregiving decisions; and better understand dementia. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your relaxation and exercise habits, boost your physical and mental well-being, and enjoy the support and company of other caregivers. Free; for more information or to register, contact Kathy Wehr, caregiver support program manager, at 410-313-5955 (voice/relay) or [email protected]

African American caregivers and their loved ones: the role of the heart Throughout U.S. history, the African American family has faced many hurdles in the race for equity and inclusion. Love was, and is, the key to bringing all of us together to fight injustice. Love is also the force and foundation that provides strength to caregivers of loved ones with incurable diseases or diagnoses, like heart failure (HF).  HF is an incurable, chronic condition that affects over six million American adults (American Heart Association Journal, 2020). Heart failure changes the structure of the heart so that it does not pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. African Americans are at a greater risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease (Age Wise King County, 2018). Many older adults with HF rely upon unpaid care and daily support from others; studies show that African American caregivers spend more hours providing care to their loved ones, and often have fewer resources and less money to purchase in-home care and assisted living services. Yet, like all caregivers, they play a critical role in maintaining the health and extending the life of older adults with HF. In February, as we recognize American Heart Month and Black History Month, let’s also show appreciation for those in our community who provide care for older adults diagnosed with HF. It is critical we support their need for self-care in the process. Visit our website to learn more about caregiver support and local resources. For more information, or to schedule a free Care Talk appointment at a center near you, contact Earnestine Thomas at [email protected] or call 410-313-5969 (voice/relay).

February is National Senior Independence Month Most older adults want to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. National Senior Independence Month highlights efforts that help them remain at home in a safe and supported environment, and empowers them to retain the quality of life that comes with independent living. The Office on Aging and Independence, Maryland Access Point of Howard County and the Community Living Program will offer a new series to share resources and demonstrate devices that can help older adults live an independent and full life in the community. Presentations are free and open to all. Call one of the centers, below, to register and request accommodations to participate, if needed. NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER • 410-313-0380 Wednesday, February 1 — 11 a.m. BAIN 50+ CENTER • 410-313-7213 Tuesday, February 7 — 1 p.m. ELKRIDGE 50+ CENTER • 410-313-5192 Wednesday, February 8 — 11:15 a.m. EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CENTER • 410-313-7680 Wednesday, February 15 — 1 p.m. GLENWOOD 50 CENTER • 410-313-5440 Tuesday, February 21 — 11 a.m. ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER • 410-313-1400 Thursday, February 23 — 11 a.m.

Landlord-tenant law: Know your rights & responsibilities As part of Maryland Libraries Together’s Career Success Month, the Howard County Library System will host the Office of Consumer Protection to inform county residents about their rights and responsibilities as tenants. The workshops will cover how to shop for a rental; leases, application fees, security deposits, and rent increases; what to do if you have a dispute with your landlord or face early termination and eviction; how to avoid rental scams, and more. For more information, call 410-313-6420 (voice/relay). Offered virtually in English and Korean via Meriwether Online Classroom; in-person in Spanish at the Howard County Library Central Branch. [Virtual, in English] January 30, 6 p.m. Register [Virtual, in Korean] February 6, 6 p.m. Register [Spanish, in person] February 13, 6 p.m. Central Branch Library. Register

Please attend! Saturday February 4 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. N. Laurel Community Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road Laurel, MD 20723 FREE Admission / Register

For more information about the Office on Aging & Independence and 50+ Center 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/50pluscenters.

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