News & Events for Older Adults in Howard County • March 2025

National Nutrition Month in March gives us the opportunity to learn how to make informed food choices and develop healthier eating and physical activity habits. The 2025 theme, “Food Connects Us,” also shows how sharing a meal with others enables us to explore different cultures and cuisines and share family recipes and seasonal traditions to expand our world. The Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) Let’s Do Lunch program is a great way for older adults to enjoy a nutritious meal while connecting with others at Howard County 50+ Centers to bridge cultural divides and learn more about one another and our traditions.

Read more about how food connects us in the March issue of OAI's newsletter, The 50+ Connection, and be sure to check out our March menus.

Collaborate: Attend a community listening session

Join Age-Friendly and OAI staff at a community listening session to share your thoughts, concerns, ideas and experiences to help shape a more Age-Friendly Howard County! All are welcome; registration is recommended but not required. Register now to attend a session on:

March 5, 11 a.m. – North Laurel 50+ Center
March 7, 10:30 a.m. – Bain 50+ Center
March 12, 1 p.m. – Glenwood 50+ Center
March 18, 10 a.m. – Elkridge 50+ Center
March 28, 1 p.m. – Ellicott City 50+ Center
April 8, 6 p.m. – 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive

To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations to participate, email Morgan Spliedt or call 410-313-5952 (voice/relay). If you are unable to attend, email your comments to agefriendly@howardcountymd.gov.

See what's happening in March at 50+ Centers

In addition to National Nutrition Month, in March we're celebrating National Women's History Month, St. Patrick's Day and National Consumer Protection Week at 50+ Centers. Check out the March 50+ Connection and the Centers' newsletters for ideas to stay informed, active and engaged all month long.

Here are some upcoming events highlighted by our 50+ Center directors:

Older woman in a pink shirt with a pile of books giving the ok sign

Books Galore: Reading, Fun and More

East Columbia 50+ Center

March 4, 2:30 p.m. / Register

Escape into the world of literature with us during a cozy afternoon filled with tantalizing book talk. Enjoy snacks while you find your next read.

Maximize Brain Health

Bain 50+ Center / March 11, 11 a.m. / Register

To promote brain health, it is important to manage health issues, exercise daily, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, continue learning and stay socially engaged. Join Kim Burton for an engaging discussion on brain health as we age.

Carroll County Cloggers

Ellicott City 50+ Center / March 13, 12:15 p.m. / Register

Join us for an hour of high stepping fun and music by the Carroll County Cloggers (CCC). Since 1979, CCC has kept Appalachian clogging alive by sharing their passion and educating the public about this American art form.

Women's History: Julia Child - Queen of Cuisine

Glenwood 50+ Center / March 19, 10 a.m. / Register

Mary Ann Jung pays tribute to Julia Childs' incredible energy, passion and sense of playfulness surrounding her greatest loves: her husband and her passion for cooking.

“Lucky” St. Patrick’s Day Theme on Broadway

Bain 50+ Center / March 20, 2 p.m. / Register

Join us for a "lucky" St. Patrick’s Day event as we commemorate the holiday and explore the theme of luck throughout the history of Broadway musicals.

Medicare Fraud Lunch and Learn

Elkridge 50+ Center / March 28, 11 a.m. / Register by March 25

Howard County's Senior Medicare Patrol will share information about trending scams and tips on how to detect, report and protect yourself from Medicare fraud and abuse. Meet County resource specialists, enjoy lunch and grab some giveaways and reference materials. View the flier for details.

Care Talks Group Discussion: Decluttering Tips

North Laurel 50+ Center / March 6, 10 a.m. / Register

Are you caring for a loved one? Join OAI's Caregiver Support Program and Visiting Angels for our March Care Talks group discussion. We'll cover caregiving topics and discuss services provided by the Caregiver Support Program. Light refreshments served. Sign up online or at the front desk. View the full schedule of Care Talks events.

Adult English Conversation Class

North Laurel 50+ Center | March 5 - May 28, 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. | Register

This is a great opportunity for adults to practice speaking English and meet new people. The classes are friendly and fun, helping you learn English in a relaxed setting. Improve your English conversation skills while connecting with others - all levels are welcome!

Living Well: Diabetes Self-Management (Spanish)

Elkridge 50+ Center / April 8 – May 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m. / Register

Offered in Spanish, this six-week diabetes disease self-management program (DSMP) is designed for people living with type 2 diabetes and/or their caregivers. Weekly 2.5 hour sessions cover topics like glucose monitoring, skin and foot care, appropriate exercise, nutrition, healthy eating and maintaining a balanced blood sugar. Email Heather Sites for more information or call 410-313-3507 (voice/relay).

AARP tax aide program photo of a man helping a woman do her taxes

AARP Income Tax Preparation is offered through April 15 at Howard County 50+ Centers. To set up a free tax prep appointment, call 410-741-2373 and leave a message with your name and which 50+ Center you would like to schedule an appointment at. A scheduler will call you back to confirm the date and time. To schedule an appointment online, visit the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Locator and enter your location in the search box.

An older African American woman comforts her husband.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

East Columbia 50+ Center

March 25, 1 p.m. / Register online or call 800-272-3900

Join us to learn how to recognize common signs of Alzheimer’s, how to approach someone about memory concerns, the importance of early detection and the benefits of a diagnosis. Light refreshments will be served. This Alzheimer's Association program is sponsored by the Howard County Commission on Aging.

Howard County Virtual 50+ Employment Expo

May 1, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. / Register

Are you age 50+ and looking for employment opportunities? Join us at the FREE Virtual 50+ Employment Expo, sponsored by OAI and the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) of Greater Washington. Job seekers can network with potential employers and learn about subjects relevant to your job search:

• Network with other jobseekers in Chat.

• Attend two virtual morning workshops on job search topics.

• Hear area employers talk about their organizations and openings.

• Ask the employers question in Chat.

Participating employers will discuss current full-time and part-time salaried job opportunities. Learn more about the employment expo and register to attend.

Just for Grandparents: The Grand Connection Series

Saturdays, March 1 - 22

10 - 11:30 a.m. | Register

Elkridge 50+ Center, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge 21075

Learn how to make the most of your time with your grandchild! Join the Office of Children and Families for the free Grand Connection Series to connect with other grandparents, share caregiving tips and explore the unique bond between grandparents and their grandchildren.

Celebrating 50 years of service to Howard County

The Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) is celebrating its golden anniversary this year, along with the creation of the original Office on Aging! Join the celebration at our East Columbia 50+ Center open house March 6 at 3 p.m. Explore the center’s engaging Thursday afternoon activities, including Tai Chi, Chess, Tasty Tidbits, Rock Steady Boxing, and Sip & Paint, enjoy light refreshments and tour the onsite Connections social day program. To learn more about upcoming 50th Anniversary events, visit DCRS' website.

National Consumer Protection Week is March 2 through 8 2025

Take the National Consumer Protection Week Survey

To celebrate National Consumer Protection Week, Howard County’s Advisory Board on Consumer Protection wants to hear from you! What are the consumer issues on your mind? Where should the Board or the Office of Consumer Protection focus its outreach and education efforts? How do you want to learn about our events and programs? Your survey responses will help us help you! For more information or questions about a consumer issue, call 410-313-6420 (English) or 410-313-3820 (Chinese, Korean or Spanish) or email consumer@howardcountymd.gov.

Take the Advisory Board survey

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.