News & Events for Older Adults in Howard County • December 2023

Celebrate the end of 2023 and welcome the new year Happy holidays from all of us at the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence! No matter which December holidays you observe, we hope your celebrations bring you and your loved ones joy and peace. Let's chat! In this month’s episode of DCRS’s HoCo Community Chat podcast. Director Jackie Scott focuses on the issues of homelessness, as we approach winter and commemorate Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on December 21. Jackie is joined by the administrator of the Office of Community Partnerships, Rose Burton, and others. Check it out on Buzzsprout or wherever you listen to your podcasts. To stay connected to OAI, read the December issue of the 50+ Connection and our 50+ Center newsletters. Subscribe now! 50+ Connection Bain 50+ Center East Columbia 50+ Center Elkridge 50+ Center Ellicott City 50+ Center Glenwood 50+ Center North Laurel 50+ Center

Ofelia Ross Ott, OAI Administrator, urges older adults to plan for their future December is a time for celebrations and holidays, and it's the perfect time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the new year. Whether you focus on your health, financial security or overall well-being, the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) can help you devleop a plan for the new year and years to come. Take the time to review and update your health insurance coverage; consider long-term care options; and make arrangements for medical needs that may arise. Finding a healthcare plan that suits your needs and your budget can be difficult, but our State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) team can help you navigate through available options. Remember, Medicare open enrollment ends December 7, so if you are still trying to determine which Medicare Part D plan is right for you, contact SHIP at 410-313-7392 today!  Another key component of future planning is financial security. Assess your retirement savings and investments, and consider additional income sources to support a comfortable lifestyle. Create a will or estate plan to protect and distribute your assets according to your wishes. Contact a Maryland Access Point (MAP) information specialist at 410-313-1234 to learn about your options. A thoughtful plan for the future can provide peace of mind and support a fulfilling lifestyle. Maintaining social connections and staying active in your community can enhance your overall quality of life as you age. Stop by one of OAI's 50+ Centers to find programs and activities to meet your interests.

Celebrate the joys of the season at 50+ Centers Share in the holiday spirit and spread some joy at Howard County's 50+ Centers. Visit a Center near you to shop for gifts, sing along to holiday favorites and join friends old and new for a festive and nutritious lunch or a special celebration. To plan your visit, view the December menus and check out the following events, highlighted by our Center directors.

Take advantage of our extended 50+ Center hours!

Holiday bazaar & book sale North Laurel 50+ Center December 1, 9 a.m. to noon / Free Get a jump start on your holiday shopping at North Laurel's annual holiday bazaar! Local vendors will offer gift options for sale, including hand-made jewelry, crafts, books, and other eclectic items. Howard Community College Senior Choir holiday concert Ellicott City 50+ Center / December 6, 10:30 a.m. / Register Enjoy a magical holiday season with our very own HCC Senior Choir! Join the choir as they sing holiday tunes that will be music to your ears. Holiday refreshments will be served. Seating is limited; registration is required. Free; register on ActiveNet.

Holiday book sale Glenwood 50+ Center December 5 - 8 / 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. / Register Join us for our annual holiday book sale, sponsored by the Western Howard County Senior Council. During the three-day sale, the lobby will be filled with a wide variety of lightly-loved books to browse and purchase. Free; register via ActiveNet.

Nostalgic toys December 13, 11 a.m. / Register Join Phil Lord for a nostalgic look at the toys of your childhood. Reminisce with pictures from old catalogs and collector sites, and see some of the special toys Phil has collected. Bring a vintage toy to show, or share an old photo or memories about a favorite toy you loved. Free; register on ActiveNet. Managing grief at the holidays December 19, 1 p.m. / Register The holidays can be emotionally challenging for those who have recently lost loved ones. Join an interactive discussion to help soften the impact of grief during this joyful, yet painful, time of year. A short film focuses on how to anticipate challenges and triggers; identify ways to cope; and plan ahead. Free; seating is limited.

Holiday sing-along and hot chocolate bar East Columbia 50+ Center / December 19, 3 p.m. / Register Join the staff of the East Columbia 50+ center for the second annual sing-along to drum up some holiday cheer! Enjoy the sounds of the season with Bing, Rosemary, Vera, and Danny, from the classic movie, “White Christmas.” No talent needed, just a willingness to have fun! A monetary donation is suggested. Registration is requested but not required.  Save the date! A Grand Day Out: Fizz, Pop, Boom! Ellicott City 50+ Center / January 22, 10:30 a.m. / Register Make special memories with your grandchildren during an "explosive" intergenerational program on a day off from school for Howard County Public School students. The Science Guys of Baltimore will perform more than a dozen experiments - bubbling potions, chemical reactions and more! Best suited for children aged 4-11, but all all ages are welcome. Cost: $5/person; includes a take-home activity and snack. Register on ActiveNet or call 410-313-1400 for more information.

Still time to support Project Holiday!   As we celebrate the season of giving, OAI's Project Holiday is wrapping up its 2023 initiative! We are still collecting new full size personal care and gift items for older adults who reside in assisted living facilities, nursing homes and in the community who would otherwise not receive a gift. Donations of new, unwrapped gift items will be accepted at 50+ Centers and other locations through December 6. Suggested items, monetary donation options and drop-off locations and hours can be found online or on the flier. Thank you for helping us spread holiday cheer in Howard County!

Grief during the holidays   Grieving the recent loss of a loved one is difficult and challenging at any time, but the holiday season can intensify your sense of loss and sorrow. Navigating the holidays may be rough; there are no right or wrong ways to cope. Grief isn’t good or bad, it’s a natural process, one that is deeply personal. Here are a few tips to navigate the holiday season: Focus on what you can control and how much you can handle. Create realistic expectations for yourself and your family. Focus on one day, one hour or even one minute at a time. Create a personal plan and decide if continuing holiday traditions with family and friends is possible. Sharing good memories with others (who may also be grieving) can help you recapture a sense of joy. Recognize what has worked for you in the past may not work this year. It’s okay to do something different, and equally important to let go of the guilt you may feel in doing so. Set aside some time for quiet reflection and healing, but remember that grief can be a lonely process, so don’t isolate yourself. You may need to tell others what you need and what they can do. For more information, local resources and support groups, visit https://bit.ly/EmotionalWellnessHoCo.

Living Well winter workshops Are you living with a chronic condition like arthritis, high blood pressure or diabetes? OAI's chronic disease self-management program, Living Well, offers free community-based workshops in small group settings to help adults learn how to better manage their ongoing health conditions. These programs are also encouraged for caregivers of individuals with chronic conditions. Here are the Living Well workshops coming up in early 2024:   Chronic disease self-management Six Tuesdays / January 2 to February 6 / 4 to 6:30 p.m. / Register Elkridge 50+ Center / 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, 21075 Email Heather Sites or call 410-313-3507 for more information. Free.   Diabetes self-management Six Wednesdays / February 21 to March 27 / 1 to 3:30 p.m. Park View at Columbia Apartments / 7070 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, 21045 Call 410-381-1118 to register. Free.

Helping caregivers cope during the holidays The holidays can be a joyful time to celebrate long time traditions with family and friends. Unfortunately, the holidays can be a difficult time for caregivers, particularly if they have family relationship conflicts. Caregivers may already be stressed while caring for a loved one; a holiday visit from extended family may cause additional frustration or even anger. It's important for caregivers to communicate with family members about their loved-one’s current condition and express the need for help. Here are some suggestions that could help caregivers deal with their family members during the holiday: If you are caring for an individual with a severe cognitive impairment, try writing a brief note to family members before a visit to describe your loved ones' condition. A note in advance can pave the way for better communication.  Recognize that not all family members are able to provide “hands-on caregiving.” Instead, ask them to make calls, organize bills and finances, etc. Hold a family meeting to discuss ways to share caregiving responsibilities.   As caregivers, recognize some family members are just not going to help. This may be difficult to accept, but you cannot change them, so don’t let them cause you more disappointment. Your goal is to enjoy the holidays! Let family member know in advance your limits regarding decorating, cooking, etc. It is ok to say “NO” without feeling guilty; sticking to a familiar schedule can limit stress.   Share your wish list with family members regarding your respite needs, help with household chores or home repairs. This lets them know how best to help. Maintain your self-esteem by reflecting on what you do as a caregiver. Your unique skills enable you to handle your responsibilities. Write a letter to yourself, keep a journal or connect with other caregivers. Remember to reward yourself!    OAI’s Caregiver Support Program is here for you, at each stage of your caregiver journey. Visit our website for more information or call 410-313-5955.

Review your plan during Medicare Open Enrollment through December 7   The Medicare open enrollment season is closing soon! Through December 7, Howard County's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you review, switch or enroll in a drug plan. Medicare beneficiaries of any age can schedule a drug plan review with SHIP. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your plan reviewed by a SHIP specialist. Appointments are available at the following 50+ centers:   Bain 50+ Center: Monday – Friday, during regular business hours Elkridge 50+ Center: December 1, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 410-313-7392. Changes made during open enrollment will take effect on January 1, 2024. SHIP also offers educational Medicare presentations; view the December schedule. Need further assistance? Call 410-313-7392 (voice/relay) for help with Medicare or to register for presentations.

Senior Planet presents: Shopping on Amazon December 6, 2 p.m./ Register Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia 21046 This hands-on workshop will provide a general introduction to shopping on Amazon. Learn how to search for products, compare prices and evaluate product reviews. Explore Amazon’s shipping options, and learn how to use the Amazon app on your smartphone and/or tablet. Free; registration required. Senior Planet presents: Graphic design tools December 12, 2 p.m. / Register Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Looking for a creative outlet? Try your hand at one of the free, user-friendly, web-based graphic design tools! We'll explore the popular design platform, Canva, and demonstrate how you can get very creative with basic tools like Google slides. We’ll also take a look at Photoshop Express, the web-based, free version of Photoshop. Free; register online at the Howard County Library System.

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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.