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NEWS RELEASE

October 3, 2008

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50+EXPO Offers Hot Topics to Promote an Active, Healthy Lifestyle

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Ever wonder if joint replacement is right for you; why men and women have different heart disease symptoms; what you can do to keep your brain active and alert; or what life without chronic back pain would be like? Find out when you visit Howard County’s 50+EXPO 2008 on Friday, October 17 from 9 am to 4 pm at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road in Columbia. The premier event for the age-50-and-over population is back for a 10th consecutive year and free to the public.

Since research shows that people who are engaged in healthy relationships live healthier lives, the EXPO is pleased to present its first-ever “Speed Dating.” If you are single, looking for a friend or companion, visit the “Speed Dating” booth and sign up for one of two sessions: ages 50-65 from 10 to 11 a.m., and age 65 and over from 11 a.m. to noon.

The “Hop into Health” area offers opportunities to “ask the pharmacist”; meet with lifestyle and exercise coaches; or learn more about support groups and “Food for Life.” There will also be screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, hearing, vision, strength and balance, to name a few.

Howard County General and St. Agnes Hospitals will host two speaker’s series on these topics: heart disease, joint replacement, incontinence, back pain, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, the emotional battle of breast cancer, and what you need to know about strokes.

Again this year, flu and pneumonia vaccinations will be available to those aged 50 years and older and persons under the age of 50 with underlying chronic medical conditions. If you are under 50, you must bring a doctor’s note or prescription bottles to verify qualifying

medical conditions. The cost of the flu vaccination is $25 per injection and the pneumonia vaccine cost $30 per injection; both vaccines are free to those who participate in Medicare Part B (recipients must show Medicare Card for free vaccine.)

There will also be daylong entertainment, 140+ exhibitors, consumer workshops, great food in the 50+CAFÉ, and free shuttle service from the Mall in Columbia.

For more information, call the 50+EXPO hotline at 410-313-6410 or TTY: 410-313-5927. You can also visit the county’s website at www.howardcountymd.gov and look under “What’s New.” Sign language interpreters are available for persons with hearing impairments, but requests must be received by October 10 by calling MD Access Point of Howard County at 410-313-5980 or TTY 410-313-5927.