How age-friendly is Howard County?
An age-friendly community is safe and secure, has affordable and appropriate housing and transportation options, and offers supportive community features and services. A survey has been developed to solicit information and opinions from county residents. Adults of all ages are encouraged to take this survey and share the link with family, friends and neighbors! The button below will take you to the English version.
The Age-Friendly Survey is now available in four additional languages. Click on one of the following to take the survey online in:
Paper copies of the survey are also available in English, Chinese, Hindi, Korean and Spanish at the front desk of all Howard County 50+ centers. Completed surveys should be returned to the front desk or mailed to: Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046. The survey ends February 29, 2020.
What is the Howard County Age-Friendly Initiative?
In December 2019, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Office on Aging and Independence announced the launch of Age-Friendly Howard County, a three- to five-year plan to join the AARP network of age-friendly states and communities, an affiliate of the World Health Organization (WHO). Achieving this designation requires a focused effort to create a “livable” community which ensures that Howard County is a great place for all to grow up and grow older.
What makes a community age-friendly?
An age-friendly community respects everyone regardless of age or stage of life, and provides basic components that make it a safe place to grow old and grow up. Below are the eight domains of livability identified by AARP and the World Health Organization that help make a community age-friendly:
Get involved in Howard County's Age-Friendly Initiative:
1. Stay informed.
Visit this web page often for the latest news and information. While you are here, join our mailing list to receive notifications about Age-Friendly events and updates.
2. Join a workgroup.
A series of Age-Friendly workgroups will meet every two to four weeks from January through Fall 2020 at the Office on Aging and Independence, located at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia, MD 21046. Email agefriendly@howardcountymd.gov to volunteer for one or more of the following groups to express your opinions and share your expertise and knowledge about:
- Social Participation
- Community and Health Services
- Work and Civic Engagement
- Respect and Social Inclusion
- Transportation
- Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
- Communication and Information
- Housing
To more accurately represent the priorities of Howard County residents, an Age-Friendly survey has been developed and is open through February 29, 2020. Adults of all ages are encouraged to participate in the survey. Share the link with family, friends and neighbors in your community!
The survey may be completed online, but hard copies are also be available and can be completed at Howard County 50+ centers; community centers; and county offices (George Howard Building in Ellicott City). Spanish, Korean, Chinese (Mandarin) and Hindi versions are available as well (see links, above, or request a paper copy in your preferred language at a Howard County 50+ center near you.
4. Sign up for the Age-Friendly email contact list.
Sign up for our email contact list to receive updates and information about Age-Friendly Howard County events and more ways to be involved throughout the year.