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: Monday, January 27, 3:00 p.m.
- Community and Health Services: Tuesday, January 28, 9:00 a.m.
- Work and Civic Engagement: Tuesday, January 28, 1:00 p.m.
- Respect and Social Inclusion: Wednesday, January 29, 9:00 a.m.
- Transportation: Wednesday, January 29, 3:00 p.m.
- Outdoor Spaces and Buildings: Thursday, January 30, 9:00 a.m.
- Communication and Information: Thursday, January 30, 1:00 p.m.
- Housing: Friday, January 31, 9:00 a.m. (will meet in 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive)
3. Take the Age-Friendly survey.
To more accurately represent the priorities of Howard County residents, a link to the Age-Friendly survey will be posted here on or before February 3. Adults of all ages are encouraged to participate in the survey and share the link with family, friends and neighbors in your community!
The survey may be completed online, but hard copies will also be made available in mid-February which 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 will be available as well.
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.