
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.
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 has been meeting since January 2020, initially at the Office on Aging and Independence, and virtually via Webex due to Covid-10 restrictions. Email agefriendly@howardcountymd.gov to share 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
3. 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.