ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced today Howard County has joined the Dementia Friendly America (DFA) network. The Dementia Friendly initiative brings together government agencies, clinical providers, community-based organizations, and individuals living with dementia and their care partners to build a more inclusive and supportive community. Photos from the event can be found on the Howard County Government's Flickr webpage.
Dementia is not just a diagnosis. It is a daily reality that touches lives, families, and entire communities. Across our nation, more than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number continues to grow. Right here in Maryland, and in Howard County, that impact is being felt in households, in workplaces, and in our community every single day. Becoming part of the DFA network positions Howard County as a leader in how local governments respond to one of the fastest-growing public health challenges of our time. We will measure our progress, listen to our residents, and continue to adapt and improve. In Howard County, we are building a community that remembers, supports, and cares, not just overall, but for all.
Key partners include local government, law enforcement and first responders, faith communities, community organizations, and residential and community service providers. Together, they will work to ensure residents affected by dementia have access to coordinated, compassionate, and comprehensive support.
In 2019, Ball launched Howard County’s Age-Friendly Howard County initiative to create a more livable community where residents feel supported, safe and engaged as they move through their older years. Since then, the County has implemented several action plans including: opening a newly renovated East Columbia 50+ Center, introducing the first Age-Friendly Fitness Lot at Centennial Park North, implementing a 24/7 caregiver resource through the online portal Trualta and developing new age-friendly communications guidelines to enhance user-friendliness, decrease ageist and ableist language. In February, AARP formally approved Howard County’s Age-Friedly Action Plan 2025-2029, which outlined nearly 50 recommendations designed to improve quality of life for residents of all ages.
Joining the Dementia Friendly Network expands access to direct services, community programming, professional training, and strategic partnerships. In addition to dementia-related services already offered through the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OAI), the plan enhances navigation tools, educational materials, and access to screenings and resources. It also establishes a Dementia Advisory Committee and a programming continuum designed to support residents in early-, mid-, and late-stage dementia, while strengthening connections to caregiver supports and respite options.
Becoming a Dementia Friendly community reflects our commitment to ensuring that every resident feels valued, understood, and supported. This initiative strengthens our ability to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals living with dementia can remain engaged in community life, and where caregivers have the guidance, education, and support they need throughout every stage of the journey. By working across sectors, we are building a community that responds with compassion, dignity, and practical solutions.
The Alzheimer's Association Greater Maryland Chapter will serve as a Champion Organization for Howard County’s initiative, providing subject matter expertise and supporting stakeholder engagement.
“We are confident that Howard County will successfully increase dementia awareness, reduce stigma, and expand access to high-quality dementia-friendly resources, education, and support,” said Kristi Mroz, Program Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Maryland. “These efforts are essential to fostering a community where people living with dementia and their care partners are respected, supported, and able to live meaningful, engaged lives.”
The Alzheimer’s Association is also supporting the relaunch of OAI’s Kindred Spirits Program, an early-stage peer social club that promotes social connection and sustained community involvement following diagnosis.
The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence will coordinate and implement the initiative, convening cross-sector partners and leading planning, implementation, and sustainability efforts in alignment with the County’s Age-Friendly Action Plan 2025–2029.
For more information about Howard County’s Dementia Friendly initiative, please contact the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence at 410-313-6537 (voice/relay).