Create community and cultivate connections at the OAI Showcase!
The OAI Showcase will kick off Older Americans Month (OAM) on May 2. Aligning with the 2024 theme, Powered by Connection, Howard County recognizes the impact meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. Coordinated by the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI), the event activities will explore the vital role OAI plays to support older adults’ independence and ability to age in our community.
The keynote speaker is Susan Pinker, author of The Village Effect, who will address, “Why Social Contact Matters as We Age,” and discuss how face-to-face contact is crucial for learning, happiness, resilience, and longevity. The Showcase also features art and fitness classes; interactive workshops; live music and entertainment; food demos and mocktails; and more than 30 onsite exhibitors. Admission is free. Registration is required only for the keynote address, as seating is limited. Register now on Eventbrite.
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Event sponsors include The Beacon, Healthy Fresh Meals, eMerge, the Residences at Vantage Point, and Right at Home. The full event schedule and shuttle bus information will be posted on OAI's website.
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The new East Columbia 50+ Center is open!
Nearly 500 residents and visitors joined Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Office on Aging and Independence staff and community supporters to cut the ribbon on the new East Columbia 50+ Center. Located at 6610 Cradlerock Way, the 29,000 square foot facility is seven times larger than the previous center and features a commercial kitchen, large community meeting spaces, a fitness studio, and a technology hub for virtual programs. Come see it in person!
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Spring is here! In April, OAI is celebrating volunteers, occupational therapists (OTs) and Money Matters and Financial Security Month! To learn more and discover all that OAI's 50+ Centers have to offer, read the April issue of the 50+ Connection and our spring 50+ Center newsletters. Subscribe now or click below to view indivdual issues:
Check out these upcoming programs, highlighted by our 50+ Center directors:
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Solar Eclipse Watch Party
Glenwood 50+ Center | April 8, 2 p.m. | Register
A total solar eclipse will occur April 8 at 2:04 p.m. Join us to watch it safely outside the center. Protective eyewear and snacks provided. Free.
Retirement Communities: A panel discussion
Ellicott City 50+ Center | April 10, 1 p.m. | Register
Charlestown, Millers Grant, Fairhaven, Vantage Point, and Brightview Columbia: which one is best for you? Join the discussion to learn about amenities, activities, parking, meals, and more and get information in this one-stop shopping presentation. Free.
Classical Music Through the Ages
Bain 50+ Center | April 15, 11 a.m. | Register
Join Iris Music Project for a six-part exploration of chamber music, featuring musicians Mary Ann Perkel (cello) and Ruby Fulton (violin/composer). Sponsored by Candlelight Concert Society. Free.
Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s
East Columbia 50+ Center | Tuesdays or Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. | Begins April 16
Cost: $127 | Assessment required to register
This non-contact boxing program is designed to improve the mobility, balance and strength of people with Parkinson’s. It includes stretching, balance and strength training. Call the center to schedule an assessment at 410-313-7680 (voice/relay).
Bees and Beekeeping
Elkridge 50+ Center | April 18, 1 p.m. | Register
Join Tom and Joan Cain of Morning Choice Apiary to learn about honeybees and beekeeping and what goes on behind the scenes to care for these pollinators.
Register through ActiveNet or call 410-313-5192. Free.
Sunset Supper and Dance
North Laurel 50+ Center | May 13, 4:30 p.m. | Register
Bring your appetite and your dancing shoes for a fun evening, featuring dinner from Three Brothers Italian Restaurant and dance music by Rearview Mirror. Get your tickets before it sells out! Cost: $17.
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Introduction to Pickleball
North Laurel 50+ Center | April 18, 10:30 a.m. | Register
Register for an introductory pickleball course led by the Howard County Pickleball Association; includes demos and court time to practice your new skills. Cost: $19.
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April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day
Do you know which healthcare treatments you and your loved loved ones would and would not want if you couldn’t speak for yourselves? Do family members or others close to you know these preferences? National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) reminds us it is important to make these decisions known, regardless of age or current health. All Americans are encouraged to ensure their future healthcare choices are protected by creating an advance directive document.
On April 16, Maryland Access Point specialists will be at the Glenwood 50+ Center from 10 a.m. to noon with information and resources to promote NHDD. Stop by to pick up a free copy of Five Wishes, an advance directive document, (a $6 value).
Listen in to learn more
The April HoCoCommunity Chat podcast includes a discussion of NHDD and advance directives; for more information listen in on Buzzsprout or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Property Tax Credits: Do you qualify?
Want to learn more about Howard County's Property Tax programs, and find out if you qualify? Resource specialists from Maryland Access Point (MAP), the information and assistance arm of the Office on Aging and Independence, will be available at 50+ Centers to assist residents with applications for property tax credit programs. Taxpayers can view the full list of tax credit programs, applications, and requirements online. Information sessions will be held:
- April 8, 11 a.m. | Bain 50+ Center (Korean)
- April 9, 11 a.m. | Bain 50+ Center (English)
- May 9, 11 a.m. | Glenwood 50+ Center
- May 22,11 a.m. | Elkridge 50+ Center
MAP specialists will also provide onsite eligibility screening and application guidance on:
- April 10, noon to 1 p.m. | Ellicott City 50+ Center (main building)
- April 16, 9 to 10 a.m. | Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center
MAP Resource Specialists are not tax or financial professionals. Specialists are available by phone at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In person appointments are available at MAP's offices in Columbia, at the Loan Closet and at 50+ Centers. Call in advance to schedule an appointment; no walk-ins for this service.
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It's Occupational Therapy Month: Meet OAI's Occupational Therapists
Pictured above, from left, Vanessa Hughes Arndt; Carling Shilling; Anna Scott; Andrea Bryant; Margaret Fries; and Felicia Stein. Happy OT Month to all!
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Occupational Therapy (OT) practitioners make a huge difference every day at the OAI. In fact, OTs have played a key role in the delivery of services to Howard County residents for over 30 years, helping to plan and implement community-based services for older adults. These include home modifications and aging in place services, Maryland Access Point referrals, and social day programs. Meet OAI's OTs, who enable people of all ages to participate in daily living:
Felicia Stein, COTA/L, has been with OAI since she was a student in 1994. As director of the Connections Social Day Program, she promotes socialization among clients and provides respite for their caregivers. She also mentors students in the process of becoming certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA) as well as OTs.
Vanessa (Hughes) Arndt, COTA/L, has been with OAI since she was a student in 2001. She now manages the Supportive Services for Older Adults Program, influencing the development of OAI services through her OT lens. For the past five years, Vanessa has served as the Ambassador for the State of Maryland on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, advocating for community-based OT Models which support aging in the community.
Andrea Bryant, COTA/L, joined OAI in 2011, and has since expanded her areas of expertise to include home modifications, cognitive screenings and education for Community Living Program clients. Andrea is a certified aging in place specialist.
Margaret Fries, COTA/L, began working in OAI's social day program in 2014. She provides information and assistance to the Maryland Access Point (MAP) team, offering options counseling resources and support for clients and caregivers. Margaret is also a certified aging in place specialist.
Anna Scott, OTD, a former student with the Community Living Program, is now learning to integrate her OT skills in the role of case manager as part of the Supportive Services for Older Adults Program. She recently passed her national certification to become a licensed therapist with a doctorate in OT.
Carly Shilling, OT, joined OAI in 2008, and now manages the Community Living Program, working individually with clients and programmatically through Synergy and Age-Friendly Workgroups. As an advocate for OT and home modifications services, Carly helps support her clients' cognitive function skills, and also mentors OT students. She sums up the OTs role in OAI by saying, "We are fortunate to work in a supportive environment that values the impact OT makes in the Howard County community."
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Senior Planet presents: Protecting personal information online
Gary J. Arthur Community Center | April 24, 10 a.m. | Register
Learn the ins and outs of protecting your personal information online, including tips to stay safe in cyberspace, safe browsing, how to recognize online scams, and when it’s OK — or not OK — to share your personal information online. Free; registration is requested.
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In the News & Beyond Group
Bain 50+ Center | Mondays, beginning April 8, 10 to 11:30 a.m. | Register
SeniorsTogether's new discussion group, “In the News & Beyond” meets each week in a safe, non-confrontational setting to stimulate discussions on topics from local and national news outlets, arts/entertainment and sports. Richard Rosenblatt, facilitates the group. For more information, contact Karen Hull at 410-313-7466 or [email protected].
Awakening: Leaning into the Power & Passion of Our Life Stories
Bain 50+ Center | May 1, 8, 15, 22 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (virtual) | Final session in-person on May 29 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. | Free | Register
Dive deep into your life story to create a mixed-media visual art piece, using found art, fabrics, two dimensional objects, and other embellishments. Vanita Leatherwood, M.A., Transformative Language Arts Practitioner, facilitates guided reflection using music, television clips, sharing with others, and expressive writing to create poetry. Materials provided. For details, contact Karen Hull at 410-313-7466 or [email protected].
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Howard County's first Age-Friendly Outdoor Fitness Lot
Centennial Park North | 9801 Old Annapolis Road | Ellicott City, 21042
Join OAI and County Executive Calvin Ball for the ribbon cutting of Howard County's first Age-Friendly Outdoor Fitness Lot. Connect with others and improve your health while enjoying one of Howard County's ADA-accessible parks. Featuring state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment, the outdoor fitness lot adds to the recreational opportunities available at Centennial Park North, and is an important step toward creating a healthy Howard County for all ages and abilities!
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Don't miss these Money Matters Month events: |
2024 Landlord-Tenant Conference
April 27, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Howard Community College
Duncan Hall | 6040 Scholarship Drive, Columbia 21044
Presented by the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) during Money Matters Month, the conference will help attendees navigate the landlord-tenant relationship. County Executive Calvin Ball will offer welcome remarks, followed by information sessions led by industry experts and community partners. Topics include lease agreements, rental licensing requirements, discrimination issues, financial readiness for renting, and more. Free, breakfast provided. Register now to attend.
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Safely Plan, Budget and Execute Your Next Home Improvement Project
April 10, 7:00 p.m. | East Columbia Library, Marvin Thomas Room | 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21044 | Email OCP to register
From negotiating with contractors to obtaining proper permits and licenses, there's a lot that goes into major home improvement projects. The OCP will host a panel of experts to discuss every step of the process and provide helpful advice. Free.
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May 11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Howard County Office on Aging and Independence
9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia 21046 | $175 | Register
OAI presents a one-day seminar for social workers, CNAs, GNAs, activity professionals, occupational and physical therapists, in-home care providers and others to take a step toward receiving a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) certification. To receive credit, you must attend the full 7.5 hours of training. For more information or to register, contact Kathy Wehr at 410-313-5955 or [email protected]. View the flier for details.
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For more information about Office on Aging & Independence programs, visit our website or follow us on social media @HoCoCommunity. If you need assistance, contact Maryland Access Point of Howard County at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/map.
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