About Us

The Office on Aging & Independence serves as Howard County’s premier resource for dynamic, quality of life programs, services and supports for all ages of adulthood.

Mission & Priorities

OAI's mission is to ensure that Howard County older adults and persons with disabilities have the resources they need to grow, thrive, and live with dignity, by improving access to services and supports, promoting individual choice, and enhancing efficiency and quality of services.

Our priorities:

  • Decrease Social Isolation and Increase Social Connectedness
  • Expand Ethnic & Cultural Diversity Across Programs & Services
  • Promote Healthy Aging

Register for classes at the 50+ Centers

Call the DCRS Emergency Status Hotline for information about closings or delays, at 410-313-7777.

 

Aging Unbound graphic

2024-2028 Area Plan

Help the Office on Aging and Independence identify programs and services needed by older adults in Howard County. Share your feedback by taking a brief survey. (Available in English, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.)

HELP US SERVE YOU BETTER

Join us for Lunch at 50+ Centers

Join us for a meal at a Howard County 50+ Center to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, celebrate a birthday or just enjoy a nutritious lunch! Four of the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) 50+ Centers now offer lunch on various days of the week – Bain, Ellicott City, Elkridge and North Laurel. For more information, view the current monthly menu.

Let's Do Lunch logo with a knife and form inside a yellow circle

2023 Howard County Resource Guide for Older Adults, Persons with Disabilities and Caregivers is Now Available!

2023 Resource Guide
Programs & Resources
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Information & Assistance
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Maryland Access Point (MAP) of Howard County is the gateway for information and assistance for older adults, persons with disabilities, family members and caregivers who need or want to plan for future needs.   

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50+ Centers
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Pursue an active and vital lifestyle through the many offerings at Howard County’s 50+ Centers. Centers offer a wide variety of programs and services including fitness programs, educational opportunities in the arts and humanities; wellness classes and many opportunities for social and recreational activities.

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Age-Friendly Howard County
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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.  Click to view more information and the eight domains of livability identified by AARP and the World Health Organization that help make a community age-friendly.

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Care Options
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A range of services to assist older adults to remain independent in the community with support.

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Digital Inclusion & Senior Planet
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The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) is paving the way for a more digitally inclusive Howard County.

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Health Promotion & Nutrition Services
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Improving the health and quality of life for older adults and persons with disabilities through a variety of programs and services including exercise, fitness and nutrition programs, wellness classes and evidence-based programs. 

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Housing Options
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Older adult housing options are numerous, and include independent living communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. MAP can assist you in navigating all the housing options available and determine those that are most appropriate for you or your loved one. 

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Additional Programs & Services
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Learn about a variety of programs and services that support healthy aging in the community. 

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Publications & Reports
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Subscribe to the latest publications, reports and plans for the Office on Aging and Independence, including OAI's digital newsletter, distributed via Constant Contact, and the 50+ Connection, published monthly in the Howard County Beacon..

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Volunteer Opportunities
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Various opportunities to engage with your community.

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Drive DeVilbiss and Essential Medical Supply Bed Rail Recalls
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Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Recalls Bed Assist Handles and Rails

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare has announced the recall of four different models of its Bed Assist Handles and Rail. The four recalled models are:

  • Model 15064, Bed Assist Handle
  • Model 15062, Bed Assist Rail with Folding Board
  • Model RTL15073, Home Bed Assist Handle (adjustable)
  • Model RTL15063-ADJ, Home Bed Assist Handle (adjustable)

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled items and contact Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare to receive a full refund. Contact Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare at. 877-467-3099 or click here for more information. 

Essential Medical Supply Inc. Recalls Adult Portable Bed Rails Due to Entrapment and Asphyxia Hazard

Essential Medical Supply Inc. announced the recall of four models of the company’s Endurance Hand Bed Rails, including the Hand Bed Rail (model P1410), Hand Bed Rail with Pouch (model P1410-P), Hand Bed Rail with Floor Support (model P1411), and Hand Bed Rail with Floor Support with Pouch (model P1411-P). 

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled items. For information about refunds, contact Essential Medical Supply toll-free at 888-856-0111 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit essentialmedicalsupply.com and click on “Important Safety Notice” at the top of the page. Or, go to https://essentialmedicalsupply.com/products/recalls. More details can be found in the recall notification.

If you have any questions regarding these notices, you may contact Maryland Access Point, Howard County at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) or email [email protected].

 

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Community Engagement and Outreach Request
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If you would like to request the Office on Aging and Independence to provide a presentation or participate in a community event, please click here to complete the request form .  Please submit the request form at least 2 weeks prior to the event, and allow 3-5 business days for decisions to be made.

Commission on Aging

The Howard County Commission on Aging is a 15-member volunteer advisory board to the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence. The Commission accomplishes its work through the activities of task forces and committees, researches legislation at the county and state level that impacts the health and wellbeing of older adults and their families, and provides testimony when appropriate. Commissioners are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council for three-year terms. They represent diverse professional backgrounds, various age and ethnic groups, and many geographic areas of the county.

Learn More

988: The New Way to Connect to Behavioral Health Crisis Services

Maryland has a new way to connect to local behavioral health crisis services. 

Calling 988 will connect callers directly to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline which encompasses all behavioral crisis services, to include all mental health and substance use (problems with drug and alcohol use).

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline replaces the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline AND expands services to cover all behavioral health crisis services.

Learn more about 988 in Maryland

988
 

Newsletter Sign-Up

Get email updates on 50+ center activities, health and wellness programs, virtual and in-person classes and other services from the Office on Aging and Independence.

Team

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Ofelia Ross Ott
Acting Administrator
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Terri Hansen
Age-Friendly Manager
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Courtney Barkley
Health Promotion and Nutrition Division Manager
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Peters Omoregie
Home and Community Based Services Division Manager
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Matt Madera
50+ Center Division Manager

Stay Connected!

Sign up for the County Executive's weekly newsletter and stay up to date on everything Howard County.
 

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