Promoting healthy aging in Howard County

The goal of the Health and Wellness Division of the Howard County Office on Aging is to improve the health and quality of life for older adults and adults with disabilities living in Howard County.

To accomplish this goal, Health and Wellness offers innovative, accessible, and affordable programs and services at senior centers and other community locations; sponsors special events throughout the year; and coordinates ongoing health and wellness programs, including:

• APA Post-Stroke Exercise Program
• Exercise Counseling
• Living Well
• A Matter of Balance
• Enhance Fitness
• Nutrition Counseling
• SPRING Peer Support Groups
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Paws4Comfort

For more information on any of the above programs, please contact Maryland Access Point of Howard County (MAP) via Email or at 410-313-5980, or contact the Heath and Wellness Division.

Exercise Counseling...
Get moving and keep moving, with free consultations on an array of exercise-related topics including: getting started; using exercise to help manage health conditions; selecting the right exercise class; and personalized at-home programs. For more information, view the list of current class descriptions, our brochure, or contact Jennifer Lee, Exercise Specialist, through Maryland Access Point of Howard County (MAP), 410-313-5980.

Living Well: Take Charge of Your Health...
Living Well program is designed for those living with one or more chronic conditions. Developed by Stanford University, Living Well participants meet for 2 ½ hours once a week for six weeks. Lay leaders address topics such as: nutrition, physical activity, medication management, and goal setting.

If you are interested in attending a Living Well class, contact Wendy Farthing through Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or email MAP to inquire about upcoming sessions, or click here for a schedule.

A Matter of Balance...
A Matter of Balance is an effective fall prevention program for older adults developed by Boston University. The program meets for two hours once a week for eight weeks. Classes help participants learn to:
View falls - and the fear of falling - as controllable
Set realistic goals for increasing activity
Change their environment to reduce fall risk factors
Incorporate exercise into each day to increase strength and balance
For more information about A Matter of Balance, please call Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or email MAP.

Enhance Fitness...
Enhance Fitness is a fitness class that meets three times a week for one hour. Exercises are specially designed for the older adult, and have been proven to increase endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance. Included in the class are free fitness checks to help track personal performance and improvement. For more information about Enhance Fitness and locations, please call Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or email MAP.

Nutrition Counseling...
Nutrition Counseling, a free one–on–one nutrition assessment with a Registered Dietitian, is offered at Howard County senior centers by appointment. During each half-hour appointment, individuals will learn to:
Set personal goals
Develop healthy eating patterns and lifestyle changes
Learn how to manage the nutrition aspect of diseases/conditions
To schedule a nutrition assessment, contact your local senior center, call Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or email MAP.

SPRING Peer Support Groups...
The SPRING (Senior Peer Resources: Individuals, Networks & Groups) peer support program was created as an opportunity for older adults to both give and receive support. Programs and activities are designed to nurture interaction among older adult peers to foster a positive outlook, develop social networks, and support a thriving aging process.

SPRING Support Groups are a core element of the program, providing a safe, confidential environment for meeting others, sharing concerns, finding help, and staying stimulated. Other activities organized by the program include periodic luncheons, speaker engagements and special workshops. All SPRING activities are developed with sensitivity to sensory and mobility issues. View the SPRING brochure for more information.

Mental Health Programs
The Office on Aging provides mental health programming in a variety of ways. The “Ask Dr. Dan” series features discussions by Humanim's Dr. Dan Storch, a Psychiatrist certified in Geriatrics, and are offered at different senior centers over the course of a year. Dr. Storch leads discussions on a variety of emotional wellness topics, in a relaxed atmosphere where questions and feedback are encouraged.
Emotional wellness and mental health programming also include specialized group programs that cover topics like relationships, depression, and emotional well being. These programs are offered in senior centers or at other community locations for older adults.
Training on older adult mental health issues can be provided on request to community groups, professional or faith-based organizations. Available topics cover a broad spectrum of older adult and mental health concerns, and can be tailored to the requesting organization's needs.
For more information about SPRING programs and support groups, or other mental health programs, please contact Karen Hull, 410-313-7466 or email khull@howardcountymd.gov.

Volunteering

Interested in volunteering? The Office on Aging has many special events and ongoing opportunities for vounteers. Contact your local senior center, download and mail in a volunteer application HERE or contact us at 410-313-5956 for more information.

Paws4Comfort
Volunteer with your pet! Click here to view our brochure, or download an application. (Pets must be at least one year old, and must have lived with you for 6 months.) For more information, call or email Ingrid Gleysteen, 410-313-7461.

Contact us:
Health and Wellness Division
Starr Sowers, Manager
6751 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: 410-313-6536