Aging & Independence

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

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 are to:

Decrease social isolation and increase social connection.
Expand ethnic & cultural diversity across programs & services.
Promote healthy aging.

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

Our Programs and Services

Older adult fills in paperwork with help from worker

Information & Assistance

Information and assistance for residents to help plan for their immediate and future needs.

#HocoAging Events and Activities

Group Of Retired Seniors Attending Art Class In Community Centre With Teacher

50+ Centers

Pursue an active and vital lifestyle through the many offerings at Howard County’s 50+ Centers.

Age-Friendly Howard County

Age-Friendly Howard County seeks to create a livable community where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and engaged.

Women buys lunch for older adult in wheelchair

Aging in Place

Supportive care options for older adults and those who care for them to support Aging in Place.

Aerial view of housing suburb during fall

Housing Resources

Housing information for independent living, assisted living, nursing homes, and community-based services and supports.

Elder Abuse Prevention & Awareness

Information and resources on elder fraud and abuse prevention.

Older adult couple with community service worker

Medicare Information and Counseling

Learn about what our Certified Medicare Counselors can do for you.

Digital quity image of older adults using laptops

Digital Education

Programs and services that pave the way for digital education and inclusion.

Health, Fitness & Wellness

A range of services to promote physical, mental, and social well-being

Nutrition

Nutrition services to promote healthy aging and enhance the quality of life for older adults and adults with disabilities.

man and woman exercise lifting dumbbell in fitness gym

50+ Fitness

Find out more information about 50+ fitness with #HocoAging

Commission on Aging

The Howard County Commission on Aging is a volunteer advisory board to the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence.

Portrait of a Happy Helpful Black Female Volunteer

Volunteer with #HoCoAging

Learn about volunteer opportunities with the Department of Aging & Independence.

Our Publications and Newsletters

Resource Guide 2024

View the Resource Guide for Older Adults, Persons with Disabilities and Caregivers

OAI 2023 Highlights

OAI is the regional leader in innovative programs and services that promotes independence, respect and dignity for older adults and adults with disabilities. Click here for our 2023 highlights

OAI Digital Newsletter

A free monthly newsletter from the Office on Aging and Independence, distributed via Constant Contact to subscribers.

50+ Connection

Monthly newsletter of the Howard County Office on Aging & Independence, published in the Howard County edition of The Beacon.

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, sign up here.

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! Five of the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) 50+ Centers offer lunch on various days of the week – Bain, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Glenwood, and North Laurel. For more information, view the current menus.

View the October menus

Coming Events

Events

There are no events currently scheduled at this time.

DCRS Information/Event Request Form

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Community Resources and Services participating in and/or speaking at your event. To make a request, please complete and submit the following form at least two weeks prior to the event, and allow five business days for decisions to be made.