December 2, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott L. Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will launch Age-Friendly Howard County on Tuesday, December 3 at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center in Columbia at 9:00 a.m. Howard County plans to join the AARP network of age-friendly states and communities, an affiliate of the World Health Organization. Achieving this designation requires focused efforts on making sure that Howard County is a great place to grow older and to grow up in a “livable” community.
“Over the last ten years, the average annual growth of our 65+ population has been nearly five times higher than our overall population and our student population according to Census data. Currently, 21 percent of Howard County residents are over 60 years old and in 25 years, this number will increase to nearly 30 percent,” said Ball. “Building an Age-Friendly Howard County is a long-term effort which will require a new way of working together: collaboration among residents of all ages, with a great deal of input from our older adults; and, businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, civic organizations, faith-based communities, and philanthropic groups. We are dedicated to serving our older adults through education opportunities, affordable living, a culture of wellness, and all the services needed and desired. The future of our community will be age-friendly, building on our strengths to provide the highest quality resources that enrich lives.”
Criteria to evaluate the health and quality of life of older adults include: Outdoor spaces and buildings, Transportation, Housing, Social participation, Respect and social inclusion, Civic participation and employment, Communication and information, and Community support and health services.
WHO:
Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive
Jackie Scott, Director, Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services
Jen Holz, Associate State Director of Outreach, Maryland AARP
Bruce Gartner, Administrator, Howard County Office of Transportation
Jeff Bronow, Chief, Division of Research, Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning
Jenna Crawley, Administrator, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence
Terri Hansen, Manager, Age-Friendly Division, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence
WHAT:
Age-Friendly Howard County
WHEN:
Tuesday, December 3, 9:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Room 4
10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, MD 21044