Howard County Resource Guide 2018

6 H OWA R D C O U N T Y R E S O U R C E G U I D E 2 0 1 8 MESSAGE FROM... As Howard County’s population of residents age 50 and older steadily increases, we are constantly re-evaluating our programs, services and facilities to meet their changing needs.Capital projects aimed at this changing demographic include the recent expansion of the Loan Closet in the Long Reach Village Center, which offers Howard County residents greater access to durable medical equipment, and construction of a new Elkridge 50+ Center, which will open in Spring 2018, with more than twice the square footage and state- of-the-art technology. While new and improved facilities are a welcome addition to our community, it is equally important that older adults and those with disabilities have access to resources to help them update and modify their own homes to enable them to stay in their communities for as long as possible. Both the Aging in Place and Senior Tax Credit programs are designed to help longtime residents and military retirees remain in Howard County, while the Livable Homes Tax Credit and RENEW Howard offer tax relief or loans to help residents modify or renovate their homes so they can continue to live there safely. To share much needed information about these and other programs which help support successful aging in Howard County, I am pleased to join Howard County’s Department of Community Resources and Services and its Office on Aging and Independence to present the 2018 edition of our Resource Guide. This user-friendly, comprehensive publication provides up-to- date information about a wide range of resources, programs and services not just for older adults, but also for adults with disabilities and family caregivers. Keep a copy of the Resource Guide in a convenient place, share it with friends and family and refer to it often for assistance. If you are unable to find what you need, our team of information specialists at Maryland Access Point (MAP) can help with an even wider array of resources on a variety of topics. Contact a MAP counselor at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay), email map@howardcountymd.gov or call to arrange an in-person appointment at their offices or a Howard County 50+ Center near you. By working together to revitalize our neighborhoods and reinvest in our communities, we can help to ensure that Howard County continues to be a great place to live, work, play AND retire. My warmest regards, Allan H. Kittleman Howard County Executive The County Executive Allan H. Kittleman One of seven offices of the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS), the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) has long been a trusted source of information, services and support for Howard County’s older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers. In 2018, we are excited to announce that OAI and the other six DCRS offices will relocate to the Howard County Community Resources Campus, just off Snowden River Parkway on Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia.While our address will change, our commitment to the community remains as strong as ever.We are excited to announce that for the first time ever, county residents will be able to access resources and services for children, families, older adults, individuals with disabilities and veterans in one easily accessible location. For up-to-date information on the move, follow us at www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/aging. The 2018 Resource Guide contains valuable information for all county residents. It includes a comprehensive listing of services provided by the Office on Aging and Independence, as well as other Howard County, state and federal agencies, local businesses and non-profit partners. There are hundreds of listings to help you locate a 50+ center or recreational facility near you; identify local geriatric physicians, home care service providers and health care facilities; learn about tax credits and home modifications programs; identify transportation options; and much more. In addition to these listings, our staff at Maryland Access Point (MAP), our Aging & Disability Resource Center, remain available and ready to serve you. If you need further assistance for yourself, your spouse, or an aging relative,MAP’s Information Specialists follow a No-Wrong Door Approach to assess your needs, help you navigate the Resource Guide or refer you to the appropriate agency or service. Call 410-313-1234 (voice/ relay) or 1-844-627-5465 for assistance weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thanks to our continuing partnership with Custom Media Options and the support of our advertisers, the 2018 Resource Guide is provided to you at no charge. It is also available online at www.howardcountymd.gov/aging. If you have questions or suggestions for next year’s guide, contact MAP at 410-313-1234 or map@howardcountymd.gov . We would love to hear from you! Jackie Scott Director, Dept. of Community Resources and Services The Director of Department of Community Resources and Services Jackie Scott