Howard County, Maryland Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
11/21/2019

Lead Agency: Howard County's Age-Friendly Initiative

Government Agency

Action Plan Download

An action plan is based on the results of community surveys identifying needs within the 8 Domains of Livability that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. While there is flexibility in how a plan is created and what it will do, every action plan includes a statement about what can be achieved, target dates for goal completion, identification of participating organizations and indicators to measure progress. The action plan is an "active" rather than static document. Revisions and amendments are a sign of program improvement and progress.

Action Plan Highlights

  1. Outdoor Spaces

    Make outdoor spaces and buildings more age-friendly using universal design concepts in renovation and construction projects, and by adding outdoor exercise equipment, enhanced security and improved walkability.

  2. Health and Community Services

    Develop new or enhance existing programs with trained individuals to provide health advocacy and informal health outreach by recruiting community health workers from marginalized communities to provide peer-to-peer outreach, senior health coaches to provide follow-up care, and age-friendly ambassadors to help older adults navigate the health care system and find trusted sources of information.

  3. Communication and Information

    Publicize and support an Age-Friendly Ambassador program that will help people learn about countywide age-friendly programs and services using culturally affirming communication practices.

Progress Report Download

Since completing its age-friendly action plan, Howard County has worked to improve its parks, increase transportation options and combat ageism. The County upgraded four parks with universal design features, including age-friendly playgrounds. They also installed a fitness lot at a senior center, which features accessible exercise equipment. To help residents get around, the County allocated funding for multimodal pathways and bike lines and created a Complete Streets design manual. Other transportation achievements include expanding the County's fleet of buses and offering safe driving training for older adults. Additionally, Howard County's ageism awareness campaign won a USAging Innovation award in 2024.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Indian Cultural Association of Howard County Inc. (2021)

Howard County, MD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Many Howard County residents experience food insecurity. To provide non-perishable groceries to families in need, the Indian Cultural Association of Howard County set up five Little Free Pantries in the towns of Columbia, Ellicott City and Woodbine. Volunteers stock the pantries twice a week, and each operates on a give-and-take basis. In the first year after their installation, the pantries supplied more than 3,000 pounds of food to residents.

Empowering the Ages (2024)

Gaithersburg, MD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Digital navigation skills

Description: This project will provide older adults with one-on-one technology lessons. High school students will teach participants to complete online forms, access health portals and participate in telehealth appointments.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

See all nearby projects

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

Visit AARP.ORG/LIVABLE
people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

Check out the Livable Library
download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

Subscribe now!
mail icon

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Maryland State Office

200 St. Paul Place
Suite 2510
Baltimore, MD 21202
United States

Phone: 866-542-8163
Fax: 410-895-0269
Email: [email protected]