Upcoming Programs for 55 Years + Recreation &

Fitness

• Info/Fitness Waiver: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

First Step Fitness

with Pamela Schuckman, ACE-CPT, GFI

Are you an Active Aging participant looking to return to a fitness program after illness or injury? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to start a fitness program, but traditional gyms make you feel a little shy? This class helps you take the first steps towards realizing your fitness goals while having fun and building confidence. Focus on core strength, balance, and flexibility while learning proper body mechanics and ways to modify or progress exercises. This class has two goals; to help each person get back to fitness, and to have fun while doing it. You should be able to get up and down from the floor, either independently or with a chair to assist.

Crafts & Fine Arts

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Stained Glass Panel Workshop

This class is appropriate for all skill levels. Make a 6-8-piece stained glass hanging using the copper foil technique. Learn to score, cut, foil, and solder stained glass pieces into a finished hanging. Develop and practice skills needed to score and break glass. (Once you have taken this class, try your hand at more advanced pieces in the below two-day workshop!) Supplies provided.

55 yrs +Instructor: Maureen StoneClasses: 1

RP3536.401N Laurel CCJul 1011am-3pmM$89

Dance

• Info: Tessa Hurd , 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Beginner/Intermediate Soul Line Dance

This beginner/intermediate level line dance class is fun for all. Line up and learn the step-by-step choreography. Line dancing provides such a good mix of balance, strength, endurance, and cognitive training while having fun. Multiple dances are performed to great pop, rhythm, and blues music.

55 yrs +Harriet Tubman CtrInstructor: Jessie BarnesClasses: 1

RP3511.405Jul 511am-noonW$12

RP3511.406Jul 1211am-noonW$12

RP3511.407Jul 1911am-noonW$12

RP3511.408Jul 2611am-noonW$12

55 yrs +Classes 12

RP3544.401Roger Carter CCJul 119:30-10:30amTu,Th$90

Fitness for Life with Lori Nowicki, ACE, AFPA

Designed for active adults. This class encompasses a warmup, balance work, cardio and strength training with Keiser and Precor equipment. Free weights are optional. A cool down with a complete stretch ends each class. You should be able to get up and down from the floor.

55 yrs +Classes: 14No class 5/29

RP8666.401N Laurel CCJul 1011am-12:15pmM,W$99

RP8666.402Roger Carter CCJul 1112:15-1:30pmTu,Th$99

Yoga in the Park- Pop Ups with Kathy Greisman

Relax while you take in the sights and surrounding beauty of nature as you get fit and improve your health in this outdoor yoga class. All classes are held under the tent at the beautiful Belmont Manor. Walk away feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the day that lies ahead. Join us for the classes that fit your schedule.

55 yrs +Classes: 1

RP3541.407BelmontJul 1710-11amM$14

RP3541.408BelmontJul 2410-11amM$14

RP3541.409BelmontJul 3110-11amM$14

Lifelong Learning

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Social Media: How I Can Use It

Learn how to get more use out of your mobile devices (ex: smartphone, laptop or iPad) and how to receive important information automatically (ex: weather alerts). Find out how you can become more connected with your grandchildren and friends through social media. Bring your smart phone, laptop or tablet.

55 yrs +Instructor: Constance LoweClasses: 1

RP3523.401N Laurel CCJul 121-2pmW$25

Speaker Series

• Info: Stephanie Kennedy, 410-313-0422 r skennedylarosa@howardcountymd.gov.

NEW! The Railroad Becomes a Battlefield

Commemorate the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy with a special Civil War History tour of the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum. Learn about the vital role that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad played during the Civil War and how the Civil War came to Ellicott’s Mills.

All agesB&O EC Station MuseumClasses: 1

RP9975.401Jul 92:30-3:30pmSu$15

Sports & Leagues

• For info, visit www.hcrpsports.org.

• Sign up for the following programs has begun!

AquaticsFencingMartial ArtsSquash

BadmintonField HockeyPickleballSoccer

BaseballFootballJump RopeTennis

BasketballGolfPickleballTennis

BilliardsKickballSoftballVolleyball

CricketLacrosseSpikeballTherapeutic Rec

• Info: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or tadkins@howardcountymd.gov.

MGM Grand Casino and National Market

The MGM Grand Casino at National Harbor is a Las Vegas-style luxury facility just south of Washington, D.C. Try your luck at the ultimate casino and gaming experience! Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many award-winning restaurants nearby or shop several of the boutique venues.

21 yrs +Bus provided RP4548.401Jul 149am-3pmF$69

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Delve into the fascinating story of our planet, from its fiery beginnings through billions of years of transformation, and explore life on Earth through exhibitions and activities, collection objects and research that happens in the lab and in the field. The museum is larger than 18 football fields and is home to the largest natural history collection in the world.Lunch on your own available at Café Natural on-site.

18 yrs +Bus provided RP4549.401Jul 209:30am-4:30pmTh$69

Ladew Topiary Gardens

Visit one of the top five gardens in North America! Enjoy Ladew’s 22 acres, featuring 15 formal “garden rooms” and more than 100 larger-than-life topiary forms, historic Manor House, Nature Walk, and Butterfly House! Enjoy your own picnic lunch.

21 yrs +Bus provided RP4550.401Jul 219am-3pmF$79

Vacationland – Discover Maine!

Travelers immerse themselves in beautiful New England fall colors on this 5-day/4-night exciting escape to Maine. Visit the Portland Head Light and Victoria Mansion. You view the boyhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the restored Old Port Exchange, and have a breathtaking view of Casco Bay as you relax and take a narrated cruise through Calendar Islands. Along your travels, you see quaint towns of Brunswick, Bath, and Wiscasset before arriving to the Boothbay Harbor area to enjoy shopping, exploration, unique gifts, antiques, art galleries, and amazing food! After enjoying lunch at a waterfront café, the trip stops at L.L. Bean and Factory Outlets in Freeport and the Nubble Lighthouse, before you enjoy a delicious lobster bake dinner. Finally, the group has the opportunity to tour Kennebunkport, which includes Walker’s Point – the Bush family compound. Kennebunkport is filled with art galleries, craft shops, restored mansions, and historic boutiques. Trip includes round-trip deluxe charter coach, four nights lodging, four breakfasts, three dinners, a lobster bake dinner, and tours of several amazing locations!

21 yrs +Sep 25-29Bus provided RP4561.501Single OccupancyM-F$1,459

RP4561.502Double OccupancyM-F$1,079

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/hcrptrips for more trips & tours!

Volume 13, No. 6 • June 2023

PROTECT Week aims to curb financial exploitation of elders

Your computer has a virus. You owe money to the IRS. Your grandchild is in trouble halfway across the world and needs cash. Nearly everyone has gotten a scam call like this—and we keep getting them because they work.

— Steve Lewis, Inside the FBI podcast

Each year, millions of older Americans fall victim to some type of financial fraud, including tech support, romance, lottery, and sweepstakes scams. In 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported $3.1 billion in elder fraud losses, an 84% increase from 2021.

Identity thieves and con artists target older adults who often have financial savings, own a home and have good credit—which makes them attractive to scammers (bit.ly/FBI-elderfraud). Unfortunately, they are also less likely to file a report because they either don’t know how, are ashamed at having been scammed or concerned that relatives will lose confidence in their abilities to manage their own financial affairs.

While one in five adults over age 65 has been a victim of identity thieves and con artists, even more are exploited by family members, friends or caregivers. “Financial exploitation is the most common type of elder abuse that I see,” says Katy Lee, manager of the Office on Aging and Independence’s (OAI) Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. “This type of abuse occurs when a family member or trusted representative misuses a power of attorney; once authorized to pay the bills, they may try to take money for themselves. This can escalate to claims that their loved one can no longer make decisions for themselves, to gain further control.”

PROTECT Week, June 12-16, is a statewide education and awareness campaign led by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to combat the financial exploitation of older adults. Each year, OAI, the Office of Consumer Protection, and other government agencies join the OAG, AARP and consumer protection groups to share information about the warning signs of financial abuse. These include a caregiver or family member who suddenly asks for access to a loved one’s accounts or possessions, changes in financial practices such as new credit cards or unopened bank statements, and a financial agent who isn’t following a loved one’s wishes.

The OAG has also produced a Consumer Guide for Marylanders to educate consumers about common scams and fraud, and whom to contact if you suspect you are a victim. Read it online or request a free copy by calling 410-576-6500 or toll-free 1-888-743-0023.

In Howard County, we remain dedicated to providing access to quality care for our aging population. Since becoming an Age-Friendly community in 2019, our team has committed resources to ensure older adults can enjoy where they live and thrive. The comprehensive Howard County Age-Friendly Action Plan includes improving housing options, expanding social services and providing more options for our residents who are aging in place.

My Fiscal Year 2024 Operating and Capital budgets help us expand on these efforts with record investments in housing, public safety, transportation, environment protection, and more. Through our sustained funding, we can ensure every resident is safe, supported and strong.

June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and the perfect time to check in on the older adults in our lives. There are five types of elder abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Learning how to recognize signs of any type of abuse is imperative to keeping our older adults safe and healthy. Find out how at www.howardcountymd.gov/eldersafety.

All older adults deserve to age with respect and loving care. We have many resources to ensure our aging adult population can enjoy their golden years in Howard County, as well as resources to help protect them from the dangers they face. Aging is one thing no one can avoid, so let’s work together to help everyone age with dignity. Find more resources at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/aging-independence.

June 8 • 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Ellicott City 50+

Center

Ever wonder what happens when you report a consumer scam or elder fraud? The Office of Consumer Protection will host Deputy State’s Attorney Joshua Felsen and Howard County Police Detective Ryan McCrone to give an overview of how agencies work collaboratively to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. A Q&A session follows the presentation. Register at bit.ly/HoCoProtectWeek2023.

Coming in June

Nutrition Education: Boost Brain health and Alzheimer’s awareness

ELKRIDGE 50+ CENTER

June 15, 11 a.m. to noon

Registered Dietitian Carmen Roberts will discuss how nutrition can help prevent and manage disease and how your diet can boost brain health. Free; call 410-313-5192 to reserve a seat.

Carroll County Cloggers

ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER

June 21, 1 p.m. / A02631.300

The Carroll County Cloggers demonstrate contemporary clogging, influenced by tap, Canadian step dancing, Irish hard shoe, street dancing and hip hop. Grandkids welcome! Free; register on ActiveNet.

Grow flowers & veggies in containers

GLENWOOD 50+ CENTER

June 6, 11 a.m. / A03637.300

Join the Howard County Master Gardeners for an interactive presentation about what flowers and vegetables do best in containers. Free; register on ActiveNet.

Group talk: Resiliency

NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER

June 7, 11 a.m. to noon

Self-compassion feeds your soul and helps you appreciate others as well as yourself. Join a discussion to appreciate where you have been, while loving where you are going. Free; register at the front desk.

The Forgotten Discipline: Fiction craftmanship

BAIN 50+ CENTER

June 9, 10 a.m. / A01910.300

Are you a fiction writer with aspirations of getting published? This class covers required reference materials, formatting, copy editing, structure/ wording, and dialogue. Cost: $10. Register at the front desk.

Summer Sing-along

EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CENTER

June 13, 3 p.m. / A04532.300

Grease is the word! Come sing your heart out with Grease on the big screen while enjoying root beer floats and sliders! Suggested donation: $5.00. Register on ActiveNet.

To register or find more events, visit https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/

Enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER

9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723

June 15, 1:30 to 4 p.m. / Appointments required

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps low-income households access and afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. Eligible households can receive up to a $30/month discount on internet service and a discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer. For eligibility guidelines and more information, visit www.affordableconnectivity.gov or call 877-384-2575.

The Office on Aging and Independence encourages all qualifying older adult residents in Howard County to sign up for an appointment at our North Laurel application assistance event. In addition to getting help with the application process, we will have various internet/wireless service providers onsite for you to learn about options and/or set up your service. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 410-313-6542 or email mburgess@howardcountymd.gov.

Play SCAMO to protect yourself against scams & fraud

HOWARD COUNTY

PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

CENTRAL BRANCH, STUDIO ROOM

10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia 21044

June 22, 2 to 3 p.m. / Register in advance

The Howard County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) introduces SCAMO, a fun and interactive way to learn about scams and fraud, consumer protection issues and your rights as a consumer. Patterned after Bingo, SCAMO uses games to teach instead of classroom presentations. If you want to learn about scams while having fun, this game is for you! Small prizes will be awarded to winner(s). Register at bit.ly/OCP-SCAMO or call OCP at 410-313-6420 for more information.