Howard County News

Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families issued the following announcement on Oct. 2.

Learn how to plan a future that maximizes your ability to successfully age in the community at Howard County’s 20th annual 50+EXPO on Friday, October 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road in Columbia.

Presented by the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) and coordinated by the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI), the 50+EXPO is celebrating 20 years as the premier event for older adults in Howard County, attracting more than 2,000 attendees and featuring more than 170 vendors and exhibitors. Admission is $1 and free parking and shuttle transportation is available from the lower level JCPenney parking lot at The Mall in Columbia.

Returning as a 2018 sponsor, AARP will present “Great Communities for All,” an interactive exhibit in the Guidance Room, where attendees can explore what makes a community great for all ages. Amy Goyer, AARP’s Family and Caregiving Expert, will present the 2018 keynote address, “Mindfully Map Out Your Future,” at 11:00 a.m. in the Jim Rouse Theatre. Goyer will discuss how to create a successful plan to support future independence, including having family discussions, forming a team of advisors and potential caregivers, getting your legal and financial affairs in order, identifying community-based supports and more. All keynote attendees can enter a drawing for a $300 gift card; however, participants must be present to win. Pre-registration for the keynote address is available at www.mapoutyourfuture.eventbrite.com.

Together, OAI and the County’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services have partnered together to present “Fire and Fall Safety for Adults” and “Stop the Bleed Training” on Main Street. Find out how to maintain working smoke alarms in your home, get fall safety and prevention tips, and learn Hands-Only CPR and bleeding control.

Virtual Dementia Tours® will be offered again this year between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. by OAI staff members. Tours are 15-minutes long and provide participants with a multi-sensory experience to simulate what it is like to live with dementia.

A series of free seminars will carry out the 2018 Future Planning theme, including “Planning to Plan: Factors That Help and Hurt Your Ability to Plan In Advance” presented by DCRS; “Making a Move with Ease: The Right Way to Rightsize” presented by Let’s Move and the Silver Group of the Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Integrity; “Financial Planning and Your Financial Focus” presented Pilot Financial Advisors; “Star in Your Future: Make Your Wishes Known Today” presented by OAI; and “50+ Futures: The Planning Series” presented by The Beacon and OAI.

Attendees to the 50+EXPO can take advantage of free flu vaccines and free health screenings at the onsite health fair, provided by Howard County General Hospital and local health practitioners. New this year, the University of Maryland Medical Center will provide nutrition education and conduct free individual screenings to identify nutrient deficiencies which can lead to malnutrition.

Back by popular demand, the Capitol Steps return to the Jim Rouse Theatre at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the EXPO while quantities last; a $5 donation is requested per ticket. All show proceeds benefit the Vivian L. Reid Community Fund, which provides emergency financial assistance to older adults and adults with disabilities in Howard County whose needs are not covered by Medicare or other assistance programs.

Light breakfast and full lunch options are available for purchase in the 50+ Café, with all day entertainment provided.

The 2018 50+EXPO Platinum sponsors are: AARP; Capital Digestive Care; Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics/Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland Division; Columbia Association; Erickson Living; First Care, Inc.; Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services; Howard County General Hospital and The Mall in Columbia. Gold sponsors include Howard County Health Department; LifeBridge Health; Sheppard Pratt Health System; The Evergreens at Columbia Town Center and University of Maryland Faculty Physicians. Media sponsors include Baltimore Sun Media Group; The Beacon; The Business Monthly; Focus on Women Magazine; Her Mind Magazine; Guide To Retirement Living SourceBook and Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland.

For more information and a full schedule of the day’s events, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/50plusexpo or www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity, #HoCoEXPO18. To request a sign language interpreter or other ADA accommodations to attend, call 410-313-6410 (voice/relay) one week in advance.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families