Pamper Yourself
The Pamper Yourself Area of the Expo provides beauty services to Expo guests free of charge:
- Manicures
- Nail polish
- Hair comb outs
- Beauty consultations
Services are offered courtesy of George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology and Western School of Technology and Environmental Sciences students.
Flu and Pneumonia Shot Clinic
Safeway Pharmacy is offering flu, COVID, pneumococcal, shingles, RSV and tetanus vaccines at the Expo and senior centers throughout Baltimore County in October. People with Medicare Part B will receive their flu, pneumococcal and COVID vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to the recipient. People with Medicare Part D will receive their shingles and tetanus vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to the recipient. Please bring your Medicare Part B and Part D cards with you to your senior center clinic or the Expo for billing purposes. The CDC recommends everyone six months and older should be vaccinated against the flu, ideally, by the end of October. Safeway will have flu vaccines available for ages three and above, including the senior high dose flu vaccine for ages 65 years and older.
People without Medicare Part B will be able to get their flu, COVID, pneumococcal, shingles, RSV and tetanus vaccines pending insurance coverage. Please bring your insurance cards to the Expo and Clinic. If you have questions about vaccine coverage, please reach out to your local Safeway Pharmacy. To locate your nearest Safeway Pharmacy, please visit www.safeway.com.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a flu shot if you are over age 50 or have:
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- History of stroke or heart attack
- Chronic respiratory disorder
- Diabetes
- Compromised immune system
- Anemia
The shots and vaccines will be provided at no cost for Medicare B beneficiaries.
Baltimore County State Health Insurance Assistance Program Outreach
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) will offer one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries. Since the Expo takes place right before open enrollment for Part D Prescription drug plans, this is the perfect opportunity to verify that your drug plan is the most economical for your prescription needs. Bring your drug list including dosage and frequency, your Medicare card and any other information about your drug coverage.
Due to the fact that drug plan formularies, deductibles and costs are allowed to change each year, everyone should research their drug plan annually.
“Be All In” with BCPL’s Resources and Services
Baltimore County Public Library provides opportunities to explore, learn, create and connect. With 19 branches and four bookmobiles offering mobile engagement, including the Mobile Library Law Center, we take pride being embedded in the community. Along with books, movies, audiobooks and magazines, we provide online resources, including research databases, downloadables and streaming movies. Each branch offers internet access on public computers as well as free WiFi. A range of free programs, including book clubs, art programs, job search assistance and professional legal services are offered at branches—small business owners can take advantage of Entrepreneur Academy, a series of workshops designed to develop, launch or improve small businesses; and at our annual Book Lovers Bash, meet bestselling authors like Elizabeth Berg, Elin Hilderbrand, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Programs are offered continuously in both in-person and virtual formats.
At the Power of Age Expo, we are offering two of our Books and Conversation programs at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., similar to those at branches and virtually, where staff members share recent titles of books they are excited about and give participants a chance to tell us what they are reading. You can also increase your digital know-how at our Tiny Tech Byte sessions throughout the day.
Library staff members are on hand to answer your questions, help you with e-book devices and show you how to download cloudLibrary, Libby, Kanopy, hoopla and our B Mobile app so you can use our services from anywhere.
“Be All In” at Baltimore County Public Library—your resource to explore, learn, create and connect.
Join the Senior Center Games
Have fun while learning about BCDA’s 21 Senior Centers at the Power of Age Expo. “The Senior Center Games” is an interactive exhibit that highlights the programs, benefits, and activities that are offered daily at BCDA’s 21 Senior Centers. Located in the South Hall, each booth will be operated by senior center volunteers and will have a different game to complete. Enjoy games such as Bean Bag Toss, Velcro Darts, Memory Marathon, and more. Complete the game at each booth in “The Senior Center Games” and mark your scorecard. Those who fill their scorecard will receive a prize!
Visiting each booth throughout “The Senior Center Games” is a great opportunity to learn what each Center has to offer, from the individuals who attend them regularly. You will also be able to learn about the Eating Together program, the numerous nutrition sites located throughout the County, the Center Connection program, the various health and fitness programs offered at the Senior Centers, OPAL online programs, and Senior Box office. Hourly demonstrations will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature some of the unique classes offered at the Centers including Fit and Strong, Zumba Gold, Circle Mobility and Chair Aerobics.
There is no need for anyone to sit home alone and isolated when there are 20 physical Senior Centers located around Baltimore County and one online Senior Center! Explore the fun, friendship, and socialization available each day by participating in the “The Senior Center Games” in the South Hall.
The Baltimore County Department of Aging has 20 senior centers throughout the County and one virtual OPAL Center. Each center welcomes new members and/or guests for programs and activities. To learn more, you can visit the County website or call 410-887-2040 to find the center nearest to you.
Pickleball Educational Workshops and Demonstrations
Have you heard someone raving about the fitness benefit of playing Pickleball? Have you watched a fun-filled match on your local community recreation center? Are you wondering if this is a sport you should give a try in later life? Well, come to Expo and learn from one of our most active and enthusiastic senior centers about Pickleball—the Jacksonville Senior Center.
The sport—a mash-up between tennis and ping pong—has been on the rise lately and it’s easy to see why: Not only is it a great way to get in some exercise, but it’s also low-impact enough that anyone can do it. You don’t have to be a pro athlete (or even a regular gym goer) to have fun playing pickleball. It really is accessible for people of all ages. So, it’s no wonder the game was named the “fastest-growing sport over the last two years,” according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
If you’re not already playing pickleball, now is a great time to learn from avid players. Throughout the day, skilled players will teach you first ,the basics of play and etiquette to make you feel comfort to walk on the court. Next, players will share some strategy to prepare you for more competitive matches when you and your partner want to win! Also, player injuries are common, so it is important to all Pickleball players to put some thought into injury prevention. Thanks to our speakers from ATI Physical Therapy, you can learn how to stretch and to build muscle and balance to limit your risk of injury on the court. Throughout the day between the educational seminars, Jacksonville Senior Center Pickleball players will provide demonstrations of the game. Each demonstration will feature a different level of player so you can see the progression you can make when you put practice and knowledge into action.
The seminar schedule is as follows:
9:15 a.m.—Pickleball 101: the Basics on Play and Etiquette with Ken Lucas and Kim Tawney from Jacksonville Senior Center
10 a.m.—Game Demonstrations by Jacksonville players
11 a.m.—How to Best Condition for Play with Akshay Murlidharan PT, MS, ATI Physical Therapy
Noon—Game Demonstrations by Jacksonville players
1 p.m.—Pickleball Strategy with Ed Fields from Jacksonville Senior Center
2 p.m.—Game Demonstrations by Jacksonville players
3 p.m.—How to Get Fit for Pickleball with Laura Myers DPT, ATI Physical Therapy
4 p.m.—Game Demonstrations by Jacksonville players
Empower Your Health with DHHS
Health and Human Services is committed to helping residents of Baltimore County lead healthy, safe and productive lives. We provide a variety of programs and services to assist individuals, children and families. In our South Hall feature area, our staff will have information on safely storing and disposing unused prescription medications, resources to help pay energy, water and other household bills, as well as free smoking cessation information and supports. Ever wonder what the inside of your ear looks like? Come find out! Take a look inside your ear by video that will be offered. If you are interested in adopting a pet, our Cuddle Shuttle will be on site to assist with adding a new member to your family. Be sure to check us out! Our knowledgeable staff can connect you to a variety of program resources to help meet an array of needs.
Keep in touch with us even after the Expo by connecting on Facebook @BaltCoHHS, by emailing questions to hhs@baltimorecountymd.gov, or by calling our Help Line at 410-887-3816. HHS is on the job and always ready to help.
Discover Resources and Activity in the Caregiver/Dementia Friendly Feature Area
Calling all Caregivers! Join us at the Caregiver and Dementia Friendly Corner for caregiving resources and support! This feature area of Expo is going to be sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Maryland and the Broadmead Center for Dementia Care. Visit the activity area to rest and engage in fun with LEGO Play, Zentangle, Adult Coloring, and more. This is a quiet area for caregivers/care partners and those living with cognitive challenges who may want a quieter space to catch their breath from all the EXPO excitement! It is also a good place to de-stress and have fun! While you are there, put your name in a raffle for a Caregiver Self-Care Basket and take a chance to win a Twiddlemuff!