Data Analytics and Statistics Hub

Thriving and Healthy Residents

Increase number of unduplicated people attending 50+ Centers by 10% by 2025

8,365 

FY23 Actual


FY22 Actual
6,505

Objective Description

Research indicates that older adults who are engaged in the community experience greater quality of life and reduced risk for adverse outcomes. Correlational studies have found that participants in senior type programs have lower levels of cognitive impairment, less depression, and lower risk of premature institutionalization. The 50+ Centers, overseen by the Office of Aging and Independence, provide a wide range of services and activities to engage the older population, including: meals, exercise, discussion groups, entertainment, arts and crafts, inter-generational programming, and much more.

Trend Analysis

Overall participation levels in the Centers has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Virtual programming continues to be popular, but numbers continue to decrease, as in person participation has continued to increase. The virtual program at the 50+ Centers focuses exclusively on exercise programming. 30% of Virtual Exercise participants say they will continue to utilize this option and not return to in-person fitness participation. Our target for virtual participation is to maintain our current participation, as we do anticipate growth. Centers have also expanded their operating hours for the second year in a row, to include four evenings and Saturday mornings per week at Bain, East Columbia, Elkridge and Ellicott City. It is projected that participation levels will increase by around 8% in FY25.

Strategies

  • Renovate and expand 50+ Center in East Columbia.
  • Complete renovations to the Florence Bain 50+ Center, the most actively used Center in the county.
  • Expand operating hours to include Mon-Thus evenings and Saturday mornings.
  • Strengthen existing collaborations with partners.
  • Optimize program opportunities to support personal choice.

Source: Department of Community Resources and Services

Detailed Analysis


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