The Ellicott City Western Howard Democratic Club is pleased to announce that the speaker for our November meeting is Starr Sowers, the new administrator of the Howard County Office on Aging, under the Department of Citizen Services.
The meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 10, beginning at 7 p.m. at Player’s Grille in Marriottsville.
Aging is an important issue in Howard County. In 2010, 10.1 percent of residents in the county were aged 65 or over. By 2025, this figure will reach 17.5 percent and by 2035, 21.6 percent.
In her role, Ms. Sowers is a member of the county executive’s cabinet and offers critical policy guidance to improve delivery of services to the growing senior population.
Ms. Sowers has worked for the county’s Office on Aging in various capacities since 1985. Most recently, she served as manager of the Health and Wellness Division, where she oversaw programs and activities, including the 50+ EXPO and WomenFest. Prior to this position, she was Manager of Senior Center Operations with oversight of eight senior centers and three Senior Center Plus centers. She also worked as the Gateway II Program Coordinator, managing a program for seniors 65 and older who were moderately to severely impaired and at risk of being placed in nursing homes.
Ms. Sowers has a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Maryland, School of Social Work and Community Planning and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland.
The Office on Aging is the principal agency for planning, advocating, developing and coordinating programs and services for Howard County residents age 50 and older, adults with disabilities age 18 and older and their family members.
