NOTTINGHAM, MD—Following new public health guidance and updates to statewide restrictions, Baltimore County on Tuesday announced an accelerated timeline for reopening the County’s largest senior centers.

These changes come as a significant portion of Baltimore County’s older adults are now vaccinated. According to state data, 86 percent of residents ages 65-69, 94 percent of residents ages 70-74, and 98 percent of residents ages 75-79 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Our senior centers fill an important role in the lives of so many of Baltimore County’s older adults,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “In light of the latest guidance from health officials and our continued progress in vaccinating our residents, we’re excited to be able to safely bring seniors back to our centers even more quickly.”

“We know that so many of our seniors have faced social isolation amid the pandemic and so this is great news to support our members and ensure they can access to the critical social and community in-person support they’ve missed for a year,” said Laura D. Riley, Director of the Department of Aging. “Moving forward, we will continue to do whatever we can to expand our in-person opportunities as we work towards reopening all our centers as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Drop-in and Recreational Programs Now Available at Largest Senior Centers
Beginning immediately, registered members can participate in drop-in and recreational programs, including basketball, pickleball, cards, pool, socializing, woodshop, bingo, shuffleboard, and table tennis, at the following senior centers:

• Bykota Senior Center, 611 Central Avenue, Towson, MD 21204, 410-887-3094, [email protected]
• Catonsville Senior Center, 501 North Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228, 410-887-0900, [email protected]
• Cockeysville Senior Center, 10535 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030, 410-887-7694, [email protected]
• Essex Senior Center, 600 Dorsey Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21221, 410-887-0267, [email protected]
• Liberty Senior Center, 3525 Resource Drive, Randallstown, MD 21133, 410-887-0780, [email protected]
• Parkville Senior Center, 8601 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21234, 410-887-5338, [email protected]
• Pikesville Senior Center, 1301 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, 410-887-1245, [email protected]
• Seven Oaks Senior Center, 9210 Seven Courts Drive, Perry Hall, MD 21236, 410-887-5192, [email protected]

Due to construction, the Ateaze Senior Center will not reopen for drop-in use until July 6.

The County plans to resume in-person instructional classes and educational seminars starting Monday, June 7.

In the coming weeks, the County will announce plans for reopening the County’s remaining 11 senior centers.

Valid 2021-2022 Membership Card and Orientation Required
A valid 2021-2022 membership card will be required to enter senior centers. To obtain an updated membership card, members are required to attend an orientation session to learn about safety protocols and to complete annual center registration forms.

Individuals can register for these orientation sessions by calling 410-887-2040 or going online at https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/aging to sign-up. Only one appointment is necessary as the membership covers all County senior centers.

While mask-wearing will be a matter of individual choice, the County strongly encourages all members who are not yet vaccinated to please continue to wear a mask while in the centers, and to sign up for a vaccine appointment by visiting Baltimorecountymd.gov/vaccine.

Virtual Programming to Continue
Virtual programs will continue to be publicized in the senior center monthly newsletters and on the Department of Aging’s website at https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/seniorcenters.

Questions and Information Requests
Questions about the phased opening of our senior centers can be directed to Jill Hall, Chief, Senior Centers and Community Services Division, at 410-887-3424 or [email protected].