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‘Engage’ rebrand aims to expand 'No Senior Eats Alone Day' into year‑round connections
Summary
Acting chair Marlene Riley said the 'No Senior Eats Alone' initiative, started in 2019, was reframed as 'Engage' to align with a 10‑year Longevity Ready Maryland plan and to encourage restaurants, libraries and senior centers to foster intergenerational social connection; she also flagged transportation discounts and outreach for September.
The county’s rebranding of "No Senior Eats Alone Day" to "Engage" is intended to broaden participation and align the event with Longevity Ready Maryland’s 10‑year strategic plan, Marlene Riley said.
"By just revising the description and the brand, that way it would align really well and be part of that 10 year strategic plan," Riley said, adding that the program began in 2019 and has grown partnerships with restaurants, libraries and senior centers.
Riley said the rebrand is designed to raise awareness about social isolation across the lifespan while keeping a focus on older adults. She urged businesses to consider age‑friendly practices — clearer menus, better lighting, easier physical navigation and parking — as a way to serve customers and expand patronage beyond a single day.
Riley also offered a business rationale for participation, stating that "there is essentially 56% of spending comes from individuals over the age of 50" in Maryland. She said the commission plans to encourage education for restaurants and coffee shops on becoming more age‑friendly and will look into transportation discounts offered by participating partners for the September celebration.
On personal outreach, Riley said she plans to invite a friend who no longer drives to join her at a participating partner site in September. The program segment closed with the host promoting the Time of Your Life Digest and subscription information for mature adults in Baltimore County.
