At 50, the house is younger than its future patrons.
Sitting on 200 Glenwood acres, the nine-bedroom farmhouse will soon be the only senior center in West Howard County. Until it opens in late spring, the seniors meet for lunch every weekday at the Lisbon Fire Hall.
They are former classmates and co-workers. And as they sit in the bland but comfortable fire hall they are optimistic senior citizens who look more toward the future than back at the past.
"We're all looking forward to seeing the new building. When you get to a certain age, you're home all the time, you get lonely," said Janette Thomas, an 82-year-old Howard County native.
She sat up straight in her black sweater with bright gold trim.
"You need people to talk to, a hot meal, and we get that here. Of course I bowl every week, too," she said. She's pretty good, usually scoring around 150.
"This will be a godsend for the people here, and so far it seems it will be the only one of its kind in Howard County," said Johanna Baldwin of the Howard County Commission on Aging.
The county bought the house and the 200 acres next to Glenwood Middle School and Bushy Park Elementary School last year. It's a lot of space, but they plan to use every inch.
"The county's intention is to turn the property into a park, playing field and multiservice center for West County," said Manus O'Donnell, Director of the Department of Citizen Services. There are also plans for a library, a space for the police department and a new fire station.
"Those are all definite and in the planning process right now, the county is hiring a consultant to look at the site and determine the best location for the facilities," Mr. O'Donnell said.
In the meantime, the farmhouse is being converted at a cost of $20,000 to $30,000.
"We have to modify it to make it accessible for seniors and to meet fire and safety codes," Mr. O'Donnell said.
"That means adding another door and handicap parking, putting in some ramps, installing a smoke alarm system and fire safe doors," he said. The center will be sectioned for what Mr. O'Donnell calls "well elderly" and "frail elderly."
"The frail elderly need more assistance with movement and, in some cases, assistance with their lunch," he said.
"As part of the program for the frail elderly, we also do things like exercise to increase mobility, work with occupational therapists to help them maintain the ability to stay in their homes, and socialization programs to help keep them alert," he said.
The center will open for frail elderly in April, well elderly in July. So far, there are about 330 seniors who participate in the existing programs and will continue at the new center.
To Barbara Delsh, they are family.
Since 1972, Ms. Delsh has been working with the seniors of West County at various churches and halls in the area.
Ms. Delsh, who raises cattle on a tiny farm, said she's surprised that anyone would ask why she spends her days helping people.
"You see a need and you do it, you don't let a need go unfolded. Unfolded? Is that the word I mean?" Ms. Delsh said.
She didn't wait for an answer.
"You have to turn that need over, unfold it, and see what you can do. You don't walk away from it," she said.