May is Older Americans Month, a month that recognizes older Americans’ contributions, highlights aging trends, and reaffirms the commitment to serving older adults in the community.
At the time Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty, and there were few programs that met their needs. Because of this, interest in older Americans and their concerns grew.
After an April meeting between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens, May was designated as “Senior Citizens Month”, the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”
Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, especially those who have served our country.
Here are some ways you can participate in Older Americans Month:
- Share facts about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection and how it contributes to overall well-being
- Promote resources that help older adults engage, like community events, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities
- Connect older adults with local services, such as transportation, that can help them overcome obstacles to achieving or maintaining meaningful relationships
- Encourage partners to host a connection-centric event or program focused on older adult mentors to youth, peer-to-peer support, or similar efforts
- Challenge professional and personal networks to prioritize meaningful social connections and share the benefits
- Inspire older adults to “flip the script on aging” and focus on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. Encourage individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions.
During this Older Americans Month, join in by honoring older adults’ contributions, exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as we age, and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.