Older Americans Month - Health BeatHealth Beat

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 65^th 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.

May is Older Americans Month. During this time, Flushing Hospital Medical Center would like to spotlight the importance of meaningful social connections for the health and well-being of aging members of our community.

Socialization is beneficial for people of any age when it comes to mental and physical health. However, it becomes even more important as we age as a way of managing a wide range of increasing health risks.

According to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), approximately one third of adults aged 45 or older feel socially isolated. Several factors, such as the loss of loved ones or other significant life events, can contribute to this feeling. It is important that we pay attention to the effects of social isolation as they have been linked to a significantly increased risk of experiencing a variety of medical problems, including mental health conditions, such as depression, as well as chronic physical problems, such as heart disease.

The negative mental and physical impacts of social isolation on older adults are intertwined. Social isolation has specifically been linked to a 50% increase in the risk of developing dementia, as well as a significantly increased risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a stroke. These medical problems, in turn, increase the risk of developing mental health problems such as depression, which is more likely to occur in people with a chronic or disabling medical problem.

Older adults who feel socially isolated have a variety of options for seeking out opportunities for social interaction. A few of these include:

Calling or visiting family members or friends regularly
Joining a local community group or attending local events
Joining a gym or exercise class
Going out for a walk each day and visiting a specific location, such as a cafe or shop

Taking these steps may not immediately make you feel better or lead you to instantly develop close, high-quality relationships. However, making a point to interact with people regularly allows you to cultivate these relationships gradually over time and develop a healthier, more active social life.

If you feel socially isolated and start to experience symptoms of a medical problem, such as depression, dementia, or heart disease, it is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.