Older Americans Month
By Carol Higgins Taylor
May is Older Americans Month. It’s a time to honor the senior population who serve as our living history.
And happy birthday to the Older Americans Act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in July 1965. It was designated as a time to celebrate and acknowledge senior citizens for their past and current contributions to their communities and the county at large.
There were 17 million people age 65 and older in 1963. In the 1960s, about a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs then to meet their needs, but interest in seniors and their lives was a growing concern.
According to the Administration on Aging, a meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month,” the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”
Today there are more than 40 million seniors, according to the Administration on Aging, 2010 census.
Maine is currently the oldest state in the nation. And, in my opinion, we’re proud of it. Seniors are our link to the past and an inspiration of what can be accomplished in the future.
Every year the United States Administration on Aging (AoA) has a different theme for Older Americans Month and this year it is “Get into the Act,” to focus on how older adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities, and making a positive impact in the lives of others.
The theme also reflects on this 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act. Since its inception, the Act has provided a nationwide aging services network and funding that helps older adults live with dignity in their own communities for as long as possible.
These services include home-delivered and congregate meals, caregiver support, community-based assistance, preventive health services, elder abuse prevention, and much more.
By promoting and engaging in activity, wellness, and inclusivity, more seniors than ever before can “Get into the Act.” Older Americans Month offers an opportunity to highlight how older adults are engaging with and making a difference in their communities, for example through volunteering.
In 2006, there were amendments to the act that reaffirmed AoA’s commitment to ensuring that all seniors have access to programs and services that help reduce the impact of disease, chronic disabilities and that promote preventive measures to either eliminate or reduce any new diseases and disabilities.
The evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention strategies use clinically tested and proven tools and behavior changes to manage a person’s health and disease. These programs are localized and available through area agencies on aging. The hope is that the programs will help people avoid hospitalizations and unnecessary physician visits.
The evidence-based programs are a key component to empowering seniors to take responsibility for their own health and well-being by making informed health choices and by adopting healthful behaviors, such as exercising among others.
If you’d like to celebrate Older Americans Month by investigating some health and wellness evidence-based programming, contact Eastern Area Agency on Aging. They have multiple classes available.
And don’t miss the ninth annual Senior Expo, this year being held in partnership with Bangor Daily News The date is Friday, May 22 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Center. There will be educational sessions, screenings and more than 100 vendors. As always, admission is free.
So Happy Older Americans Month. Go out and give a hug of appreciation to a senior. Preferably one you know.
Carol Higgins is an advocate for seniors and owns Bryant Street Public Relations in Bangor. Email her at 4chtaqylor@gmail.com.