What is Older Americans Month?
Older Americans Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of older Americans. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about how you can help your loved ones stay healthy, safe and independent as they age.
Older Americans Month was established by Congress in 1978 as part of the Older Americans Act (OAA). The OAA was created to support programs that provide assistance with daily living activities such as meal preparation or transportation; health services; counseling on issues related to financial security or housing options; legal assistance with wills and other estate planning documents; caregiver support programs for family members who are caring for older adults who need assistance with daily tasks but do not require full-time care at home
The Benefits of Celebrating Older Americans Month
Older Americans Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of older Americans, encourage intergenerational activities and raise awareness of the needs of older Americans.
The month long observance began in 1987 as an opportunity to honor those who have reached or are approaching retirement age. The theme for Older Americans Month 2023 is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes.
Ways to Show Respect and Appreciation
- Listen to the stories of older adults.
- Visit a nursing home and spend time with residents there, or volunteer in your community by helping local seniors.
- Show gratitude for their contributions by saying “thank you” or writing a note of appreciation.
How to Support Older Americans
- Provide financial support. If you’re able to, consider donating to organizations that support older Americans and their needs. Your money can go toward providing meals or medical care for seniors who might otherwise not be able to afford it.
- Volunteer at a local senior center. Many communities have facilities where older people can come together and socialize with others who are going through similar experiences in life, like dealing with health issues or losing loved ones. Volunteering at these centers is an excellent way to give back while also helping out those who need it most!
- Donate items such as blankets or clothes that may be useful for those living on fixed incomes (such as Social Security).
Resources for Older Americans
The Impact of Older Americans Month
Older Americans Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of the issues facing older Americans and celebrate their contributions. It’s also a time to support the needs of this growing population, who will make up nearly 20% of our country’s population by 2030.
Senior LIFE Supports Seniors and Their Families
Our goal at Senior LIFE is to provide the necessary supports and services to keep seniors living at home for as long as possible. These supports also provide some respite and support to the caregivers of those seniors by knowing that their loved ones are cared for according to their own needs. What is even better is that there is no cost for services for seniors who live on Medicaid who live in the community.
Every aspect of the program is customized to meet the participant’s needs. A participant’s individualized care plan may include a variety of services including rehabilitation, social services, transportation, and medications. For a full list of services, please visit https://seniorlifepa.com/about
If you think that you, or a loved one, could benefit from Senior LIFE services, please contact us via email at info@seniorlifepa.com or call the center nearest you.
