May is Older Americans Month, a time to acknowledge the past and current contributions of older persons. The theme this year is "Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities".

Our Nation is nearing the start of a tremendous demographic shift. Beginning in 2011, the first of 78 million baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) will start the transition into retirement, kicking off an expansion in the number of elderly people that will continue for decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one out of every nine baby boomers will live to be at least age 90.

An expanding older adult population also spotlights our responsibility to ensure the well-being of our older citizens. As a Nation, we are working diligently to address older adults’ unique health and long-term care challenges. The thousands of professionals, caregivers, and volunteers that make up the National Aging Services Network have been collaborating in innumerable ways for decades to fulfill the mission of the Older Americans Act.

This year’s theme, "Working Together for Strong, Healthy, and Supportive Communities," speaks to the opportunities we have to create better care and reinforce healthier societies for all ages. Working together, our communities can improve older adults’ overall quality of life by helping them:

• Make behavioral changes in their lifestyles that can reduce risk of disease, disability, and injury.
• Obtain the tools they need to make informed decisions about, and gain better access to, existing health and long-term care options in their communities.
• Have more options to avoid placement in nursing homes and remain at home as long as possible

By working together we can improve the health and well being of our Nation’s older adults and pave the way for future generations.

Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs and other such activities. The senior centers in our area plan many activities also, such as indoor picnics with games and cake walks and health fairs.

Call your local senior center for more information about their activities and programs for senior adults.

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