“Blaze A Trail” During Older Americans Month

Older Americans Month is an annual event dating back to 1963, when President John F. Kennedy designated May as “Senior Citizens Month.” It was later renamed Older Americans Month, honoring older Americans and celebrating their contributions to our communities and our nation.

When 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 to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to his designating May as “Senior Citizens Month.”

Two years later, in 1965, Congress passed the Older Americans Act to address the lack of community social services for older people in the United States. The original legislation authorized the federal government to make grants to the states for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The Older Americans Act also established the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the primary federal agency on issues concerning older Americans.

Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs, and other such activities.

Each year, the Administration on Community Living Resources (ACL) sets the theme for Older Americans Month. The 2016 theme is “Blaze a Trail,” acknowledging the perennial contributions of older adults to our nation and celebrating how older adults take charge of their health, get engaged in their communities, and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

What can you do to celebrate Older Americans Month this year?

• Blaze a Trail to Wellness.  It’s never too late to get more active or revamp your diet. Small things can lead to huge differences in the way you feel and the way your body works. Although you should always consult with your doctor before making changes, there are easy steps you can take toward overall wellness—regardless of your age.
• Blaze a Trail to Secure Finances.  You have worked and saved for years, so you want to make sure your finances are secure. Financial exploitation happens when someone improperly uses your money or property for his or her benefit. This abuse can be committed by someone you know or a stranger. Avoiding exploitation or fraud is easier when you are educated about ways to protect yourself.
• Blaze a Trail to Civic Engagement.  Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the lives of community members. Community service and volunteering are common ways to refer to this engagement. Beyond helping the people around you, being involved in your community benefits you. It’s never too late to give back!

FirstLight Home Care — South Sound provides companion and personal care services to help older adults live independently at home year-round.  We are excited to celebrate Older Americans Month and focus on how older adults in our community are leading and inspiring others, how we can support and learn from them, and how we might follow their examples to blaze trails of our own.