CONNECT for Older
Americans Month
by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging Edwin Walker
ACL believes that when older adults and communities stay
connected, everyone wins. That’s why Connect is the first step in our
three-part theme for Older Americans Month (OAM) 2019: Connect,
Create, Contribute. Celebrated each May, OAM provides opportunities for
people of all ages to connect and participate in a larger conversation
about aging in America — a conversation that grows in importance as the
number of older Americans continues to increase.
In 2000, 46 million Americans were over the age of 60. By
2020, that number is expected to reach more than 77 million. To prepare for
future generations, we must invest today in the network of services that
will support an aging population. One way we can do that is by connecting —
connecting older adults with services, connecting community members with
one another, and connecting research with programs that lead to innovative
ideas for the future.
Connection takes many forms, from one-on-one contacts between
neighbors to social and educational community programs. Communities can
empower their older members by reaching out with information about
essential services and personal enrichment opportunities. The Eldercare Locator, a public service of
ACL’s Administration on Aging, is a great place to start. It can connect
you to a variety of local services for older adults and their families.
Connection can also happen more informally by sitting down to
an intergenerational meal or encouraging older adults to share their
experiences through storytelling or other artistic endeavors. It can also
mean just taking time to chat with family friends and neighbors. These
informal connections improve quality of life and encourage important
support systems for all of us.
Tell us how you connect: #OAM19 #ConnectCreateContribute
|
No comments:
Post a Comment