NTL Older Americans Month 2018: Engage at Every Age
Across the country, older Americans – a rapidly growing population – are taking part in activities that promote wellness and social connection. They are sharing their wisdom and experience with future generations, and they are giving back to enrich their communities. They’re working and volunteering, mentoring and learning, leading and engaging.
For 55 years, Older Americans Month (OAM) has been observed to recognize older Americans and their contributions to our communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, every May offers an opportunity to hear from, support, and celebrate our nation’s older people.
This year’s OAM theme, “Engage at Every Age,” emphasizes the importance of being active and involved, no matter where or when you are in life. You are never too old (or too young) to participate in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotion well-being.
It is becoming more apparent that remaining socially engaged can improve the quality of life for older adults. PCOA will use OAM 2018 to focus on how older adults in our area are engaging with friends and family, and through various community-based activities. Throughout the month, PCOA will conduct activities and share information designed to highlight staying active. Do so by participating in one or more of our Healthy Living programs, connecting with other caregivers in one of our Caregiver Support Groups, or learning about Healthy Habits for Adults through a new series of ten unique one-hour classes focusing on improving nutrition and increasing physical activity.
Also in May, PCOA and Tucson Medical Center will partner to celebrate the lives of those in our community age 99 and older at the 31st annual Centenarian Celebration, and will come together with our community to celebrate the gift of longevity at The Gala.
We encourage you to get involved by reading about the wide range of opportunities to be more engaged, in these pages.
Let’s celebrate Older Americans Month in diverse ways, and let our focus be to build on our successes, strengthen our commitment to those who are vulnerable, and commit to the primary goal of having the quality of life keep pace with the quantity.
W. Mark Clark
President and CEO