CELEBRATE OLDER AMERICANS MONTH!

Older Americans Month is celebrated every May to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens. This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes.

Older Americans Month History

Older Americans Month was established in 1963 by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). At that time, only 17 million Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of seniors were living in poverty and there were few programs created to cater to their age group. President Kennedy decided to do something about it. In 1963, he attended a meeting with members of the National Council of Senior Citizens. The result was the designating of May as “Senior Citizens Month” which later became “Older Americans Month.”

Older Americans Month was seen as a time to honor the contributions older Americans have made to our country. Today, Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs, and other such activities.

How You Can Honor Older Americans Month

This May, join us as we recognize the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month and challenge the narrative on aging. Here are some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound:

Embrace the opportunity to change: Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.
Explore the rewards of growing older: With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes, and creative activities.
Stay engaged in your community: Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
Form relationships: As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.

Get Involved

Join the conversation by following #OlderAmericansMonth hashtag on social media to see how other communities are planning to celebrate and starting the conversation in your own community! And view activity ideas for Older Americans Month.