County Services News

Counties Recognize Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month, a time that we as a nation set aside to honor the country's 34 million older Americans (persons 65 years and older). During May we try to recognize the contributions older citizens make to society, and to call attention to the rapidly growing older population and the issues that affect them the most. (See related article.)

Throughout the month of May, counties nationwide are celebrating Older Americans Month with a range of activities to recognize their senior citizens. These events/activities provide counties with the opportunities to reach out to the public and include persons of all ages in the celebration of the community's older population. Publicity around Older Americans Month also draws attention to the needs of seniors and county programs that address their aging-related issues.

The following is a sampling of what counties nationwide have planned for Older Americans Month '97:

Anderson and Oconee counties, S.C. - (with older populations of 21,000 and 10,000, respectively) are using the storefronts of local businesses to provide information about aging issues and services within the community. The Anderson/Oconee Council on Aging sponsored the initiative, along with the Foothills United Way and local businesses.

Atlantic County, N.J. - (with an older population of 35,000) has activities planned throughout the month of May, including a Senior Citizen Art Contest, an Intergenerational Luncheon and a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.

Throughout the month, the county will be promoting several intergenerational activities to involve youth in the celebration of Older Americans Month and further the county's tradition of youth-senior partnerships. Youth will be calling homebound, socially isolated seniors weekly and conducting home visits (i.e., as friendly visitors) to those who are interested.

Teens from the county youth shelter will be baking cookies and cakes and distributing them to county nursing home residents. And older persons from area nutrition sites will be visiting a local preschool weekly to read to the children and participate in recreational activities.

Johnson County, Kan. - (with an older population of 40,000) is featuring National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 28th as their grand finale to Older Americans Month. This daylong event will feature two health walks, picnics and entertainment, and numerous presentations on senior health and fitness.

Los Angeles County, Calif. - (with an older population of 950,000) will be conducting 15 county-wide forums, beginning May 5, to address fraud and abuse against seniors. The community's older persons are invited to attend and participate with state and local experts as they address Medicaid fraud, elder abuse, home lien scams, telemarketing, real estate fraud, insurance fraud and the role of law enforcement. On May 21, the county is sponsoring an Older Americans Recognition Day, which more than 600 older persons are expected to attend.

Salt Lake County, Utah - (with an older population of 70,000) has Older Americans Month activities and events planned for almost every day in May. The county is placing special emphasis on National Senior Center Week (May 11-17), with celebrations of Ethnic Day; Hispanic Day; the Annual Variety Show; and a celebration honoring area seniors 90 and over. Elder Abuse Awareness Week (May 18-24), a county-wide campaign that is utilizing the electronic media as well as highway billboards to raise awareness of the issue, will also be observed.

Ideas for county celebrations of Older Americans Month

The following is a list of ideas that your county may want to implement for Older Americans Month 1997 or in future years.

• Stage an event where a state or local government official proclaims May 1997 as Older Americans Month and/or presents an award to an outstanding older individual.
• Initiate a county-wide ribbon-wearing campaign to promote Older Americans Month '97. Have your staff and those you serve pass out ribbons - perhaps striped in red, white and blue - to show support and appreciation for older individuals and their caregivers during May. (When selecting a ribbon color for this effort, keep in mind that certain colors are already very closely associated with various causes, such as red for HIV/AIDS awareness and pink for breast cancer awareness.)
• If your county has an office of the aging, hold an open house in your facility. Invite the facility's neighbors, local officials and celebrities, the media, and the public to join you in an Older Americans Month celebration. Provide members of the media with the opportunity to interview a number of the people you serve.
• Hold a resource fair for caregivers in your area to provide them with the critical information they need to assist those that they care for and the support they themselves need, which will ultimately benefit those they care for as well.
• Implement a program to encourage individual volunteers, school children, faith groups or the local animal shelter to share their pets on an ongoing basis with the older individuals you serve. Research has shown that older people enjoy and respond well to interaction with friendly and loving animals.
• Work with social services agencies, local area school counselors and other appropriate sources to hold a resource fair, workshop or support group for older individuals who are raising children. Faced with a host of very rewarding, yet sometimes difficult challenges, these individuals could benefit from the support and encouragement of the aging network, as well as from those in similar circumstances.

(For more information, contact NACo's Aging Project at 202/942-4246.)

(County Services News was written by Kelly Schulman, research associate.)

Sample Resolution Proclaiming Older Americans Month in Your County

Whereas, senior adults are among our most prized resources in this county, contributing their knowledge, skills and experience to the community; and

Whereas, counties nationwide are preparing for the fastest growing aging population in the nation's history; and

Whereas, the fastest growing segment of the population is the "old old," people over the age of 85 who are typically those most in need of assistance in order to maintain their independence; and

Whereas, more and more older persons prefer to "age in place" and continue living in their own homes; and

Whereas, the average American is living longer than ever before, and more Americans of all ages are dealing with the issue of how to care for an older family member or friend who needs ongoing assistance; and

Whereas, this year's national theme for Older Americans Month is "Caregiving: Compassion in Action," which recognizes that caregivers form the foundation of a solid system of long term care in America and in __________ County; and

Whereas, it is important for local governments to support caregivers because of the important functions they carry out in the daily lives of our families and the significant role they play in ensuring our community's older adults can age with grace and dignity;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the ________ County Board of Commissioners/Freeholders/Supervisors, does hereby proclaim May 1997 as OLDER AMERICANS MONTH in _______ County, calling upon all citizens to honor elders during the year and to promote activities and services that contribute to the health, welfare, and independence of older citizens.