Older Americans Month

Each year, the month of May is proclaimed Older Americans Month throughout the nation. The Administration on Aging develops a theme for Older Americans Month and disseminates the theme to the entire aging network. Each year the President signs a proclamation regarding Older Americans Month in celebration of the achievements and contributions of the nation's older persons.

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. pays tribute to seniors each year during the month of May and affirms the skills and accomplishments of the older Americans residing in Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Local municipalities are asked to enact resolutions or proclamations declaring support for Older Americans month. Many activities take place during Older Americans Month in the planning and service area.

2010 Theme

This year's Older Americans Month theme - Age Strong! Live Long! - recognizes the diversity and vitality of today's older Americans who span three generations. They have lived through wars and hard times, as well as periods of unprecedented prosperity. They pioneered new technologies in medicine, communications, and industry while spearheading a cultural revolution that won equal rights for minorities, women, and disabled Americans.

These remarkable achievements demonstrate the strength and character of older Americans, and underscore the debt of gratitude we owe to the generations that have given our society so much. But the contributions of older Americans are not only in the past.

Older Americans are living longer and are more active than ever before. And with the aging of the baby boomer generation - the largest in our nation's history - America's senior population is expected to number 71.5 million by 2030.

While keeping the growing population of older Americans healthy and active will increase the demand for senior services, what is remarkable is the extent to which older Americans themselves are supporting each other. As the new generations of seniors become better educated and more financially secure than their predecessors, they are spending more time making significant contributions in their communities through civic and volunteer opportunities.

In fact, older Americans are a core component of service delivery to seniors - embodying and modeling the drive to

The annual commemoration of Older Americans Month is our opportunity to recognize the contributions of older citizens and join them in providing services and support that empower the elderly. Americans of all ages and backgrounds can volunteer with programs that improve health literacy, increase access to quality health services, offer food and nutrition services, provide financial and housing counseling, sponsor social activities and community engagement, and more. Contact the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc by calling 727-570-9696 to find out what you can do to strengthen services for older Americans, this month and all year round.