Age Strong! Live Long!

Staff Reports

May is Older Americans Month — a tradition dating back to 1963 to honor the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter the next stage in life. The Land-of-Sky Regional Council, Area Agency on Aging is joining communities nationwide in celebrating this month with special activities and events.

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.

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 Land-of-Sky Regional Council, Area Agency on Aging at
(828) 251-6622 to find out what you can do to strengthen services for
older Americans, this month and all year round.