May is Older Americans Month, a time to honor the incredible contributions of our nation's older adults. Although we celebrate older Americans every month at Archstone Foundation, we are excited about this year’s theme, "Powered by Connection." It resonates deeply for us, as we recognize the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on the health and well-being of older adults.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) established Older Americans Month (OAM) in 1963 to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving older adults in our communities. Celebrated every May, OAM is a time to engage community groups, businesses, and organizations, as well as individuals, to feature and connect with people aged 65 and over, a growing population that will make up almost a quarter of the U.S. population in the next 20 years (up from 18% today).
"Powered by Connection" underscores the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory: The Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. At Archstone Foundation, the importance of connection goes beyond social interactions to forming important connections across health and social care settings. Not only is it important for older adults’ health care and community-based providers to connect with one another to coordinate care, but also, it is essential for older adults and their caregivers to be connected and engaged in their own care. Fostering connections and relationships among the many care team members is foundational to improving care coordination and person-centered care.
We are proud to support organizations that foster mental, physical, and emotional well-being by serving older adults and their caregivers in their communities in varied and culturally appropriate ways. Whether as food distribution providers, case managers, digital literacy trainers, community health workers, health care providers, friendly visitors, and more, we commend our partners for recognizing and nurturing the role that connectedness plays. Together, we can mitigate issues like loneliness and social isolation, and promote healthy aging for more Americans.
How can community groups, businesses, and organizations mark OAM?
- Spread the word about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection through professional and personal networks.
- Encourage social media followers to share their thoughts and stories of connection using hashtag #PoweredByConnection to inspire and uplift.
- Promote opportunities to engage, such as cultural activities, recreational programs, and interactive virtual events that are available to older people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds throughout their communities.
- Connect older adults with local services, such as counseling, that can help them overcome obstacles to establishing meaningful relationships and accessing support systems.
- Host connection-centric events or programs where older adults can serve as mentors to peers, younger adults, or youths.
What can individuals do to connect?
- Invite more connection into your life by finding a new passion, joining a social club, taking a class, or trying new activities in your community.
- Stay engaged in your community by giving back through volunteering, working, teaching, or mentoring.
- Invest time with people of all ages to build new relationships and discover deeper connections with your family, friends, colleagues, or neighbors.
For more information, visit the official OAM website and follow ACL on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #OlderAmericansMonth. Stay tuned throughout May for informative posts, engaging events, and inspiring stories as we celebrate the power of connection!
