May is Older Americans Month! Join us and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) as we all celebrate the older adults in our lives!
This year's theme is "Communities of Strength," which aims to recognize the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities.
Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts in life but also small day-to-day ones—a conversation shared with a friend, gardening, trying a new recipe or simply having a cup of tea on a busy day. And when we share these activities with others—virtually, in person or on the phone—we help them build resilience too.
Here are simple ways to share and connect. Consider sharing them with caregivers and families.
- Look for joy in the everyday: Celebrate small moments and ordinary pleasures by taking time to recognize them. Start a gratitude journal and share it with others via social media, or call a friend or family member to share a happy moment or to say thank you.
- Reach out to neighbors: Even if you can’t get together in person right now, you can still connect with your neighbors. Leave a small gift on their doorstep, offer to help with outdoor chores or deliver a homecooked meal.
- Build new skills: Learning something new allows us to practice overcoming challenges. Take an art course online or try a socially distanced outdoor movement class to enjoy learning with others in your community. Have a skill to share? Find an opportunity to teach someone, even casually.
- Share your story: There’s a reason storytelling is a time-honored activity. Hearing how others experience the world helps us grow. Interviewing family, friends and neighbors can open up new conversations and strengthen our connections.
Here are some recommendations to help you celebrate and promote this month:
- Add the OAM logo to your online and print marketing materials.
- Add the masthead image and/or document header to brand documents, fliers and other materials.
- Display posters at your facility or electronically.
- Promote #OlderAmericansMonth across your social media platforms and update your cover image and profile picture with these images.
- Share your stories and experiences on how we're connected and strong by posting on your social media platforms.
- Encourage others in your community to take part in different activities in celebration of the month.
Feel free to share how you're celebrating by posting photos/videos in our Facebook and LinkedIn groups for senior care professionals or tagging @srgtexas in your post. For more resources, visit the official OAM website, follow ACL on Twitter and Facebook and join the conversation via #OlderAmericansMonth.