The Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, Connect, Create, Contribute, encourages older adults and their communities to:
- Connect with friends, family, and local services and resources.
- Create through activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment.
- Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.
Each year, more and more older adults are making a positive impact in and around their communities. As volunteers, employees, employers, educators, mentors, advocates, and more, they offer insight and experience that benefit the entire community. That’s why Older Americans Month has been recognizing the contributions of this growing population for 56 years.
According to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, in Massachusetts, the number of residents who are over 60 years-old outweighs the number of residents younger than 20 years-old.1
At Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) we support and recognize older adults and their contributions and promote healthy aging through our programs. Some of these programs include:
- Healthy Living – These workshops provide tools and techniques to enable older adults to successfully manage a chronic condition or assist a loved one that may have a chronic condition. The Falls Prevention workshop includes tips to improve balance and the Saavy Caregivers Program helps caregivers learn to take care of themselves while caregiving.
- Nutrition – This program enhances the quality of life for older adults by providing nutritionally sound and satisfying meals. Meals are available at Community Dining meal sites located throughout the OCES service area. In addition to a nutritious meal, Community Dining provides older adults opportunities for socialization and education.
Home-delivered meals, more commonly known as Meals on Wheels (MOW), are also available. These meals are delivered to an individual’s home, provide a connection to the community and serve as a wellness check.
- Volunteer – People who volunteer tend to enjoy better health, have lower rates of depression while staying active and involved with others. OCES has volunteer opportunities at nonprofits, town agencies, schools and other community organizations.
These programs are not limited to older adults; they apply to individuals of all ages with disabilities. For more information on OCES programs, visit www.ocesma.org
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) promotes a caring society in which each of us, as we age, lives with dignity, purpose, and security. Communities that support and recognize older adults are stronger! Join us in strengthening our community, this May, and throughout the year.
Sources:
1Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2019.) Age-Friendly Massachusetts. Retrieved from https://www.mass.gov/service-details/age-friendly-massachusetts