Maryland Centenarian's Day is celebrated during Older Americans Month to recognize and honor the accomplishments and longevity of Maryland residents who are 100 years or older. According to estimates from the National Institute on Aging, the odds of living to one hundred have risen from approximately 1 in 20 million to 1 in 50 for women in some low-mortality nations. Additionally, if progress in reducing mortality continues at the same pace, children born today in low-mortality countries can expect to become centenarians.

"While the secret to eternal youth remains a mystery, our centenarians have so much wisdom to share and life lessons to teach us," said MDOA Secretary Carmel Roques, who will be honoring Maryland centenarians at the annual Centenarian Luncheon on May 11 hosted by the Maryland Centenarian's Committee. "I encourage all citizens to appreciate, protect, and provide comfort and stability for this growing population, their caregivers, and families."

Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day was developed by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in an effort to raise awareness of older adults’ mental health needs, highlight where to seek services if needed, and promote evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery supports.

ACL, along with the National Council on Aging, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, invites public health practitioners, professionals in the aging network, mental health providers, health care professionals, and anyone interested in ensuring the mental health of older adults to attend a free, all-day, virtual event featuring a diverse array of topics addressing the most pressing mental health needs in older adults. Click here to register for the symposium.

If you are having a mental health crisis and need help, call 988 to be connected to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline which encompasses all behavioral crisis services, including mental health and substance use problems. You can also dial 211 any time of day for a free and confidential service providing information, community resources, and referrals for a variety of health and human service issues.

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day was established in 2018 by the U.S. Congress to raise awareness of fraudulent schemes targeted at older adults and to improve methods for ensuring the safety of elderly U.S. residents.

Each year, an alarming number of older adults fall prey to financial fraud, losing approximately $36.5 billion annually. Some of these scams involve imposters pretending to be government agents who will try to gain access to personal details like Social Security or bank account numbers. Other times, scammers send text messages claiming a problem with an account, be it a credit card, bank account, or something else, in an effort to get login details.

Click here to read more about financial exploitation against older adults, how to spot whether one of your loved ones has been scammed, and how to report financial exploitation.

National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day is a time to pay tribute to the trailblazers who have paved the way for the LGBTQ community to live authentically and with dignity. It is also a day to call attention to the ongoing challenges facing the community, especially the aging LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) population that may find themselves in a vulnerable spot when they need care.

"LGBTQIA+ elders are more likely to experience isolation and face challenges and discrimination when it comes to employment, housing, health care, and in daily life," said Jeremy Browning, Administrative Director of the Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs which was formed by the 2021 General Assembly as part of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives. 

The Commission has been tasked with collecting data across state agencies on implementation of LGBTQ-inclusive policies, as well as complaints alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and making policy recommendations to legislative and administrative bodies.

National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day was established in Maryland in 2015 by Chase Brexton Health Care in collaboration with the national advocacy group SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). SAGE hosts an LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline at 1-877-360-LGBT (5428) to support line those in need. Click here to learn more about the Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs or email jeremy.browning@maryland.gov. 

Do you ever wonder if you should maintain your homeowners insurance after your house is paid off? This and other questions will be answered during Insurance 101 for Older Adults, a free webinar hosted by the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA). In addition to discussing homeowners insurance, the webinar will provide a brief review of Medicare and the Medicare Supplement products, insurance fraud, and how to use the MIA website. Registration is recommended but not required for this free event on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 from 12 pm - 1 pm. Click here for the registration link or call-in information.

Put on your sneakers for National Senior Health & Fitness Day! On the last Wednesday in May each year, approximately 100,000 senior adults will participate in activities across the United States for this national observance. The Maryland Department of Aging supports health promotion throughout the state through funding and monitoring of a variety of health promotion and disease prevention services including screenings, physical activity, health education, and other services. Many local organizations offer special events on this day to promote the importance of regular physical activity and help improve the health of older adults in their communities. Check with your local senior center to find out about health and fitness events in your area.

World No Tobacco Day was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, quitting smoking even if you're 60 or older and have been smoking for decades can improve your health and reduce the risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and lung disease. In addition to possibly adding years to your life, quitting tobacco use can also improve blood circulation, bring back a better sense of taste and smell, help you save money, and, best of all, set a healthy example for your children and grandchildren.

If you would like support to quit smoking, contact the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline at 877-448-7848 (877-44U-QUIT), smokefree.gov at 1-800-784-8669 (800-QUITNOW), or the Veteran's Smoking Quitline at 855-784-8838 (855-QUITVET). Click here to learn more about WHO and World No Tobacco Day.