 Celebrating Older Americans Month: Powered by Connection
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by a federal agency, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities.
This year’s theme, "Powered by Connection," focuses on the profound impact that meaningful connections have on the well-being and health of older adults — a relationship underscored by the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (hhs.gov).
It's not just about having someone to chat with. It's about the transformative potential of community engagement in enhancing mental, physical, and emotional well-being. By recognizing and nurturing the role that connectedness plays, we can mitigate issues like loneliness, ultimately promoting 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, like cultural activities, recreational programs, and interactive virtual events.
- Connect older adults with local services, such as counseling, that can help them overcome obstacles to meaningful relationships and access to 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 to build new relationships and discover deeper connections with your family, friends, colleagues, or neighbors.
- Take time to hear the wonderful stories and knowledge of older adults. If it wasn’t for their work and knowledge, where would we be today.
Feel free to share these Steele County-specific resources with clients:
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Healthy Seniors of Steele County also provides Matching for Senior Companions, an opportunity for volunteers to be matched with seniors in our community. Please contact Healthy Seniors at (507) 774-7648 for more information.
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BUNCO, hosted by Healthy Seniors of Steele Couty on the 1st Monday of every month at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna
- City of Owatonna, Parks & Recreation Department, has a Spring/Summer Activity Guide with 50+ activities on pages 2-3.
- Senior Alliance for Steele County will be hosting an information and discussion opportunity in the community titled “What can Public Health do for you?” with speakers from Steele County Public Health on Thursday, May 16th at 6:00pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna.
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