HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-03-2011 - 4bORANGE couNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 3, X411
Action Agenda
Item No. ~ ° ~
SUBJECT: Older Americans Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Aging and Advisory Board on PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Aging
ATTACHMENT(S):
Older Americans Month Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Janice Tyler, Director, 968-ZO?1
HeatherAltman, Chair-Advisory
Board on Aging
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation joining Federal and State governments in designating
the month of May as older Americans Month and a time to honor older adults far their
contributions to society and to orange County.
BACKGROUND: May is Older Americans Month, a tradition dating back to 1963. For many
years the orange County Board of Commissioners has issued a proclamation for older
Americans Month, This year's theme is O1~erAmerlcans.~ Connecting fhe Commun~~y.
In 2411 there are over 19,000 Orange County residents who are 60+ years of age, and of that
group over 1,700 are over age 85.
Special Events being held throughout the month include, among many others:
• the Retired and Senior Volunteer Annual Recognition Luncheon honoring the over 640
volunteers who serve Orange County annually;
• the kick-off of the orange County Long Term Care Roundtable; and
• continuing events of the Orange County Senior Games.
Community residents are invited to visit the local Senior Centers and the Orange County
Department on Aging and see how they can connect with Orange County's community of older
adults.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the
proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION~S~: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
designating May as OlderAmericans Month and authorize the Chairta sign the proclamation.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Proclamation
Older Americans Month -May 2011
WHEREAS, Orange County is a community that includes over ~ 9,000 residents aged ~0 and
older and this population is the fastest growing segment of Orange County's population; and
WHEREAS, the older adults in Orange County are the roots Pram which our community
grows, who bestow gifts of wisdom and insight upon younger generations, and strengthen the
bonds between neighbors to create a better place to live; and
WHEREAS; our society can be enhanced by older adults aging peacefully in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, the older adults in Orange County should be commended for their role in
creating and bolstering the fiber of our community and nation; and
WHEREAS, our community can provide that recognition and respect by enriching the
quality of life for older Americans by:
Increasing their opportunities to remain in their communities as active and engaged
residents;
Providing services, technologies, and support systems that allow seniors to foster and
maintain connections within the community; and
Ernphasizing the value of elders by publicly recognizing their contributions to the
diversity, strength, and unity of our community; and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States and the Governor of North Carolina have
declared May as Older Americans Month and join in celebrating this year's theme elder
Americans: Connecting the Co~r~munr.`ty;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
proclaim May 2011 as Older Americans Month and urge all residents to take time this month
to honor our alder adults and the professionals, family members, and volunteers who care for
them. Our recognition of older Americans and their involvement in our lives can help us
achieve stronger and more meaningful connections with each other and enrich our
community's quality of life.
This the 3~~ day of May, 2011.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners