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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-05-2016 - 4-a - Older Americans Month Proclamation 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 5, 2016 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: Older Americans Month Proclamation DEPARTMENT: Aging and Advisory Board on Aging ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Janice Tyler, Director, 245-4255 Older Americans Month Proclamation Alex Castro, 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 for 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 national theme is Blaze a Trail. The theme focuses on how older adults are leading and inspiring others; how we can support and learn from them; and how we might follow their examples to blaze trails of our own. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Older Americans Act into law in July 1965. Since that time, the Act has provided a nationwide aging services network and funding that helps older adults live with dignity in the communities of their choice for as long as possible. These services include senior centers, daily lunch programs, caregiver support, community-based assistance, preventive health services, elder abuse prevention, and much more. While the Department on Aging offers outstanding programs and services to older adults year- round, Older Americans Month offers an opportunity to emphasize how older adults can access the home- and community-based services they need to live independently in their communities. It is also an occasion to highlight how older adults are engaging with and making a difference in their communities. The Senior Leaders from Project EngAGE are shining examples of blazing new trails by engaging in their communities and reinventing themselves through new work and new passions. This work is organized into eight Senior Resource Teams working in the following areas: Faith Based Outreach; Senior Falls Prevention and Health Promotion; End of Life Options; Neighborhood Connections, Senior Rural Hunger; Senior Transportation and Mobility; Caregiver Support Team; and Community Visiting. 2 In 2016 there are over 25,000 Orange County residents who are 60+, and of that group, over 1,800 are over age 85. As large numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age, it is Department on Aging's goal to keep them physically and socially active through their 80s and beyond. Lifelong participation in community, social, creative and physical activities have proven health benefits, including retaining mobility, muscle mass and cognitive abilities. But older adults are not the only ones who benefit from their engagement in community life. Studies show their interactions with family, friends, and neighbors across generations enrich the lives of everyone involved. In honor of this year's theme, Blaze a Trail, everyone is challenged to get engaged with their community and blaze a trail of positive impact on the lives of people of all ages. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the proclamation. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. The Older Americans Act provides funding for senior centers, daily lunch programs, caregiver support, preventive health services, transportation and other community based assistance. • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. The County's Volunteer Connect 55+ program along with Project EngAGE is committed to engaging volunteers to assist in meeting the growing needs of older adults in the community. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation designating May as Older Americans Month and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation. 3 Orange County Board of Commissioners Proclamation Older Americans Month — May 2016 Theme - "Blaze a Trail" Whereas, Orange County includes over 25,000 persons aged 60 and older; and Whereas, Orange County includes a community of older adults who deserve recognition for their contributions to our nation; and Whereas, Orange County recognizes that older adults are trailblazers—advocating for themselves, their peers, and their communities–paving the way for future generations; and Whereas, Orange County is committed to raising awareness about issues facing older adults and helping all individuals to thrive in communities of their choice for as long as possible; and Whereas, we appreciate the value of inclusion and support in helping older adults successfully contribute to and benefit from their communities; and Whereas, our community can provide opportunities to enrich the lives of individuals of all ages by: • Promoting and engaging in activity, wellness, and social involvement. • Emphasizing home- and community-based services that support independent living. • Ensuring community members can benefit from the contributions and experience of older adults. Now Therefore, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May 2016 to be Older Americans Month and urge every resident to take time this month to acknowledge older adults and the people who serve them as powerful and vital individuals who greatly contribute to our community. This the 5th day of May, 2016. Earl McKee, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners