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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-02-2019 - 4-a - Older Americans Month Proclamation 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 2, 2019 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: Older Americans Month Proclamation DEPARTMENT: Aging and Advisory Board on Aging ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Older Americans Month Proclamation Janice Tyler, Director, 245-4255 Margaret Cohn, Chair, Advisory Board on Aging PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation joining Federal and State governments in designating the month of May 2019 as Older Americans Month and a time to honor older adults for their contributions to the community. BACKGROUND: May is Older Americans Month, a tradition dating back to 1963. For many years the Board of Commissioners has issued a proclamation for Older Americans Month. This year's national theme is Connect, Create, Contribute. The theme emphasizes that no one is ever too old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in their communities. It encompasses the idea that getting older does not mean what it used to. For many aging Americans, it is a phase of life where interests, goals and dreams can get a new and second start. Today, aging is about eliminating outdated perceptions and redefining the way each individual wants to age. 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 needed 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. Project EngAGE Senior Leaders are shining examples of how it is to Connect, Create, Contribute by connecting in their communities and reinventing themselves 2 through creating new projects and contributing to their community. Their work is organized into thirteen Senior Resource Teams working in the following areas: Faith Based Outreach; Senior Falls Prevention and Health Promotion; End of Life Choices; Neighborhood Connections, Senior Rural Hunger; Senior Transportation and Mobility; Caregiver Support Team; Community Visiting; Mental Health and Aging; Long Term Care; Intergenerational Aging; Aging Policy and Advocacy; and LGBTQ and Aging. Today there are over 28,000 Orange County residents who are 60+ and, of that group, over 1,800 who are over age 85. As large numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age, it is a goal to keep them physically and socially active through their 80s and beyond. Lifelong participation in community, social, creative and physical activities has proven health benefits, including retaining mobility, muscle mass and cognitive abilities. 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, Connect, Create, Contribute, everyone is challenged to get connected by participating in activities that promote mental and physical wellness, offering wisdom and experience to the next generation as everyone works to create the best community possible, and contribute to the community by seeking mentorship of someone with more life experience. No matter where an individual is in life, there is no better time than now to start living life to the fullest. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the proclamation. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County 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, adult day care 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 2019 as Older Americans Month and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation. 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION Older Americans Month— May 2019 Theme - "Connect, Create, Contribute" Whereas, Orange County includes almost 28,000 persons aged 60 and older who enrich our community through their diverse life experiences; and Whereas, Orange County is committed to strengthening our community by connecting with and supporting older adults, their families, and caregivers and acknowledging their many valuable contributions to society; and Whereas, Orange County recognizes the importance of bringing together all generations and engaging in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being for the benefit of all; and Whereas, Orange County can enhance the lives of older Americans in our community by: • Promoting home and community based services that support independent living; • Involving older adults in community planning, events, and other activities; and • Providing opportunities for older adults to work, volunteer, learn, lead and mentor; Now Therefore, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May 2019 to be Older Americans Month, and urge every resident to take time this month to recognize older adults and the people that serve them as essential and valuable members of our community. This the 2nd day of May, 2019. Penny Rich, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners