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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-07-24; 4-a - Older Americans Month Proclamation 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 7, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: Older Americans Month Proclamation DEPARTMENT: Aging and Advisory Board on Aging ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Proclamation Janice Tyler, Director, 245-4255 Colin Austin, Chair, Advisory Board on Aging PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation joining Federal and State governments in designating the month of May 2024 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 Orange County Board of Commissioners has issued a proclamation for Older Americans Month. This year's national theme is Powered by Connection. It focuses on the profound impact that meaningful connections have on the well-being and health of older adults — a relationship underscored by the US Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community and recent report on "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" in the US. It is not just about having someone to chat with. It is about the transformative potential of community engagement in enhancing mental, physical and emotional well-being. By recognizing and nurturing the role that connectedness plays, everyone can mitigate issues like loneliness, ultimately promoting healthy aging for everyone. As everyone looks at aging through the Powered by Connection theme, it provides opportunities to: • Spread the word about mental, physical and emotional benefits of social connection and provides an opportunity to encourage friends and family to explore the opportunities that are available at the Seymour and Passmore Centers. • Promote opportunities to engage in local cultural, recreational and educational opportunities. • Connect older adults with local services, such as the Department on Aging, that can help them overcome obstacles to meaningful relationships and access to support systems that support aging well in community. • Benefit from making more connections, engaging in community and by giving back through volunteerism. Volunteerism and community engagement is vital for the future in meeting the growing needs of the older adult community. Communities find strength in people — and people find strength in their communities. • Form relationships. If anything was learned during the pandemic, it was that social isolation is deadly. An essential ingredient of aging well is being socially engaged and having 2 relationships enhances quality of life. Investing time with friends, family and community is good for yourself and those around you. In the community, older adults are a key source of strength. Through their experiences, successes, and difficulties, older individuals have built resilience that helps them to face new challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too. Ensuring that older adults remain involved and included in their communities for as long as possible benefits everyone. Today, aging is about eliminating outdated perceptions and redefining the way you want 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 they need to live independently in their communities. It is also an occasion to highlight how the community is involved in implementing the 2022-27 Master Aging Plan and the continuing efforts to develop Orange County as an Age Friendly Community. Today there are over 34,000 Orange County residents who are 60+, and of that group, over 2,000 are age 85+. As large numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age, it is the 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. 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. Everyone should celebrate aging and the journey! FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the proclamation. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, and 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. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation designating May 2024 as Older Americans Month and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation. 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION OLDER AMERICANS MONTH — MAY 2024 Theme — "Powered by Connection" Whereas, May is Older Americans Month, a time for us to recognize and honor the 34,000+ Orange County older adults and their immense influence on every facet of our daily lives; and Whereas, through their wealth of life experience and wisdom, older adults guide our younger generations and carry forward abundant cultural and historical knowledge; and Whereas, our older adults improve our communities through intergenerational relationships, community service, civic engagement, and many other activities; and Whereas, Orange County benefits when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds have the opportunity to participate and live independently; and Whereas,Orange County must ensure that our older adults have the resources and support needed to stay involved in their communities reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and connectedness; Now,Therefore,we,the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May 2024 as Older Americans Month, with this year's theme, "Powered by Connection", emphasizing the profound impact of meaningful interactions and social connection on the well-being and health of older adults in our community; and we call upon all residents to join us in recognizing the contributions of older adults and promoting programs and activities that foster connection, inclusion, and support of older adults. The 7th day of May, 2024. Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners