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Get ready to celebrate Older Americans Month on May 1, a time to honor and appreciate the senior citizens in our lives. This month-long celebration has been around since 1963, when it was first established by President John F. Kennedy as Senior Citizens Month. It was later renamed to Older Americans Month in 1980, and has since been a time for communities to recognize the contributions and achievements of older adults. So let's take this opportunity to show our love and gratitude to the wise and experienced individuals who have shaped our society in countless ways!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1963</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Senior Citizens Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>President John F. Kennedy first established Senior Citizens Month to honor older Americans and their contributions to society.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rename to Older Americans Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>Senior Citizens Month was officially renamed to Older Americans Month, to more inclusively represent all Americans in their older age.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1999</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pastimes and Recreation Theme</div><div class='timeline-text'>For the first time, a themed approach was taken with “Older Americans: Our Stories Tell of Our Contributions”, showcasing the recreational activities that older Americans enjoy.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Age Out Loud</div><div class='timeline-text'>The theme "Age Out Loud" was introduced to give aging a new voice—one that reflects what today's older adults have to say about aging.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Covid-19 Pandemic Impact</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, various activities were moved to online platforms, such as virtual meetings and web seminars, to protect the health of older adults.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Communities of Strength</div><div class='timeline-text'>The theme "Communities of Strength" was chosen to honor the strength of older adults and the Aging Networks, their community of family, friends, and neighbors, which has kept us strong throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a senior talent show</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather the older members of your community and showcase their talents in a fun and entertaining talent show. This is a great way to celebrate their skills and bring people together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plan a day trip to a nearby attraction</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a group of seniors on a day trip to a local attraction, such as a museum, zoo, or botanical garden. This is a great way to get them out of the house and enjoy some new experiences together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a volunteer project for seniors</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get seniors involved in giving back to their community by organizing a volunteer project specifically for them. This could be anything from helping at a local food bank to knitting blankets for the homeless.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a senior game night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite seniors to a game night where they can play their favorite board games, card games, or even video games. This is a great way for them to socialize and have some fun.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a memory book</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather photos and stories from the older members of your community and put together a memory book for them to cherish. This is a great way to honor their lives and the contributions they have made.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors the contributions of older Americans</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Older Americans Month is a chance to celebrate and recognize the significant impact that older adults have on society. They have contributed to the growth and development of our communities, and it's important to acknowledge and appreciate their efforts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness about important issues facing seniors</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During Older Americans Month, there is often a focus on addressing challenges that older individuals may face, such as healthcare, social isolation, and financial security. This can help bring attention to these important issues and encourage support and change for older adults.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes intergenerational connections</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Older Americans Month reminds us of the valuable wisdom and experiences that older generations can offer. It also provides an opportunity for young people to learn from these individuals and forge meaningful connections across different age groups.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Symbolic Flower for Older American's Month is the Daisy</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Daisy is chosen as the symbol for Older Americans Month because it represents wisdom, innocence, youth, simplicity, and loyalty in different cultures.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Theme Concept Started in the Late 90s</h3><p class='facts-content'>While Older Americans Month has been celebrated since 1963, it wasn't until the late 1990s that the concept of each year having a distinct theme was introduced.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Senior Citizen's Day and Older Americans Month have Different Aims</h3><p class='facts-content'>While both celebrate older citizens, Senior Citizen's Day in August primarily focuses on acknowledging and showing gratitude to seniors. In contrast, Older American's Month aims to raise awareness about critical issues facing elder adults.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Each State Celebrates Differently</h3><p class='facts-content'>States uniquely celebrate Older Americans Month with activities ranging from award ceremonies and luncheons to fitness or educational campaigns catered towards senior citizens.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There's a Multipurpose Website for the Celebration</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Administration for Community Living (ACL) maintains a website where people can learn about Older Americans Month, access resources and find out about events.</p></div></div>
Older Americans Month is celebrated on May 1 every year. In 2024 Older Americans Month will fall on a Wednesday.
2023
May 1
Monday
2024
May 1
Wednesday
2025
May 1
Thursday
2026
May 1
Friday
2027
May 1
Saturday
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