Powered by Connection: Celebrating Older Americans Month 2024

May is Older Americans Month! Established in 1963 and led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Older Americans Month is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities.

This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is "Powered by Connection.” The theme focuses on the profound impact that meaningful connections have on the well-being and health of older adults — a relationship underscored by the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.

“Powered by Connection” is truly about the transformative potential of community engagement in enhancing mental, physical, and emotional well-being. By recognizing and nurturing the role that connectedness plays, we can mitigate issues like loneliness, ultimately promoting healthy aging for more Americans.

Connection is key to #OurCommitment. To our residents and their families, we are dedicated to making our communities not just a place to live but truly a home where the laughter of children echoing through the hallways is not only tolerated but encouraged. Because it means multiple generations are growing old together. We are dedicated to our value of socialization and creating an environment where families want to visit, not have to visit out of duty. And know when you are not here, your loved one is being cared for with dignity, as if they were our own family. 

Creating real communities that seniors can call home and encouraging families to visit regularly and become part of that community is what connection is all about. Encouraging socialization, one of our core values between residents, their families, our staff, and guests supports this commitment to connection. 

How To Acknowledge and Celebrate Older Americans Month? 

• Spread the word about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection through professional and personal networks.
• Encourage social media followers to share their thoughts and stories of connection using hashtag #PoweredByConnection to inspire and uplift.
• Promote opportunities to engage, like cultural activities, recreational programs, and interactive virtual events.
• Connect older adults with local services, such as counseling, that can help them overcome obstacles to meaningful relationships and access to support systems.
• Host connection-centric events or programs where older adults can serve as mentors to peers, younger adults, or youths.

What can individuals do to connect?

• Invite more connection into your life by finding a new passion, joining a social club, taking a class, or trying new activities in your community.  
• Stay engaged in your community by giving back through volunteering, working, teaching, or mentoring.
• Invest time with people to build new relationships and discover deeper connections with your family, friends, colleagues, or neighbors.

For more information, visit the official OAM website and follow ACL on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #OlderAmericansMonth.