This May, please join us in celebrating Older Americans Month
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared May as Older Americans Month. Fifty-five years later, we celebrate the most poignant and essential observance ever of that honored month.
Our older relatives, friends and neighbors have been most at risk during the COVID-19 crisis. That risk continues for them, even as states around the country — including our own Texas — begin to reopen. As some of us reclaim more normal lives, our elderly loved ones are still facing both a viral pandemic and a very real pandemic of isolation and loneliness. Let us take this month to recommit to reaching out and to providing companionship and connection in any way possible.
As our current President stated in his 2020 Proclamation on Older Americans Month:
"As [older Americans] continue to adhere to the special guidance put in place to protect them, we must acknowledge that far too many are facing hardships of loneliness and social isolation. ...During this precarious and stressful time, we must remember our treasured older adults and recommit to doing what we can to support and care for them."
The Administration for Community Living (ACL), part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, leads the annual observance of Older Americans Month. This year, they have provided useful resources to help us engage with our older loved ones and friends. We encourage you to visit the links below for an activity page and downloadable guide, which include suggestions such as helping your loved ones look up old friends on Facebook, or make new friends via virtual book clubs. We particularly love their sweet, When Harry Met Sally suggestion to dial up friends or family members and watch a streaming movie or television show "together.”
And remember that the compassionate caregivers from Overture are always here to provide companionship and daily assistance. Please contact us 24/7 for a free home care consultation: (817) 887-9401.
Sources / Resources:
ACL's Older Americans Month activities page: https://acl.gov/oam/2020/oam-2020-activity-ideas
ACL’s Older Americans Month downloadable resource guide: https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/oam/2020/EngageVirtually.pdf
2020 Presidential Proclamation on Older Americans Month: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-older-americans-month-2020/