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Senior Citizen Groups Urged to Participate in Older
Americans Month
 Administration
on Aging issues strategies, materials for local events
April 24, 2006 – With Older Americans Month set to
begin on May 1, the Administration on Aging is providing help to
organizations that want to sponsor events in their communities.
The theme, which has changed since January, is "Choices for
Independence," which highlights the need for mid-life and older persons to make thoughtful
choices that can help them remain healthy, productive, and financially
secure in their later lives, according to AoA.
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Related Stories |
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Facts about Senior Citizens
Packaged by Census
Bureau
May is Older Americans Month and
here are facts seniors may not know
April 26, 2006 - Older Americans Month originated
with a presidential proclamation in May 1963 and has been proclaimed by
presidents each year since. Last year, President Bush stated, “Older
Americans teach us the timeless lessons of courage, sacrifice and love.
By sharing their wisdom and experience, they serve as role models for
future generations. During Older Americans Month, we pay tribute to our
senior citizens and their contributions to our nation.”
Read more...
Older Americans Month 2006 Has Theme of Healthy
Aging
Editor's Note: The story below ran in January 2006 and the theme
has now changed.
Jan.
27, 2006 – Older Americans Month, which will be celebrated again in May
of this year, has never really found itself or established a real
purpose, other than reminding us there is a growing number of senior
citizens in America. The theme for this year – announced yesterday by
the official sponsor, the Administration on Aging – is “Independence +
Dignity + Choice = Healthy Aging.” The agency also introduced the new
logo. Read
more...
Winners
Named in Older American Photo Contest by Administration on Aging
May 23, 2005 – Winners of the 2005 Older Americans
Month National Photo & ssay Contest were announced today and the top
winner was Shari Augins of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with “Focus on Senior
Citizens Center.” Winners are being honored tonight in Washington D.C.
by the Administration on Aging as part of "Older American Month."
Read more...
Older Americans Month in May Features Walk on
National Mall
This year’s theme is “Celebrate Long-Term Living”
March
29, 2005 - This May, the celebration of Older Americans Month, will
carry the theme "Celebrate Long-Term Living," which was selected to
"honor older Americans as a national treasure, and to highlight the need
for mid-life and older persons to be prepared to live longer than
previous generations," according to the Administration on Aging. To
promote this year’s event older Americans and government agencies that
serve them will join with the AoA on May 4 for a 30-minute walk on the
National Mall in Washington DC. AoA will also provide tools and tips for
healthy living, refreshments “and more!”
Read more...
Read more
Features for Seniors |
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"You and your organization play an important role
in helping to publicize and celebrate OAM," says the AoA Website, which
is urging local participation.
The AoA says the following suggestions may help
local groups to plan their own OAM 2006 event.
Issue a proclamation.
Ask your Governor, mayor, or other local official
to support OAM by issuing a proclamation. You can adapt the sample
proclamation (click
to sample) provided by the AoA by inserting local demographic
information. Offer to assist the public official in any way that would
help, such as by planning and holding a news conference for the event.
Invite your community partners to participate.
Make it visual.
The logos included on the AoA Web site serve as
eye-catching reminders of OAM and the individuals we celebrate in
May—older Americans, their caregivers, service providers, family, and
friends. Feel free to display the OAM logo in all print materials you
design for local use. Include it in press releases, proclamations, and
special materials that you develop. The logo will create a recognizable
identity to link different events throughout the month, and it will help
raise awareness nationwide.
Click here it access the OAM poster
Host a special event.
There are many kinds of events that could celebrate
OAM, thank your supporters, and showcase your programs and services.
Area older citizens, along with their friends and families, can learn
about new programs while engaging in fun and healthy activities. The OAM
theme, Choices for Independence provides an excellent backdrop for
celebratory events.
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36.3 million
The number of people 65 and older in US
on July 1, 2004. |
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86.7 million
Projected population of people 65 and
older in 2050.
Click to more... |
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Event ideas include:
● Organize a senior festival or fair. Whether it
is 1 day or an entire week, festivals are often popular events and can
be adapted to various settings such as a community center, gym, church,
library meeting room, or health care facility. Invite commercial and
health care-related vendors and ask them to host educational seminars or
fun activities targeting seniors.
● Set up an OAM celebration table at a popular
shopping center and staff it with organization representatives who can
answer questions about programs and services. Many seniors can be found
strolling through shopping malls and, best of all, information tables
can be staffed in any type of weather.
● Sponsor a Choices for Independence walk. Ask a
local newscaster, elected official, or community leader to serve as a
spokesperson and contact local businesses about sponsorship
opportunities or incentive donations.
● Conduct a series of healthy weight and
nutrition sessions and offer incentives for graduates. Incentives can be
as simple as a certificate or as elaborate as gifts and a recognition
ceremony.
● Organize an intergenerational event. Sponsor a
dance or other activity that provides an opportunity for
cross-generational exchange. Consider approaching other aging services
organizations about partnering or sharing responsibilities.
● Adopt a local garden. Find a public garden
that is available for groups to maintain and give older adults a workout
in the process. Even better, grow fruits and vegetables and use them in
a tasty dish.
● Plan a senior picnic. Everyone loves a cookout
during the warm days in the spring. Find a local park or recreation
center and serve grilled chicken, vegetables, and fresh salads. Don’t
forget to involve the community. Ask local businesses to donate
T-shirts, visors, and food.
●
Click here for a customizable flyer that can be used to promote and
publicize your celebrations.
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Logo, Theme Change |
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 The
original theme for this year selected by the official sponsor,
the AoA – was originally “Independence + Dignity + Choice
= Healthy Aging.”
It has, however, changed since the January announcement. |
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Outreach to the News Media
Provide news releases to inform the media that May
is OAM and to announce events, issues, and initiatives.
AoA has created a sample “Swiss-cheese” OAM press
release that provides a framework that you can customize with
information from your organization.
If you host a special event or activity during the
month, you can use the Swiss cheese press release as a guide to
developing your own message to the media about your specific event.
Remember to communicate the news value of your event in the first
paragraph by covering Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.
Click here to news release.
Fax your press release to the news or feature
editors of your local newspapers, television, and radio stations, as
well as to reporters on the beat who have previously covered your
organization or events.
Give the media plenty of time to plan their
coverage—at least 3 days before the event. And, most important, provide
a contact whom journalists can call to get additional information. The
contact could be from your office or organization, or a knowledgeable
outside source who knows the issues.
For additional information on working with the
media, AoA is pleased to provide a Media Advocacy Toolkit on its Web
site. This toolkit includes resources for framing your messages to the
media, developing a media list, nurturing and caring for reporters, and
more.
Click to Toolkit.
More links to AoA:
Materials & Downloads
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Strategies for Promoting Older Americans
Month 
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Good Nutrition Is Essential
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Take Control of Your Health
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Is Adopting a Pet the Right Choice for You?
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Sample Proclamation
·
Sample Press Release
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Customizable Flyer
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Logos
·
Posters
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this subject
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