"Older Americans Month"

          Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging District 7, Pamela Matura, announces that May is Older Americans Month in Ohio.  She states, “this is a time to extend special praise and show appreciation to our elders who have given us our rich heritage and made America what it is today.  They are the ones who have served in the armed forces or the ones who stayed behind and worked hard to get us where we are today.” 

          May 21sth is designated as Senior Citizens Day, a day set aside to celebrate and honor the many contributions Ohio’s older adults make to their communities.  Senior Citizens Day provides a special day for activities and celebrations which promote positive attitudes toward aging and recognize the active, healthy, and independent lives many older Ohioans lead.  For more information Director Matura suggests you contact your nearest senior citizens center or the Area Agency on Aging District 7 at 1-800-648-2575 for more details. 

          Older Americans Month began with Proclamation 3257, which President Kennedy issued on April 18, 1963, proclaiming the month of May to be Senior Citizens Month.  That original celebration established a tradition of promoting older Americans’ contributions to society as well as raising awareness of their special needs.  In 1980, President Carter changed the name of the month-long celebration to Older Americans Month.  It is especially meaningful, given that our nation is growing older at an impressive rate.    This provides all of us with the opportunity not only to focus on the contributions and needs of older Americans, but to think of how we as a nation need to prepare to meet the demands of the future.

          The Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. is a non-profit organization funded by the Older Americans Act with funds administered through the Ohio Department of Aging.  AAA7 serves senior citizens in Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton counties.  All services are rendered on a non-discriminatory basis.