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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: May 8, 2014 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 4 -b <br />SUBJECT: Older Americans Month Proclamation <br />DEPARTMENT: Aging and Advisory Board on PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />Aging <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Older Americans Month Proclamation <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Janice Tyler, Director, 245 -4255 <br />Heather Altman, Chair —Advisory <br />Board on Aging <br />1 <br />PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation joining Federal and State governments in designating <br />the month of May as Older Americans Month and a time to honor older adults for their <br />contributions to society and to Orange County. <br />BACKGROUND: May is Older Americans Month, a tradition dating back to 1963. For many <br />years the Orange County Board of Commissioners has issued a proclamation for Older <br />Americans Month. This year's national theme is Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow. The theme <br />focuses on injury prevention and safety to encourage older adults to protect themselves and <br />remain active and independent for as long as possible. On a national basis there are at least 6 <br />million unintentional injuries among older adults that result in 30,000 deaths every year. <br />With an emphasis on safety during Older Americans Month, County staff and the Advisory <br />Board on Aging are encouraging older adults to learn about the variety of ways they can avoid <br />the leading causes of injury, like falls. The Orange County Senior Centers offer a variety of <br />evidence based fitness programs that focus on balance and falls prevention. The Department <br />is reaching out to faith -based communities to co- sponsor senior exercise and balance classes. <br />The Department on Aging's Stay Up and Active program, in collaboration with the Orange <br />County Emergency Services Department, is a perfect example of agencies working together to <br />make the community a safer place to grow old. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) medics <br />conduct home safety inspections and refer at -risk seniors to the Department on Aging for <br />further assessment and services. <br />In 2014 there are over 22,000 Orange County residents who are 60+ and, of that group, over <br />1,600 are over age 85. As large numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age, the goal is to <br />keep them physically and socially active through their 80s and beyond. Lifelong participation in <br />social, creative and physical activities have proven health benefits, including retaining mobility, <br />muscle mass and cognitive abilities. Additionally, older adults are not the only ones who benefit <br />