Agenda - 05-16-2017 - 4-c - Older Americans Month Proclamation

Browse Search

2 Their work is organized into eight Senior Resource Teams working in the following areas: Faith Based Outreach; Senior Falls Prevention and Health Promotion; End of Life Options; Neighborhood Connections, Senior Rural Hunger; Senior Transportation and Mobility; Caregiver Support Team; and Community Visiting. Today there are over 26,000 Orange County residents who are 60+ and, of that group, over 1,800 who are over age 85. As large numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age, it is a goal to keep them physically and socially active through their 80s and beyond. Lifelong participation in community, social, creative and physical activities have proven health benefits, including retaining mobility, muscle mass and cognitive abilities. Older adults are not the only ones who benefit from their engagement in community life - studies show their interactions with family, friends, and neighbors across generations enrich the lives of everyone involved. In conjunction with this year's proclamation, the Passmore and Seymour Centers are recognized for receiving national senior center accreditation. Of the 10,000+ senior centers in the nation, only 116 are nationally accredited. The Passmore and Seymour Centers join with only three other senior centers in NC to be recognized with this achievement. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the proclamation and recognition of the national senior center accreditation. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. The Older Americans Act provides funding for senior centers, daily lunch programs, caregiver support, preventive health services, transportation and other community based assistance. • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. Orange County's Volunteer Connect 55+ program along with Project EngAGE is committed to engaging volunteers to assist in meeting the growing needs of older adults in the community. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation designating May as Older Americans Month and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation, and also recognize the national accreditation of the Passmore and Seymour Centers, based on the efforts of Department on Aging staff, with the presentation of the accreditation plaques.