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9 <br /> While the Department on Aging offers programs and services to older adults year-round, Older <br /> Americans Month offers an opportunity to emphasize how older adults can access the home <br /> and community-based services they need to live independently in their communities. It is also <br /> an occasion to highlight how older adults are engaging with and making a difference in their <br /> communities. Project EngAGE Senior Leaders are examples of how it is to Age Out Loud by <br /> engaging in their communities and reinventing themselves through new work and new <br /> passions. <br /> Their work is organized into eight Senior Resource Teams working in the following areas: Faith <br /> Based Outreach; Senior Falls Prevention and Health Promotion; End of Life Options; <br /> Neighborhood Connections, Senior Rural Hunger; Senior Transportation and Mobility; <br /> Caregiver <br /> Support Team; and Community Visiting. <br /> Today there are over 26,000 Orange County residents who are 60+ and, of that group, over <br /> 1,800 who are over age 85. As large numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age, it is a <br /> goal to keep them physically and socially active through their 80s and beyond. Lifelong <br /> participation in community, social, creative and physical activities have proven health benefits, <br /> including retaining mobility, muscle mass and cognitive abilities. Older adults are not the only <br /> ones who benefit from their engagement in community life - studies show their interactions with <br /> family, friends, and neighbors across generations enrich the lives of everyone involved. <br /> In conjunction with this year's proclamation, the Passmore and Seymour Centers are <br /> recognized for receiving national senior center accreditation. Of the 10,000+ senior centers in <br /> the nation, only 116 are nationally accredited. The Passmore and Seymour Centers join with <br /> only three other senior centers in NC to be recognized with this achievement. <br /> Janice Tyler recognized staff Myra Austin, Sidney Sims, Terry Colville and Shane <br /> McPherson. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos read the proclamation: <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> OLDER AMERICANS MONTH — MAY 2017 <br /> Theme - "Age Out Loud" <br /> Whereas, Orange County includes over 26,000 persons aged 60 and older; and <br /> Whereas, Orange County includes older Americans who richly contribute to our community; <br /> and <br /> Whereas, we acknowledge what it means "to age" has changed —for the better; and <br /> Whereas, Orange County is committed to supporting older adults as they take charge of their <br /> health, explore new opportunities and activities, and focus on independence; and <br /> Whereas, Orange County can provide opportunities to enrich the lives of individuals of all ages <br /> by: <br /> • Involving older adults in the redefinition of aging in our community; <br /> • Promoting home and community-based services that support independent living; <br /> • Encouraging older adults to speak up for themselves and others; and <br />