Agenda 8-d - Older Americans Month Proclamation

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themselves through new work and new passions. 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 Choices; Neighborhood Connections, Senior Rural Hunger; Senior Transportation and Mobility; Caregiver Support Team; and Community Visiting. With the recent Project EngAGE graduates the County is expanding the Senior Resource Teams to also include the areas of Mental Health and Aging; Long Term Care; Intergenerational Aging; Aging Policy and Advocacy; and LGBTQ and Aging. 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, the goal is 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. But 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 honor of this year’s theme, Engage at Every Age, everyone is challenged to get engaged by participating in activities that promote mental and physical wellness, offering wisdom and experience to the next generation, or seeking mentorship of someone with more life experience than you. No matter where you are in life there is no better time than now to start living life to the fullest. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the proclamation. 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. The 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. 2