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<br />themselves through new work and new passions. Their work is organized into eight Senior <br />Resource Teams working in the following areas: Faith Based Outreach; Senior Falls Prevention <br />and Health Promotion; End of Life Choices; Neighborhood Connections, Senior Rural Hunger; <br />Senior Transportation and Mobility; Caregiver Support Team; and Community Visiting. With the <br />recent Project EngAGE graduates the County is expanding the Senior Resource Teams to also <br />include the areas of Mental Health and Aging; Long Term Care; Intergenerational Aging; Aging <br />Policy and Advocacy; and LGBTQ and Aging. <br /> <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, the goal <br />is 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. But older adults are not the <br />only ones who benefit from their engagement in community life. Studies show their interactions <br />with family, friends, and neighbors across generations enrich the lives of everyone involved. <br /> <br />In honor of this year’s theme, Engage at Every Age, everyone is challenged to get engaged by <br />participating in activities that promote mental and physical wellness, offering wisdom and <br />experience to the next generation, or seeking mentorship of someone with more life experience <br />than you. No matter where you are in life there is no better time than now to start living life to <br />the fullest. <br /> <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the <br />proclamation. <br /> <br />SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable <br />to this item: <br />• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY <br />The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary <br />for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their <br />dependents. <br /> <br />The Older Americans Act provides funding for senior centers, daily lunch programs, caregiver <br />support, preventive health services, transportation and other community based assistance. <br /> <br />• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION <br />Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and <br />volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. <br /> <br />The County’s Volunteer Connect 55+ program along with Project EngAGE is committed to <br />engaging volunteers to assist in meeting the growing needs of older adults in the community. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation <br />designating May as Older Americans Month and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation. <br /> <br />2