Agenda - 05-05-20; 4-a - Older Americans Month Proclamation

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2 These Leaders are making phone calls, picking up food, delivering senior center lunches, sewing facial coverings, and pitching in wherever there is an unmet need. The End of Life Choices Senior Resource team saw an unmet need and created a document to aid in emergency planning during this COVID-19 health crisis. This new document is not intended to replace persons' advanced directives, but is to be used as a tool to provide additional information should an individual be diagnosed with COVID-19. Seymour Center tech volunteers put their skills and creativity to work and transitioned very quickly into offering computer classes in a virtual environment. And lastly, with COVID-19 occurring during tax season, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteers should be congratulated for developing a secure process for assisting persons with tax preparation that does not involve a face to face appointment. Today there are over 29,000 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. With COVID-19, celebrations and activities honoring Older Americans Month are being curtailed, but staff and the Advisory Board on Aging still encourage older adults to "Make Your Mark." With social distancing and the Seymour and Passmore Centers not being opened in the foreseeable future, everyone is encouraged to stay connected through phone calls, virtual gatherings, and participate in the on-line opportunities. This is a time for all of us to "Make Our Mark" on the community by remaining resilient; calling neighbors; saying thank you to frontline workers; and promote a willingness to help the community recover from this pandemic and prepare everyone for whatever the new normal is. 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, adult day care 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.