Agenda - 06-18-2024; 8-a - Minutes

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4 1 that meaningful connections have on the well-being and health of older adults — a relationship 2 underscored by the US Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection 3 and Community and recent report on "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" in the US. It is 4 not just about having someone to chat with. It is about the transformative potential of community 5 engagement in enhancing mental, physical and emotional well-being. By recognizing and 6 nurturing the role that connectedness plays, everyone can mitigate issues like loneliness, 7 ultimately promoting healthy aging for everyone. 8 9 As everyone looks at aging through the Powered by Connection theme, it provides opportunities 10 to: 11 • Spread the word about mental, physical and emotional benefits of social connection and 12 provides an opportunity to encourage friends and family to explore the opportunities that 13 are available at the Seymour and Passmore Centers. 14 • Promote opportunities to engage in local cultural, recreational and educational 15 opportunities. 16 • Connect older adults with local services, such as the Department on Aging, that can help 17 them overcome obstacles to meaningful relationships and access to support systems that 18 support aging well in community. 19 • Benefit from making more connections, engaging in community and by giving back 20 through volunteerism. Volunteerism and community engagement is vital for the future in 21 meeting the growing needs of the older adult community. Communities find strength in 22 people — and people find strength in their communities. 23 • Form relationships. If anything was learned during the pandemic, it was that social 24 isolation is deadly. An essential ingredient of aging well is being socially engaged and 25 having relationships enhances quality of life. Investing time with friends, family and 26 community is good for yourself and those around you. 27 28 In the community, older adults are a key source of strength. Through their experiences, 29 successes, and difficulties, older individuals have built resilience that helps them to face new 30 challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too. Ensuring that older adults 31 remain involved and included in their communities for as long as possible benefits everyone. 32 Today, aging is about eliminating outdated perceptions and redefining the way you want to age. 33 34 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Older Americans Act into law in July 1965. Since that 35 time, the Act has provided a nationwide aging services network and funding that helps older adults 36 live with dignity in the communities of their choice for as long as possible. These services include 37 senior centers, daily lunch programs, caregiver support, community-based assistance, preventive 38 health services, elder abuse prevention, and much more. 39 40 While the Department on Aging offers outstanding programs and services to older adults year- 41 round, Older Americans Month offers an opportunity to emphasize how older adults can access 42 the home- and community-based services they need to live independently in their communities. 43 44 It is also an occasion to highlight how the community is involved in implementing the 2022-27 45 Master Aging Plan and the continuing efforts to develop Orange County as an Age Friendly 46 Community. 47 Today there are over 34,000 Orange County residents who are 60+, and of that group, over 2,000 48 are age 85+. As large numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age, it is the goal to keep them 49 physically and socially active through their 80s and beyond. Lifelong participation in community, 50 social, creative and physical activities have proven health benefits, including retaining mobility,