In May of 1963, President John F. Kennedy established the first annual Older Americans Month. Originally intended to be a time to recognize older Americans’ contributions and reaffirm commitments to serving older adults in our communities, this observance has changed a lot in the 63 years since. This year, the theme of Older Americans Month is “Champion Your Health” and to celebrate, 33n is highlighting some trends that impact healthy aging in the region, such as:
- Getting preventive care: Today 98.5% of people 65 and over in the region have the health insurance necessary to afford preventive screenings, but what did the healthcare landscape look like for seniors before Medicare?
- Building social connections: Over 162,000 people ages 65 and over live alone in the 11-County Atlanta Region, and social connections can be harder to maintain when people are isolated. What is Atlanta Regional Commission doing to help older adults stay connected?
- Eating nutritious foods: Receiving food stamps can make it easier to buy healthier foods on a fixed income, but the USDA estimates that nationally only about 47% of older adults who are eligible for the program are enrolled. Where else can seniors get nutritious foods in the Atlanta metro?
Answers to these questions and more can be found in this slide deck or by clicking through the slideshare below!