Celebrate Older American’s Month

Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. It is a time to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring older citizens.

This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age.

This May, join us as we recognize the 60th anniversary of OAM and challenge the narrative on aging. Here are some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound:

• Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.  
• Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes, and creative activities.
• Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
• Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.

For more information, visit the official OAM website, at www.acl.gov/oam.
 

Stroke Awareness 

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Strokes are a medical emergency, and every second counts, because time lost is brain lost.

Over the years, we have seen numerous instances of SHC Caregivers saving the day by acting quickly and dialing 911 upon noticing the signs of a client having a stroke. 

Know these stroke warning signs and share them with others: 

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don’t delay! Call 911 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number immediately. Also, check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. It’s important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. 

Source: American Heart Association