Today’s seniors are amazing. They’ve defended our country, protested for equality, run marathons, written classic literature, composed soaring arias, and they keep making our world a better placer. We know, because at Brandermill Woods, we have some of the best seniors!
That’s why we want to celebrate Older Americans Month in May.
This special commemoration was established in 1963, when only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. During a meeting between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens, it was decided to designate May as Senior Citizens Month, which would become Older Americans Month.
“Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country,” according to the U.S. Census.
Who Are Our Older Americans?
The U.S. Census reports that America’s older population grew rapidly for most of the 20th century, from 3.1 million in 1900 to 35.0 million in 2000.
The average 60-year-old generally experiences much better health today than in the past. Consider this: In 1900 the average longevity in the United States was 47. In 2000, it was 77. Today, it is about 79.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the older population in the United States has grown twice as fast as the rest of the population in the last two decades. Today, about one in eight Americans is 65 years of age or older, with the growth expected to continue thanks to the Baby Boom generation (born 1946-1964).
Celebrating Older Americans
As a culture, we have grown older and should celebrate this longevity. Age is a state of mind, but experience is something you can’t get any except through the years. Seniors have so much wisdom and vitality to share.
We are not living in easy times for older Americans today. Because of the worldwide effort to mitigate and contain the coronavirus, many older adults have found themselves isolated and worried about their health. This month, as we celebrate longevity, we encourage everyone to check in on your older loved ones. Call you mother, or text a friend, or arrange a Facetime between grandparents and grandchildren.
This period won’t last forever. At Brandermill Woods, we are encouraged and inspired by our residents who have risen to the challenge with grace and good cheer. We are thankful for our Brandermill Woods seniors and glad to provide a community for you to keep growing and dreaming.
Cheers to all of our older Americans this month and always!
