May is “Older Americans Month”. It was originally designated by President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens as “Senior Citizens Month,” in April 1963 to raise awareness about the plight of citizens over 65. At the time, one-third of all seniors lived in poverty with few social programs available to help support them. 

Two years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Older Americans Act of 1965 and formally declared May as Older Americans Month. The act did much more than raise awareness or encourage community involvement. It resulted in positive change including financial assistance and federal support for older Americans.

Johnson expanded Kennedy’s proclamation further by instituting positive change, financial assistance, and federal support for older Americans.

The 1965 Older Americans Act: 

  • Established the Administration on Aging, the first federal agency designed to address the struggles of older Americans  
  • Introduced nutrition programs, transportation assistance, federally funded adult day care, legal assistance, and other services for seniors   
  • Paved the way to passing the Medicare program to offer health care to seniors 

Every president since Johnson has offered a formal proclamation declaring May as a time to remember and honor older Americans. Communities organize events, fairs, and fundraisers focusing on seniors. 

In 2022, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) will be focusing on aging in place – how older adults can plan to stay in their homes and live independently in their communities for as long as possible. The 2022 theme for this month is Age My Way, an opportunity for all of us to explore the many ways older adults can remain in and be involved with their communities. 

According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey about 16.5% of the U.S. population is over 65. Montgomery County counts 15.5% of the population as over 65. Statistics for the greater Poolesville area put almost 30% of the population in the over 50 target audience served by Poolesville Seniors.