Ann Arbor In-Home Care Company Provides Suggestions on How to Celebrate Older Americans Month

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - May 24, 2014 - PRLog -- “Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow” is the theme for the 2014 Older Americans Month. Celebrated every May since 1963 by communities and organizations across the country, Older Americans Month recognizes and applauds the vibrant lives, legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans.

When President John F. Kennedy first designated May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, only about 17 million Americans were age 65 or older. Today, the number of U.S. seniors is approximately 41.4 million, or 13.3 percent of the total population. One of every eight Americans is a senior citizen, and the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2060, the number of older adults is expected to reach 92 million, or one of every five Americans. As the country’s senior population continues to rise, so does the need for honoring these individuals for their continued strength, wisdom and experience that they share with their communities and beyond.

Many political and religious leaders are seniors, and seniors continue to lead successful companies due to their seasoned experience that brings a fresh perspective to contemporary issues. Millions of other older adults have retired to volunteer as youth mentors, literacy coaches, animal therapy guides, foster grandparents, hospital ambassadors and as countless other positive role models. While many older adults choose to serve by building houses, immunizing children or overseeing service groups, other seniors are limited by health and other concerns but still make an invaluable impact through their histories, their stories and their optimism.

“We appreciate how Older Americans Month puts the spotlight on all elder adults who help inspire and challenge every one of us to lead lives of lasting purpose and giving back to others,” said Charles Williams, President and General Manager of Right at Home of Ann Arbor. “Because Right at Home serves many of our nation’s older unsung heroes, we encourage all Americans to especially note May as a time to extend special appreciation for our older family, friends and neighbors.” Right at Home of Ann Arbor, based in Metro Detroit Michigan, is a leading provider of in-home care and companionship to senior citizens and other adults.

This year’s “Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow” theme focuses on preventing unintentional injury to raise awareness about this issue that, when controlled, can result in seniors living longer, healthier lives. The Administration on Aging (AOA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living, sponsors the annual Older Americans Month, which received its current name via proclamation by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. The AOA emphasizes three main ways to support our seniors: (1) Nominate an older American who is a leader using his/her talents and expertise to make a worthwhile impact locally or in a broader scope; (2) host an event to highlight notable local seniors; (3) use social media to promote Older Americans Month via posts to Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Specific suggestions for involvement include the following:

- Arrange a service activity for older citizens to join together, such as collecting food for the homeless or reading to children.

- Set up a continuing education/speaker series, inviting seniors as experts, professors or authors in their fields to give presentations.

- Plant a community garden where people of all ages can get outdoors together and grow healthy, fresh ingredients for their meals.

- Invite older adults and others to a community-wide potluck meal. Participants can provide recipes to compile in a community cookbook.

- Coordinate an exercise/sports day for the community in which older citizens can join with those younger to participate in exercise and sports that promote staying in shape at any age.

- Arrange a dance, drama or music performance for older adults and their fellow community members to share their artistic talents.

- Paint a community mural as an artistic expression of all ages coming together to beautify their surroundings.

To find additional ongoing opportunities to celebrate and support older Americans, contact your local Area Agency on Aging, or visit the AOA website at www.aoa.gov or call 1-800-677-1116. The Older Americans Month website at acl.gov gives further practical ideas for unleashing the power and contributions of America’s more than 41 million older adults.

About Right at Home

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care and companionship and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with franchise offices located in 42 states nationwide and throughout the world. For more information on Right at Home, read the Right at Home caregiving blog at http://www.rightathome.net/blog.

About Right at Home of Ann Arbor

The Ann Arbor Michigan office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, Inc., providing in-home care to the communities of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Belleville, Plymouth, Chelsea, Dearborn, Canton, Dexter, and beyond. For more information, contact Right at Home of Ann Arbor at http://www.rightathome.net/washtenaw or by phone at (734) 971-5000.