Older Americans Month Encourages Seniors to Play

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May 01, 2012, 11:00 ET

NCOA Celebrates Community Programs that Help Older Adults Stay Healthy and Secure

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is proud to support the Administration on Aging's (AoA) Older Americans Month in May as a way to help all older adults stay healthy and economically secure.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100615/NCOALOGO)

This year's theme—Never Too Old to Play—urges older adults to stay active, engaged, and involved in their lives and communities. Detailed information from AoA can be found here.

In honor of Older Americans Month, NCOA is asking aging services professionals and older adults across the country to share stories of programs in their community that help seniors live well. The following are just a sample of the responses:

Cherie Shields, Wichita, KS: Our Senior Employment Program helps seniors find part- or full-time work—staying active and "brain healthy" by keeping up with technology, people skills, and customer service ... and the money they make allows them to do activities to stay healthy and active.

Ninfa Quiroz, Seattle, WA: Sea Mar Community Health Centers has been successfully partnering with six senior centers in King County to help Latino seniors attend nutrition/socialization activities. This has helped many of them leave the isolation they face.

Cathy Drouin, Manchester, CT: The Manchester Health Department sponsors "Live Stronger-Moving for Better Balance." Taught by a physical therapist, this free twice-a-week exercise program helps some of Manchester's most vulnerable seniors stay healthy and independent by improving endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.

While there is a vast network of aging programs like these throughout the country, millions of today's seniors still struggle every day to stay healthy and make ends meet. Many are coping with multiple health conditions and find it difficult to pay for food, utilities, and other basic necessities on a fixed income.

NCOA offers several free programs and services designed to help older adults improve their health and economic security and connect them to services in their communities. Details are available at www.ncoa.org/OlderAdult.

NCOA also is advocating for Congress to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA), which funds critical, cost-effective community programs that allow seniors to stay healthy and independent. These include job training and placement (under the Senior Community Service Employment Program), health promotion and disease prevention, senior nutrition programs, senior centers, caregiver support, and more. Action in the Senate is expected soon.

"It's true that you're never too old to play, but good health and economic security are critical to making that a reality for today's seniors," said Jim Firman, president and CEO of NCOA. "I encourage all older adults to find out what programs and services are available to help them stay active and engaged, so they can keep on playing."

To share a story about programs and services for seniors in your community, please visit www.ncoa.org/OAM.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit: www.ncoa.org |www.facebook.com/NCOAging | www.twitter.com/NCOAging

SOURCE National Council on Aging