Older adults play vital, positive roles in our communities – as family members, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, members of the workforce, and more. Just as every person is unique, so too is how they age and how they choose to do it – and there is no “right” way. That’s why the theme for Older Americans Month (OAM) 2022 is Age My Way.

Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the celebration of OAM. Indiana’s Governor Holcomb has also proclaimed May as Older Americans Month. This year’s theme focuses on how older adults can age in their communities, living independently for as long as possible and participating in ways they choose.

While Age My Way will look different for each person, here are common things everyone can consider:

• Planning: Think about what you will need and want in the future, from home and community-based services to community activities that interest you.
• Engagement: Remain involved and contribute to your community through work, volunteer, and/or civic participation opportunities.
• Access: Make home improvements and modifications, use assistive technologies, and customize supports to help you better age in place.
• Connection: Maintain social activities and relationships to combat social isolation and stay connected to your community.

This year, IAAAA is excited to celebrate OAM with our partners in the aging community. Ensuring that older adults remain involved and included in our communities for as long as possible benefits everyone. Please join your local Area Agency on Aging in strengthening your community.

Pivot just might be the most frequent word we hear now related to COVID-19. It is the word we have all used to describe the changes we made in our work, home and other daily routines so they could be done remotely, distanced, touchless and otherwise safely. Pivot is how we all survived.

In early spring 2020, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across Indiana and the nation pivoted too. When Indiana shut down, our AAAs stepped up. We immediately galvanized to provide a front line of defense and services so older adults and persons with disabilities of any age could quarantine safely and comfortably in their homes. Driven by an intense sense of responsibility for vulnerable persons in our communities, we met the pandemic challenge with urgency and creativity, even prior to assurances of additional state and federal supports. We continue to adjust services on a weekly basis as COVID-19 data and local needs change in communities across Indiana. Some of our pivots included:Read More