May is Older Americans Month—a time to celebrate and pay tribute to older people across the country. Every year since 1992, the Administration on Aging has selected a theme for Older Americans Month. The theme for May 2016 is Blaze a Trail. The Administration for Community Living website contains a list of past themes.
This guide is designed to assist congressional offices with work-related Older Americans Month celebrations. It contains a brief history with resources for additional historical, legislative and budget information, CRS reports, examples of speeches and recognitions from the legislative branch, presidential proclamations, and statistics and projections from authoritative government sources. The sections "Resources for Older Americans," "Educational Opportunities for Seniors," and "Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors" contain selected resources that may be of interest to constituents.
President John F. Kennedy designated May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month to pay tribute to citizens aged 65 and older. President Jimmy Carter changed the name to Older Americans Month in 1980. The Administration for Community Living website contains additional history of Older Americans Month.
The Older Americans Act (OAA) was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 14, 1965, and supports a range of social services and programs for individuals aged 60 years or older.
Congress has reauthorized and amended the OAA numerous times since it was first enacted. Most recently, President Barack Obama signed P.L. 114-144, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016, on April 19, 2016. The law reauthorized the OAA through FY2019.
The Older Americans Act (P.L. 89-73)
The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-144)
Current Budget Information (Administration for Community Living)
The Congressional Research Service has prepared several reports that explain or address issues of concern to older Americans. Some of these include
CRS Report R43414, Older Americans Act: Background and Overview, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].
CRS Report RS22549, Older Americans Act: Funding Formulas, by [author name scrubbed].
CRS Report R43707, The Elder Justice Act: Background and Issues for Congress, by [author name scrubbed].
CRS Report R40425, Medicare Primer, coordinated by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].
CRS Report R42035, Social Security Primer, by [author name scrubbed].
CRS In Focus IF10322, Medicaid Primer, by [author name scrubbed].
Members of Congress often make floor statements, issue press releases, or enter Extensions of Remarks into the Congressional Record to recognize federal holidays and observances. The following are some recent examples that may be of assistance in preparing such statements:
Representative Raul M. Grijalva, "Honoring Senior Corps Week and the Service of Older Americans," Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 161 (May 18, 2015), p. E733.
Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Recognizing Older Americans Month," press release, May 1, 2014.
Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, "Older Americans Month," Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 160 (May 1, 2014), p. E657.
Representative Suzanne Bonamici, "Rep. Bonamici Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing May as Older Americans Month," press release, May 22, 2014.
Representative Daniel B. Maffei, "Older Americans Month," Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 159 (May 23, 2013), p. E742.
Representative Vern Buchanan, "Celebrating Older Americans Month," Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 159 (May 7, 2013), p. E606.
One of the many uses of a presidential proclamation is to ceremoniously honor a group or call attention to certain issues or events. Some recent Older Americans Month proclamations, from the Compilation of Presidential Documents, include
Proclamation 9268-Older Americans Month, 2015
Proclamation 9114–Older Americans Month, 2014
Proclamation 8971–Older Americans Month, 2013
Proclamation 8809–Older Americans Month, 2012
Earlier presidential proclamations are available through the Federal Digital System (FDsys) on the Government Publishing Office website.
Numerous federal agencies maintain statistics on the elderly. Some useful data include
U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features: Older Americans Month, May 2016.
Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics, Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well Being.
Administration on Aging, A Profile of Older Americans: 2013. (Previous profiles are available on the Administration on Aging website.)
A vast number of resources exist to directly help and inform older Americans and their caregivers. Some of these are
Aging and Disability Resource Center Directory
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
National Council on Aging, Benefits CheckUp
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)
Numerous programs are available to seniors to provide educational and fun experiences. Two well-established resources are
Educational Opportunities for Seniors
Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel)
Active seniors may enjoy sharing their knowledge and skills by volunteering to help others. The following selections provide diverse volunteer opportunities, including some for living and volunteering abroad: