Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month. This is our opportunity to celebrate and recognize the

contributions of older adults and promote their health and independence. With an ever-increasing life expectancy, preserving one’s health and independence is increasingly important.

Older Americans Month was created in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and the National Council of Senior Citizens. It was created to recognize the challenges faced by

older adults, including the fact that at the time over one-third of older adults lived in poverty. It has been celebrated consistently since then. The Administration for Community Living leads the celebrations every year, choosing a new theme to highlight different issues faced by older adults.

This year, the theme for Older Americans Month is “Champion your Health.” Championing one’s health means many things. It means underscoring prevention, wellness and personal responsibility to promote a healthy and active lifestyle while aging. That includes taking an active role in your health to get health care proactively rather than reactively. Some examples of taking an active role in your health are having annual wellness checks, exercising and eating healthy.

How can Benefits in Action help? Obtaining benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a crucial lifeline to affordable health care and food to allow older adults to engage in preventative health care. For example, the average person in Colorado on SNAP receives almost $200 per month to spend on healthy food. Medicaid in the form of the Medicare Savings Plan, can save eligible older adults thousands of dollars that people would otherwise spend on Medicare Part B premiums. All of these cost savings allow people to focus on living their best life possible as they age.

Do you need assistance with benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, or Social Security? If so, contact Benefits in Action at 720-221-8354 or visit our website at benefitsinaction.org.

Our experienced navigators can help you get the benefits you qualify for to live the best life possible. Until next time, stay healthy and stay safe.