Press Releases
Recognizing Older Americans - Age Strong! Live Long!
An Op-Ed by Keith Myers, President
May is Older Americans Month - a tradition dating back to 1963 to honor the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans. These are men and women who through their talents, values and experience have paved the way for generations that followed, and today, continue to change the world for the better. I consider them a national treasure.
The theme of this year’s Older Americans Month is Age Strong! Live Long!, a theme that could not be any more fitting. With the aging of the baby boomer generation, the largest in our nation’s history, this country’s senior population is expected to exceed 71 million by the year 2030. Even further, Palm Beach County is considered the "epicenter of aging" given the exploding population of older adults in our area over the next few decades. Older Americans locally, regionally and nationally are living longer and more active than ever before, and from what I have seen, they are not willing to age without a fight!
Like other senior care organizations throughout this country, MorseLife is well-aware of the coming of this "Silver Tsunami," proactively gearing up to meet health care, housing and support service needs. From our research, we know that in the next two decades, the demand for long-term care will remain stable; the demand for short-term rehabilitation and independent living will double; and the demand for assisted living will triple. As for home care - those vital services that enable seniors to "age in place" in the comfort of home and community -- demand over the next twenty years may actually increase by 200%. We are fully cognizant of these trends and are ready to respond through expansion of programs and services, for example, with the building of a new short-term rehabilitation facility.
We also know that baby boomers will be redefining what it means to be retired, with the smarter companies and organizations finding ways to leverage the knowledge and talents of these treasured older adults as they make this life transition. At MorseLife, as an example, our approach to volunteer recruitment today is more about matching skills and talents to opportunities, rather than just assigning people to volunteer roles that may not be as stimulating or fit their needs and interests.
So, older Americans are aging strong and living long, with so much more to accomplish in their later years. I admire that in the people we serve on the MorseLife campus and in the community, and in my older friends and loved ones. And I also see my future and how I would like to be treated when I am in my later years.
What can you do to recognize older Americans today?
- First and most important, call or visit your parents, grandparents and other older relatives and remind them of how you value and love them. Visit older neighbors as well -- remember that many seniors, particularly widowed individuals who do not live in retirement communities, find lives filled with isolation as opposed to socialization.
- Volunteer at a senior center or organization that serves seniors. MorseLife has over 500 caring people of all ages who contribute their time, talents and passion.
- Make a donation to a charitable organization that is dedicating to make lives better for seniors.
Older Americans today and in the future and aging strong and living long - and they want to do so with dignity, respect and quality of life. Let’s all take the time to remember all that they are contributed to our society in their years, and thank them during this month and every day. They Are a National Treasure!
Keith A. Myers
President/CEO
MorseLife, Inc., West Palm Beach, Florida