Designating May 2024 as “Older Americans Month”.

Designating May 2024 as “Older Americans Month”.

Whereas President John F. Kennedy first designated May as “Senior Citizens Month” in 1963;

Whereas, in 1963, only approximately 17,778,000 individuals living in the United States were 65 years of age or older, approximately ¹⁄3 of those individuals lived in poverty, and few programs existed to meet the needs of older individuals in the United States;

Whereas, in 2023, there were more than 59,248,361 individuals who were 65 years of age or older living in the United States and those individuals accounted for 17.7 percent of the total population of the United States;

Whereas approximately 11,216 individuals in the United States turn 65 years of age each day;

Whereas, in 2023, more than 8,402,856 veterans of the Armed Forces were 65 years of age or older;

Whereas older individuals in the United States rely on Federal programs, such as programs under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), including the Medicare program under title XVIII of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) and the Medicaid program under title XIX of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), for financial security and high-quality affordable health care;

Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) provides—

(1) supportive services to help older individuals in the United States maintain maximum independence in the homes and communities of those individuals; and

(2) funding for programs that promote social connection and improve the health and wellbeing of older individuals, including nutrition services, transportation, and care management, which assist more than 10,000,000 older individuals in the United States each year;

Whereas, as local aging network leaders, Area Agencies on Aging are critical partners in the healthy aging continuum;

Whereas, in 2023, an estimated 6,774,000 individuals in the United States who were 65 years of age or older continued to work as full-time, year-round employees;

Whereas older individuals in the United States play an important role in society by continuing to contribute their experience, knowledge, wisdom, and accomplishments;

Whereas older individuals in the United States play vital roles in their communities and remain involved in volunteer work, the arts, cultural activities, and activities relating to mentorship and civic engagement;

Whereas more than 143,000 older individuals serve as AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Companion Program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, helping communities by mentoring and tutoring children, providing independent living support and companionship to other older adults, addressing food insecurity, and more; and

Whereas a society that recognizes the success of older individuals and continues to enhance the access of older individuals to quality and affordable health care will—

(1) encourage the ongoing participation and heightened independence of older individuals; and

(2) ensure the continued safety and well-being of older individuals: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,