By Alexandra Newman
As you’re reading this column you’re probably looking forward to (or recovering from) an event celebrating Independence Day.
When I think about the people who fought for our county’s independence nearly 250 years ago, I can’t help but draw a small comparison with the people around the country who are fighting right now for the independence of older adults.
Family, friends, coworkers, and caregivers – advocates of all kinds. Even most of our elected officials stand behind our mission: Offering Choices for Independent Lives.
Right now, we’re advocating for robust funding and support for the programs enabled by the Older Americans Act, which remains the cornerstone of services that help older adults live with dignity and independence. We’re fighting to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. We’re fighting for the millions of older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers around the country that need the support of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to live independently.
Last week, our national organization, USAging, launched a new campaign called “Helping You Live Long and Stay Strong.”
The public service announcements are aimed at raising awareness about Area Agencies on Aging around the country.
For their first video, they came to film here with us at Region IV, a leader and model for other AAAs since our founding in 1974.
The video features interviews with a local AAA client, Joan, who I wrote about in one of these columns back in April, our CEO Christine Vanlandingham, and the president of USAging Pam Curtis, who also lives here in Michigan. It shows staff and volunteers at AAA, as well as a large number of community members involved in our classes and programs.
While it took a lot of work on my part to coordinate all the interviews and filming locations, it’s an experience I will never forget. As I watched the final product last week, I couldn’t help but tear up a bit.
I was so proud that we were able to show the country the work we do here in Southwest Michigan. Reliving Joan telling us her story and seeing the joy on the faces of people taking and teaching our classes – we really do make a difference.
The video opens with a statistic that is very important for people to understand: By 2035, there will be more Americans over 65 than under 18.
That’s just 10 years away and will include my parents, who turn 60 this year and next.
While this seems like a huge problem when it comes to eldercare, it’s also an incredible asset to be tapped.
When we’re combating ageism, supporting family caregivers, teaching people how to eat healthily, providing balance and computer classes, and giving volunteers a multitude of ways to make a difference, we’re giving people the tools to thrive as they age.
Area Agencies on Aging are so much more than organizations that take care of sick, old people. We’re here to help our aging communities in nearly every facet of their lives. Aging starts at birth, and we all hope to live long, healthy lives.
So on this Independence Day weekend, I invite you to consider how you want to spend your later years – even if it’s 34 years away. For me, I want to feel safe, go on adventures, garden, volunteer, and laugh. But most importantly, I want to be independent.
Check out USAging’s campaign by visiting www.usaging.org/livelongstaystrong and clicking on “What is an Area Agency on Aging (AAA)?” at the bottom. Or find the video on our website, Facebook and July newsletter.
For more information about how you can live independently here in Southwest Michigan, give us a call at 1-800-654-2810 or visit www.AreaAgencyonAging.org.
The Generations Column appears each week in The Herald-Palladium.