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Each
year the Administration on Aging (AoA) issues a theme for
Older Americans Month to assist our National Aging Services
Network of state, tribal, area agencies on aging, and community
services providers plan for activities that take place in
May or throughout the year.
History
of Older Americans Month
When
Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million
living Americans had reached their 65th birthdays. About a
third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few
programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans
and their concerns was growing, however, in April of 1963,
President John F. Kennedy's meeting with the National Council
of Senior Citizens served as a prelude to
designating May as "Senior Citizens Month."
President
Jimmy Carter's 1980 designation changed "Senior Citizens
Month," to "Older Americans Month."
Every
President since JFK has issued a formal
proclamation during or before the month of May asking
that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons
in their communities.
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