National Council on Aging

Ahead of #NationalSeniorCenterMonth in September, NCOA President and CEO Ramsey Alwin affirms our commitment to supporting #SeniorCenters and the vital role they play in ensuring every American can #AgeWell. Senior centers provide #OlderAdults with opportunities to stay active, healthy, and connected. Our National Institute of Senior Centers supports senior centers as they grow to meet the changing needs of their communities. Read more:👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/ddYvfqu7

Good #Nutrition is crucial as we #Age. Yet the rising cost of #Groceries can lead to tough choices at the register—especially for those of us who may live on a #FixedIncome. That’s where the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) comes in. Every year, this crucial benefits program helps millions of adults age 65+ afford the food they need to stay healthy. As reported by Axios, millions more still could—if they only knew about the program and how to apply. ✅ 👉 Using NCOA’s SNAP map, AXIOS zoomed in on state-level enrollment data to identify coverage gaps across the country. Check it out. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eYRqSTzf

National #EyeExamMonth is a great time to brush up on our #EyeHealth know-how. And NCOA’s resource library is the perfect place to start! Explore topics ranging from common age-related eye diseases and #Medicare coverage to #VisionRehabilitation and more ( don’t forget to share this page with your community).👇 https://lnkd.in/dDbRQ_Wb

We are so proud to partner with SunFire! Learn more about the work we're doing to support #OlderAdults like 63-year-old Gloria, who was connected to #Workforce #Training and #Job opportunities when her other options were limited.

Speaking of #EyeExamMonth…How can we best care for our eyes and prevent #VisionLoss as we age? In honor of #HealthyAgingMonth (which kicks off in just a few days!), we’re covering steps older adults can take to protect their vision, detect problems early, and make the most of the sight they have. Plus, learn about free or low-cost services that can help people in your community adjust to vision loss.👇 https://bit.ly/3eQYX1J

✅ Proactive.   That’s a word that best describes YWCA of San Antonio and their work to ensure that everyone in the community has #EquitableAccess to lifesaving #Vaccines.   “We contact local partners, even restaurants, it doesn’t matter who it is. We say, ‘Can we set up a vaccination clinic?’” explained Corin Reyes, the organization’s Director of Health Equity.   Reyes and her colleagues work hard every day to address barriers to vaccine access, especially among older Hispanic and Latina adults.   See how they do it—and how those efforts are paying off. 👇   #ImmunizationAwarenessMonth https://lnkd.in/dw6thJra.

Speaking of eye exams...here's your reminder that August is National #EyeExamMonth! While #VisionLoss is not a normal part of #Aging, some eye conditions are more likely to develop as we get older—such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Here’s what older adults should know about common age-related eye diseases, courtesy of our friends at the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision .👇 #HealthyAgingMonth https://lnkd.in/eagQvQm2

September is an important month for #HealthyAging! Not only is #FallsPreventionAwarenessWeek coming up later next month, but it’s also the the National Eye Institute (NEI)’s Healthy Aging Month—a great time to make sure the #OlderAdults in your life have had a recent comprehensive eye exam, which can help prevent both #VisionLoss and #Falls.

Why did a 71-year-old Appleton, Wisconsin woman travel for more than 90 minutes last year just to get her #COVID #Vaccine?   “[She] said she felt more comfortable going to a center that knows her culture and speaks her language,” explained Lo Neng Kiatoukaysy, Executive Director of Milwaukee’s Hmong American Friendship Association. “She was scared. One of her sons had passed away from COVID. She wanted to go somewhere she’d feel at home.”   Read the full story for ideas on how your own organization can leverage cultural understanding and community connections to overcome #VaccineHesitancy. ✅   #ImmunizationAwarenessMonth https://lnkd.in/eYQNqTF7

When it comes to #VaccineHesitancy among #OlderAdults, Dallas County Health and Human Services takes a novel approach: using #TrustedMessengers to help dispel myths. “[Older adults] tend to lack trusting relationships,” explained Mark Edwards, Assistant Director of Social Services at DCHHS. “They wonder, will the vaccine be harmful to their health? These unknowns are combined with so many conflicting messages on social media. Collectively, it builds up fear in our older adult population.” 👉 See how DCHHS effectively works with a county-wide network of #SeniorCenters and other partners to empower residents to make informed choices about their health. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eTyxe2vr #ImmunizationAwarenessMonth #SeniorCenterMonth