May is Older American’s Month! This month celebrates older adults and their many contributions to our world. The theme is, “make your mark.” The hope is to recognize everything older adults do and how they leave their mark on communities, families, and more.
According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), this month-long commemoration began in 1963. Members of the National Council of Senior Citizens met with former president John F. Kennedy in April of ’63 to discuss the creation of important programs for older adults. Thus, “Older American’s Month” was created. Each year, a different theme is announced. Themes have ranged From, “The Many Faces of Aging” to, “Choices for Independence,” all the way to, “Blaze a Trail” – meant to raise awareness on issues facing older adults.
Older adults should be viewed as wise, intellectual and vital members of our society. We believe the same for people of all ages living with a disability. Both groups of people tend to be overlooked by our world. For years, both older adults and folks with a disability were discriminated against in all aspects of life, including the workplace. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that, “3 in 5 older workers have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace” and that, “76 percent of these older workers see age discrimination as a hurdle to finding a new job.”
Similarly, studies show that most unemployed people with a disability feel, “…their disability directly correlates to their ‘unemployability.'”
The upsetting statistics above drive the Golden Millennium Enterprises LLC team to ensure both older adults and people with a disability never feel discriminated against, uncomfortable, or anything less than a human being at our community facilities.
A facility that cares is one that offers emotional and physical safety. In a world of uncertainty, we hope to offer some clarity.
At Golden Millennium, we do not need a month to celebrate older adults or people with disabilities. We celebrate the two every single day.