May is Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month, but it is reasonable to ask just who is old, what does it mean – in general and for Mill Valley in particular? The average life expectancy in the US, as recently as 1900, was 46 for men and 48 for women. By comparison, this year the average age in Mill Valley is 49 years old. That doesn’t seem old to most of us. Let’s dig further into who, and how, we should celebrate.
The designation was established in 1963. At that time there were only 17 million Americans of “retirement age” (i.e. 65 or older) and the average life expectancy in the US had moved up to 70 years. The good news is that average life expectancy in the US is now slightly over 79 years. The better news is that, in Marin, the average life expectancy is almost 5 more years, or 84. So the old cliché, “you are as old as you feel” certainly rings true for many of us. Who is considered old is definitely a moving target that clearly depends on both how and where you live.
That said, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads our nation’s observance of the celebration and the theme for 2022 is “Age My Way.” The theme emphasizes the opportunity for each of us to explore the many ways older adults can remain in, and be involved with, our communities. While this will be different for each person, the ACL notes that communities benefit when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds are welcomed, included, and supported.
The ACL says that in this month we should recognize the benefits to our community of providing services that support elders ability to live independently for as long as possible and to thrive; that older Americans contribute their strength, wisdom, and experience to our community; and each of us should help ensure that seniors remain involved in our community. So whether you are 49 or 94, older, younger or somewhere in between, here’s hoping you can make this is a year that you thrive, by helping others age their way! Mill Valley will be an even better community for it.
