May is just around the corner and with it comes Older Americans Month. This year’s theme is Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities. Why not combine your Older Americans Month event with your AAHSA Homecoming event?

The Homecoming toolkit is full of ideas that will work for both celebrations. A few of them are:

• In view of Memorial Day, honor your community’s veterans. If your community doesn’t already do so,
  partner with other civic organizations to plan an event. It’s a good time to have a community-wide picnic.
• Sponsor an interfaith service to honor the oldest members of your community. Partner with your local interfaith council or reach out to several churches and synagogues in your community to schedule an Older Americans Month interfaith worship. Whether you publicize it as an “open” event or issue invitations, be sure to include local leaders and elected offi cials and if it’s feasible, give them the opportunity to offer either comments honoring your seniors or an inspirational message.
• Develop a senior story hour. Many of your residents and seniors have rich memories (some good, some bad and some simply funny) about your community’s history. Ask them to share these memories and the roles they played. Invite your neighbors to hear these stories and to share their own, as well.

Click here to get your materials for Older Americans Month and your AAHSA Homecoming toolkit. Don’t forget to let us know what you are doing so that we can share it with other members.