DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 48

RECOGNIZING MAY 2023 AS "OLDER AMERICANS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month; and

WHEREAS, 19 percent of the State of Delaware’s population is age 65 and older and the population of older individuals is steadily increasing; and

WHEREAS, by 2050, every county in our State is projected to have a population with at least 40 percent of its residents over the age of 50, with more than 20 percent of those individuals being age 65 and older; and

WHEREAS, older individuals contribute their strength, wisdom, and experience to our community in many ways; and

WHEREAS, communities benefit when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds are welcomed, included, and supported; and

WHEREAS, the focus of this year’s Older Americans Month is “Aging Unbound”, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes; and

WHEREAS, research indicates older individuals generally prefer to remain in in their own homes as they age, and that remaining at home and in within the community is associated with better health outcomes, and higher levels of life satisfaction and self-esteem; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to create a community that provides the services and supports that older Americans need to thrive and live independently for as long as possible; and

WHEREAS, a better community for our older residents can be built by planning programs that encourage independence, ensuring activities are responsive to individual needs and preferences, and increasing access to services that support aging in place; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has taken steps toward building a better community for our older Delawareans, including by establishing the Aging-in-Place Working Group, which released its final report on April 29, 2022 about its investigation of the State’s current home- and community-based service infrastructure and recommendations to achieve successful aging-in-place; and

WHEREAS, older Americans contribute to our community and celebration of Older Americans Month honors these contributions.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that May 2023 is hereby recognized as “Older Americans Month” in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 2023 as "Older Americans Month" in the State of Delaware.