Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month,” the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”

In 2023, ACL has chosen the theme, Aging Unbound. With this theme, we will have the opportunity to explore an array of aging experiences without being boxed in by expectations and stereotypes. 

We’ll be discussing the positive aspects of growing older, why everyone has a role to play in combating ageism – and how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included in their communities.

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For more information visit acl.gov/oam.