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Older Americans Month in May is a time to acknowledge the contributions older adults make every day. Across the nation, older adults make their mark as volunteers, employees, parents, grandparents, mentors and advocates.
This year’s national theme for Older Americans Month is “Flip the Script on Aging,” which focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about and approaches aging.
Texans can honor the contributions of older adults by exploring the various ways to remain active and engaged to age and live well. This month can also be used to highlight the opportunities for purpose, exploration and connection that come with aging.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Foster Grandparent Program is an example of how older adults can continue to serve their communities after retirement.
Foster grandparents “flip the script” on aging by showing how we can give back at any age, said Emily Dressen, HHSC Foster Grandparent Program manager.
“The average age of our foster grandparent volunteers is between 70 and 79, many of whom serve upwards of 30 hours per week year-round,” Dressen added.
Engaging in the community can be just as impactful for a volunteer as it is for the people they serve.
Modesto Perez, a volunteer with the Foster Grandparent Program in Abilene, said becoming a foster grandparent helped him become more physically and socially active because of his time spent volunteering with students during gym class, recess and other class activities.
“Before I started the program, I was sitting around the house eating chips, watching soap operas,” Perez said. “Now, I’ve lost 40 pounds, I’m energetic and I feel more youthful.”
In a recent HHSC Foster Grandparent survey, 99% of volunteers reported that serving in the program positively impacted their lives, giving them a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
In 2023, the Texas Demographic Center estimated 5.9 million people 60 or older live in Texas. As this number increases, so does the need for older adults to form meaningful relationships and social connections.
HHSC provides multiple programs and services to help older Texans live healthy lives and stay connected: Aging Texas Well is a strategic planning initiative that examines policies affecting older Texans, evaluates local and state preparedness to address the needs of older adults, and supports communities in enhancing their service capacity.
Age Well Live Well is a statewide healthy aging campaign that promotes easy pathways to available resources. The campaign emphasizes making healthy changes using three core message areas: be healthy, be connected and be informed.
Texercise provides free physical activity and nutrition resources to educate, motivate and engage people 45 and older.
Area Agencies on Aging provide services to help people 60 and older and their family members and caregivers receive information and assistance to access community services.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers are part of the No Wrong Door system, which is designed to streamline public access to long-term services and supports.
The Foster Grandparent Program offers meaningful volunteer opportunities to income-eligible people 55 and older while also assisting children with exceptional needs.
Find more information on HHSC programs and services at hhs.texas.gov.
