City of Atlanta Celebrates ‘Older Atlantans Month’

Patch Staff Report

In honor of Older Atlantans Month, the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events kicked off a month-long celebration to pay tribute to the contributions of seniors in the City of Atlanta. City of Atlanta officials were also joined by AARP Georgia to announce Atlanta’s designation as an Age-Friendly Community.

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities helps participating U.S. communities become great places for all ages by adopting such features as safe, walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, access to key services, and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities.

“This month, we celebrate the remarkable contributions and sacrifices of our elders, and we offer our renewed gratitude and support,” said Mayor Kasim Reed in a news release. “In partnership with AARP of Georgia, we will work to become an Age-Friendly Community by providing our seniors with the resources they need to continue to uplift their neighborhoods, offer perspective on pressing challenges, and serve as role models to our next generation.”

Atlanta will join 10 other U.S. cities in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. The initiative is affiliated with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program®, an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for rapid population aging and the parallel trend of urbanization. The program currently has 137 participating communities in 21 countries around the world, as well as 10 country affiliates representing over 1,000 communities.

“Individuals 50+ will come to appreciate their community even more as we work with the City of Atlanta and others to help make communities safer, improve access to transportation, bring in new businesses, and identify entertainment & leisure activities that those 50+ tend to enjoy,” said AARP Georgia State Director Greg Tanner in the release. “When we improve communities for seniors everyone benefits because we look at proper lighting, safe sidewalks, parks, security, street crossing and more.”   

The national theme for Older Americans Month, “Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow,” raises awareness about injury prevention. All throughout the month, seniors can take advantage of special programs available to them including the AARP T.E.K. Program which teaches individuals 50+ how to easily use iPads. Seniors can visit city facilities, including the Center of Hope at Adamsville, to learn how to use smart devices.

Since 2010, the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services has partnered with social service agencies, religious institutions, and businesses to promote support services and educational programs that advocate for a higher quality of life for senior citizens in the city of Atlanta. These partners include Hands on Atlanta, AARP, Meals on Wheels, and the Medicare Diabetes Project.

Atlanta has celebrated Older Atlantans Month since 1977.