May is Older Americans Month

           Thirty nine point six; eighty eight point five; five hundred and forty five. You might be wondering, what do these numbers mean? They represent the millions of Older Americans in our country. 39.6 million people are 65 and older in the United States (July 1, 200), 88.5 million people are projected to be 65 and older in 2050 in the United States. 545 million was the projected number of people 65 and older midyear in 2011 for the whole world population. If numbers are not your thing, it is safe to say that is a lot of Older Americans!

Each month has a variety of Health & Wellness observances and each year has a variety of days celebrating special people in our own personal lives and in history, but in May we are taking a whole month to highlight a special group of people, Older Americans, who share their life expierences, whitty wisdoms and thoughtful understanding of the way the world goes round.

May is Older Americans Month and we are proud to be a program dedicated serve older adults. Although Hospice of Southern Illinois serves people of all ages, we often serve the senior population. Our multi-disciplinary team appreciates the way they lived and worked, the stories of growth and heart, and the search for a better quality of life. Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to help and celebrate Older Americans not only in May, but every month. We hope that we can bring awareness to this special group of people and help others understand what they contribute to this wonderful world! Show an Older American you care; take an extra minute to say hello, ask them if you can get them a snack, bring them a small gift to brighten their day or just say thank you because everyone has a story of their contributions.

Help us share, educate, and reach out by subscribing to our blog and suggesting it to friends who will spread our message: Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to teach you what hospice is, what we are about, and what we can do for you and your loved ones. No one has to go through the dying process alone. Hospice of Southern Illinois can help.

Live well, laugh often, and love much,

Christine Juehne

Hospice of Southern Illinois

Community Education

1-800-233-1708

cjuehne@hospice.org

www.hospice.org

Sources for statistics: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11-ff08.html  Accessed: 5/7/2012 Date of Article: 3/23/2011