Older Americans Month: Aging Unbound!

Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated across the nation every May. The Washington County Board of Commissioners will be proclaiming May as Older Americans Month at their May 2 meeting. Tune in to the Washington County YouTube channel to view the proclamation.

This year's theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to foster and explore diverse aging experiences. Join us as we recognize Older Americans Month by expanding our thinking about aging, exploring and combating stereotypes, emphasizing the many positive aspects of aging, inspiring older adults to push past traditional boundaries, and embracing our community’s diversity. Here are some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound: 

• Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy and energy.
• Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes and creative activities.
• Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
• Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends and community members.

For more information, visit the official OAM website, follow ACL on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #OlderAmericansMonth.

Check out Washington County's Older Adult Behavioral Health training, Aging attitudes: How your beliefs about aging impact your health and wellness.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. WEADD is June 15, but in Washington County, we will commemorate the day on June 8 with our Elder Abuse Forum. This will be a special training for law enforcement, adult protective services, and other social services professionals on the latest methods to recognize and prevent elder abuse. For more information, contact Randy_Mifflin@Washingtoncountyor.gov or 503-846-3084.

Memorial Day services in Washington County

Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 29. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War which ended in the spring of 1865, claiming more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and requiring the establishment of the country’s first national cemetery. The first celebration was held May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery where people decorated the graves of over 20,000 military personnel with flowers. Memorial Day is intentionally held in May when flowers are in full bloom across the country, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Army.

Beaverton-Veterans Memorial Park Ceremony

North Plains-Veterans Memorial Park Ceremony

Tualatin-Lake at the Commons Service and Community Picnic

Find a Memorial Day service you

Celebrate Women Veterans

June 12 has been recognized as Women Veterans Day, but it is not a separate Veterans Day for women. Rather it is a tribute to a groundbreaking day when women were acknowledged as essential to the war efforts and could serve in the regular armed forces. In 1948, President Truman signed into law the Women in the Armed Forces Act.

On June 6, the Washington County Board of Commissioners will recognize June 12 as the 75^th Anniversary of the Women in the Armed Forces Act. The public is welcome to attend the reading of the proclamation or watch it on YouTube.

We hosted a four-part show in partnership with TVCTV that features nine women veterans sharing their stories and their unique experiences as women in the armed forces over the past 75 years. The shows will air on TVCTV channel 30 on June 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 7 p.m. They will also be available on the Washington County YouTube channel.

DAVS will host a reception to highlight and thank the veterans for their participation on Thursday, June 8 from 2-4 p.m. at the River House in Hillsboro. Seating is limited and registration is required. 

Help available for grandparents and older relatives raising children

Grandfamilies, also called kinship families, are families in which children reside with and are raised by grandparents, extended family members or other adults with whom they have a close family-like relationship such as godparents and close family friends. According to the Census Bureau, in Washington County, 20% of grandparents who live with their grandchildren are responsible for their care. Many don’t know that DAVS can help with this type of care! The Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) is an important part of the Family Caregiver Support Program. RAPP offers respite, counseling, and workshops for individuals 55 years and older who are raising relative children. The program can also provide funds to purchase a variety of items such as furniture, clothing, school supplies and hygiene items to support in the care of the child. To find out more call us at 503-846-3060.

For more training and events from Older Adult Behavioral Health, check out the LINK UP e-newsletter.

Project Visibility: Creating inclusive communities for LGBTQ+ older adults

Wednesday, May 10, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. via Zoom

This training is for aging services and community mental health providers, and other community partners who work with older adults. In this interactive training, learn common terms and definitions including sexual orientation, gender identity, biological sex and everything in between. Learn about the "hidden" history of LGBTQ+ older adults and other issues that shape how older adults access care and support today. Get ready-to-implement tools and best practices that help create an inclusive and welcoming environment for this often-invisible population. NASW CEUs pending.

Welcome new members

New AVSAC members, George Hough and Robert Rhoden, and alternate member Ana Luse, have been appointed to a three-year term. We have two regular members positions and five alternate positions available. To apply visit the AVSAC webpage.

Next AVSAC meeting

Thursday, May 18, 9-11 a.m.

In person at 5240 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 300 in Hillsboro

Or join via Zoom

Meeting ID: 882 7128 6596

Passcode: 974484

Call in (audio only): +12532158782, 88271286596#

We welcome guests and invite public comment on the issues facing older adults and veterans in our community.