Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

May is Older Americans Month

In tough times, communities find strength in people—and people find strength in their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again in the Land of Sky region as friends, neighbors, and businesses have found new ways to support each other.

In our community, older adults are a key source of this strength. Through their experiences, successes, and difficulties, they have built resilience that helps them to face new challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too.

Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities.

Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life—a conversation shared with a friend, working in the garden, trying a new recipe, or taking time for a cup of tea on a busy day. And when we share these activities with others—even virtually or by telling about the experience later—we help them build resilience too.

This year, Land of Sky Regional Counci will celebrate OAM by encouraging community members to share their experiences. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.

Here are some ways to share and connect:

Look for joy in the everyday: Celebrate small moments and ordinary pleasures by taking time to recognize them. Start a gratitude journal and share it with others via social media, or call a friend or family member to share a happy moment or to say thank you.
Reach out to neighbors: Even if you can’t get together in person right now, you can still connect with your neighbors. Leave a small gift on their doorstep, offer to help with outdoor chores, or deliver a homecooked meal.
Build new skills: Learning something new allows us to practice overcoming challenges. Take an art course online or try a socially distanced outdoor movement class to enjoy learning with others in your community. Have a skill to share? Find an opportunity to teach someone, even casually.
Share your story: There’s a reason storytelling is a time-honored activity. Hearing how others experience the world helps us grow. Interviewing family, friends, and neighbors can open up new conversations and strengthen our connections.

When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or service—we help build strong communities. And that’s something to celebrate! Please join Land of Sky Regional Council in strengthening our community

Information in this article came from acl.gov.

Who We Are:

Area Agency on Aging promotes the highest level of well being of older adults and their families by partnering with organizations to provide a comprehensive system of opportunities, services, and protective services. The AAA is a leader and catalyst in helping older adults in our four county region lead more independent, vibrant lives. As part of a national network of aging agencies established by the Older Americans Act, we work to strengthen home and community care for older adults.

Mission:

The AAA is a regional leader and catalyst in supporting older adults to lead more independent, vibrant lives.

“Advocacy, Assistance and Answers”

Vision:

Everyone in our region can age with dignity, purpose and connection to community.”

What We Offer:

Community Resource Connections (CRC) & Local Contact Agency (LCA) Options Counseling - Supports access to anyone looking for information about aging and disability services in the four-county area; and, assists residents of nursing homes in exploring options to return to the community.
Family Caregiver Support Services - Provides services for family members or friends who care for a frail older person and to older relatives who are the primary caregivers of someone age 18 or younger.
Foster Grandparent Program - Connects volunteers 55+ with at-risk children in schools, childcare centers, and Head Start programs.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - Offers programs designed to keep community members healthy and active, with a focus on managing chronic health issues and preventing falls
Long Term Care Ombudsman - Uses advocacy, conciliation, and mediation to assure the rights of people living in long term care settings are honored.
Monitoring and Quality Assurance - Ensures quality aging services are being provided as intended by the Older Americans Act in Region B by providing day-to-day support and guidance to aging service providers and by performing periodic in-depth reviews of the aging service programs they offer.
Project CARE (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty) - Assists caregivers of people with dementia by providing a Family Consultant to help resolve caregiving issues.
Regional and County Aging Planning - Coordinates long-range planning for older adult and caregiver needs in our region.
Senior Companion Program - Involves volunteers ages 55+ in supportive services to keep older adults living independently at home.
Senior Tar Heel Legislature - Provides information to older adults on the legislative process and matters being considered by the North Carolina General Assembly.

Important Resources

Long Term Care Housing Directory
Complete Directory
Buncombe County Directory
Henderson County Directory
Madison County Directory
Transylvania County Directory

Senior Services Directories:
Buncombe County
Henderson County
Madison County
Transylvania County

Caregiver Resource Directory - For Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties