Celebrating Older Americans Month this May (2025)

Each May, we celebrate Older Americans Month, a special time dedicated to the 18.6% of the country over the age of 65.

Honoring older Americans is about recognizing and expressing gratitude towards those who have shaped our communities, families, and nation. Throughout their lives, older adults have contributed in countless ways as workers, caregivers, volunteers, mentors, and advocates.

Older Americans aren’t the only ones being celebrated this May. In addition, May is also dedicated to:

• Mental Health Awareness Month

• Arthritis Awareness Month

• Stroke Awareness Month

• High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

• National Nurses Week

This month, we have the opportunity to learn from and uplift one another while raising awareness of some of the country's most pressing health and age concerns. 

Older Americans Month

Older Americans have shaped our lives in almost every way. These people built our communities, raised families, and laid the foundation for the opportunities we enjoy today. Their resilience, wisdom, and quiet strength continue to guide us forward.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy and the National Council of Senior Citizens launched what we now know as Older Americans Month. The intention was to recognize and honor the contributions of the generations before us, shifting the national focus from youth to seniors.

Each May, we continue to celebrate the older Americans of our country, carrying on their legacy. Since 1978, each Older Americans Month has followed a different theme. 2025's theme is "Flip the Script on Aging."

This year's goal is to change how society discusses and views the aging population. The movement aims to give older adults more freedom by challenging stereotypes, barriers, and ageism. 

There are plenty of ways you can celebrate and show your appreciation this month:

• Participate in senior-led events or workshops. Older adults can share a lifetime's worth of professional experience through workshops or teaching events. 

• Ask older adults to share their stories, expertise, or experience. Life works in cycles, and older adults have conquered many of the challenges you're facing right now. Asking for their opinion or advice on specific situations can help seniors feel more valued and confident in their experiences and connections.  

• Involve older Americans in decisions and activities. Many seniors are still as sharp as they were in their 20s or 30s. Don't forget to involve them in your favorite games, events, and activities. Their wisdom is valuable.  

• Let seniors work if they want to and are able to. While many seniors are retired, not all are ready to stop working. For some, their careers are a source of passion and fulfillment. Denying older adults the chance to continue working can be deeply discouraging and is often driven by ageism.

• Advocate for older adults' rights and speak out against ageism. Ageism is a very real issue, especially in the workplace. It's important to help give older adults a voice; they have meaningful advice to share with younger peers. 

High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

High blood pressure (or hypertension) affects 122.4 million (46.7%) of the U.S. population and is the country's third leading underlying cause of death.

However, many people aren't even aware they have hypertension. This has led to high blood pressure gaining the nickname the "silent killer."

The month of May represents High Blood Pressure Education Month. Emphasize the word "education" in that title because one of the simplest ways to combat high blood pressure is to learn about the ways to manage the condition. 

High blood pressure is often made worse by poor lifestyle choices like poor diet and exercise choices. Adding daily movement, medications, and a healthy diet to your lifestyle can help lower your blood pressure and extend your life.  

Outside of the U.S. national high blood pressure month, May 17th is also World Hypertension Day. This year's theme is "Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.”

Stroke Awareness Month

The American Stroke Association estimated strokes caused 1 in 21 deaths in the U.S. in 2021. This gruesome statistic doesn't even cover the amount of strokes that did not lead to death in the U.S. each year. 

The disheartening reality of strokes is that while many people die, there is a large percentage of people who survive and need long-term care afterward. 

Stroke Awareness Month aims to bring attention to those struggling with stroke recovery and those grieving the loss of loved ones who have suffered a fatal stroke. 

One of the most important takeaways from Stroke Awareness Month is recognizing the signs of a stroke. Every second counts when you have a stroke. The main warning signs include:

• Face drooping

• Arm weakness

• Speech difficulty

If you see any of these, you should call 911 immediately. The longer you wait, the worse it could be for your loved one. Strokes are caused by a loss of blood flow to the brain, either through a blood clot or brain hemorrhage. 

When the brain loses blood and oxygen flow, brain cells start to die almost immediately. This leads to permanent brain damage, disability, and sometimes death. 

Recognizing the risk factors and warning signs of stroke and knowing what to do in that situation can save lives.

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance that began in 1949 to raise awareness about the impact and prevalence of mental health conditions, many of which were once heavily stigmatized and misunderstood in America.

Today, mental health remains a critical issue, especially among older adults. According to the National Council on Aging, about 25% of older adults experience mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression. Yet, despite the prevalence, many older individuals do not receive the care or support they need.

Public acceptance of mental health has improved over the years, yet stigma still persists. These beliefs are especially prevalent among older generations who may have grown up viewing mental illness as a weakness rather than a medical issue.

Mental Health Awareness Month and mental health advocacy groups are working to change that stigma by:

• Educating people about mental health conditions, symptoms, and their impact.

• Encouraging empathy, open communication, and seeking help.

• Increasing awareness of available resources and support systems.

• Helping those who are struggling to feel seen and supported.

• Advocating for improved mental health policies and access to care.

Raising visibility is one of the most effective ways to make a difference. Whether by sharing your personal experience, offering support to someone else, or speaking out online, every action contributes to breaking the silence.

Mental health conditions often worsen in isolation and improve through empathy, conversation, and professional care. If you choose to share on social media, consider using the hashtag #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth to spread awareness and connect with others.

Arthritis Awareness Month

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in the U.S. and is a common reason for needing long-term care. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis affects individuals of all ages, not just seniors.

A 2021 study estimated that 21% of Americans (or 53.2 million) have arthritis. This number is expected to approach a quarter of the U.S. population in the coming years.

In 1972, President Nixon worked with the Arthritis Foundation to create Arthritis Awareness Month. This observance brought national attention to arthritis, and encouraged people to learn more about the condition while promoting a lifestyle that aided in preventing it. 

Other May Healthcare Observances

May is also dedicated to several more healthcare observances, including but not limited to:  

• Celiac Disease Awareness Month: Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten causes damage to the small intestine. This global observance month aims to raise funds, spread awareness, and increase the visibility of support resources. 

• Women's Health Month: The goal of Women’s Health Month is to encourage women around the United States to take health matters into their own hands by changing habits, catching up on doctor appointments, and learning more about how to stay healthy. 

• National Nurses Week (May 6th - May 12th): This holiday recognizes over 5 million registered nurses throughout the U.S. Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. Without nurses, we wouldn't be able to save millions of lives each year. Their dedication and passion help us stay healthy and secure. This year’s theme is “The Power of Nurses,” you can use the same phrase as a hashtag when showing support online. 

Long-Term Care Awareness Is Essential this May

Between various health condition awareness movements and supporting our nurses and seniors, May is a busy month. With the changing world and aging population, demonstrating our support is now as important as ever.

Some of the best ways to support those struggling with their health or older adults in your life are to learn more about their struggles and hold empathy for everyone in your life. 

LTC News has many resources to help you keep up to date with the latest healthcare holidays and help you and your loved ones cope with the realities of chronic conditions, aging, and long-term care: 

• Caring for a Loved One With Arthritis – Does your loved one have arthritis? Caring for a loved one with arthritis is a challenging endeavor, which can be made easier with proper research and training. We'll offer a few tips to lessen the mental load of being a family or informal caregiver. 

• Caregiving 101: Types of Caregiving and Selecting a Caregiver – Is your loved one struggling with a health condition that requires long-term care? Learning about the different types of caregivers and services available can help relieve your loved one of their struggles and help you as an informal caregiver. 

• I'm in Good Health. Why Would I Need to be Concerned About Long-Term Health Care? – It's easy to believe you'll never need long-term care, especially if you're healthy. The caveat here is that at one point, a majority of people who needed long-term care were once healthy. This article discusses why it's important to plan for long-term care even if you don't think you'll need it.