Older Americans Month: Championing Our Collective Health as We Age

Chris Herman, LICSW, FNAP Senior Practice Associate–Aging

April 2026

Whereas all persons reaching their later years should have opportunity to share fully in the benefits of our advances in economic wealth, science, technology, and culture; and

… Whereas the Federal Government should provide leadership, encouragement, and assistance to the States, communities, and voluntary organizations in utilizing the potentials of our elder citizens; …

I … do hereby designate the month of May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month; and I urge all persons and public and private organizations to cooperate in its observance by increasing community awareness of the problems faced by older men and women [sic.], strengthening services and opportunities to meet their special needs, giving recognition to their past and present contributions, and making this special month the beginning of continuing interest and activity on their behalf. (Proclamation No. 3527, 1963)

During the decades following this proclamation, numerous federal policies and programs have been effected that enhance the health and well-being of all of us as we age:

• The Medicare and Medicaid programs were established, enhancing access to health care services.
• The Older Americans Act of 1965 (P.L. 89-73) was enacted, establishing a network of social services for older people.
• The Social Security program grew and the Supplemental Security Income was established, improving the economic security of older adults and people in other age groups. in employment, schools, public facilities, public accommodations, and federally assisted programs.
• The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) was enacted, creating housing for adults of all ages with disabilities and older adults who have low incomes.
• The National Institute on Aging was established within the National Institutes of Health, creating a home for research on health in later life.
• The Nursing Home Reform Law was enacted as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (P.L. 100-203), establishing specifications for quality of life (including residents’ rights) and quality of care.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-336) was enacted, protecting people with disabilities from discrimination in multiple facets of life.
• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) case that people with disabilities have the right to receive publicly funded long-term supports and services (LTSS) in the community rather than in institutions.
• The Elder Justice Act of 2009 (S. 795) was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-148) to help prevent and address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913), enacted in 2009 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010 (P.L. 111-84), expanded the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-284) to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived disability, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Moreover, for hate crimes related to race, color, religion, or national origin, the law removed the requirement that the targeted person be participating in a federally protected activity, such as voting or attending school, when the crime occurs.

This list is far from comprehensive. Furthermore, although many of these policies and programs have continued to advance for the better, others have been (and are being) dismantled, leaving many gaps to be bridged.

Nonetheless, these developments reinforce the basis of the 1963 proclamation honoring older adults: that fostering health and well-being as we age (and, indeed, at all phases of life) is a collective responsibility. This perspective is congruent with the person-in-environment framework of social work, as well as with NASW’s Code of Ethics (2021). Each of us is shaped by our biopsychosocial environment, and we need each other—and public systems—to thrive.

As we each consider how to celebrate Older Americans Month in our workplace and community, we can keep in mind the OAM 2026 theme, Champion Your Health. Yes, each of us can play an active role in managing our own health as we age by engaging in prevention, informed decision making, and self-advocacy. At the same time, strong public systems and policies that promote equity, affordability, access, self-determination, and full participation in society are essential to experience health and well-being in later life.

As social workers, we play an invaluable role in educating the individuals, families, and communities we serve about the public programs and policies that affect health and well-being in later life. We also advocate with and for those individuals, families, and communities. These education and advocacy roles are especially critical because of threats and actual harm not only to public policies and programs, but also to our civil and human rights.

One way in which we can counter these dangerous developments is by maintaining and strengthening relationships within and beyond our social work profession and association. Please let us know how you are championing our collective health and well-being by posting on social media with the hashtag #OlderAmericansMonth and tagging NASW.

Bluesky: ‪@naswsocialworkers.bsky.social

Facebook, Instagram, and Threads: @naswsocialworkers

LinkedIn: @The National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

TikTok: @nasw_socialworkers

YouTube: @socialworkers

Resources

Older Americans Month website (federal Administration for Community Living)
https://acl.gov/oam/older-americans-month

Eldercare Locator
https://eldercare.acl.gov/home

Summary of NASW’s activities to promote older adult well-being & gero social work in 2025
https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Aging/Aging-Tools/NASW-Activities-to-Promote-Older-Adult-Well-Being-Gero-Social-Work-in-2025

Justice in Aging
https://justiceinaging.org/

References

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, P.L. 101-336 (1990).

Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S. 644 (2020).

Civil Rights Act of 1964, P.L. 88-352 (1964).

Elder Justice Act of 2009 (S. 795), 111th Cong. (2009).

Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, P.L. 93-383 (1974).

Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009) (H.R. 1913), 111th Cong. (2009).

National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics

National Defense Authorization Act for 2010, P.L. 111-84 (2009).

Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015).

Older Americans Act of 1965, P.L. 89-73 (1965).

Olmstead v. L. C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999).

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, Pub. L. 100–203 (1987).

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, P.L. 111-148 (2010).

Proclamation No. 3527, 77 Stat. 995 (April 18, 1963).

Respect for Marriage Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-228) (2022).

Voting Rights Act of 1965, P.L. 89-110 (1965).