By Dixie Kuykendall

Mt. Olive Seniors



May is “Older Americans Month,” a time to bring attention to the issues that affect senior citizens. This year’s theme is “Working Together for Strong, Healthy, and Supportive Communities.”

Our nation benefits in many ways from the population of older adults, a group that is one of our greatest resources. Seniors provide millions of hours of volunteer, community and civic services. As seniors, we can enhance our communities and our personal lives by sharing cultures, values, and life experiences among generations.

With the expanding older adult population — especially in 2011 when about 78 million baby boomers will begin to retire — the contributions of older adults will continue to flourish. Older citizens of today and tomorrow promise to be among the most active and engaged older adult population in our nation’s history.

Volunteering is a way to give back to the community, but it is just as often a way to develop yourself and enjoy life. You are also taking care of yourself when you volunteer. It’s the “staying active” quotient.

By working together we can improve the health and well being of our nation’s older adults and pave the way for future generations.

Dixie Kuykendall writes a weekly column on Mt. Olive seniors. She can be reached at 631-0049 or at dixiek@bellsouth.net.