You Are Never Too Old to Make Your Mark

“If you are going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that cannot be erased.”—Maya Angelou.

In each of our communities, every day, older adults are “Making Their Mark,” which is the theme of this year’s Older Americans Month. For 57 years, Older Americans Month, celebrated in May, has provided the nation with the opportunity to recognize and honor the many ways that older adults give back to their families and their communities.

In big ways and small ways, as family members, friends, neighbors, volunteers, mentors, employees, employers, civic champions and advocates, older adults contribute their time, talent, experience and heart to make their communities better places to live—better places to grow up and to grow old.

As the numbers of older Americans continues to grow, so too do their countless contributions. Even in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, in which older adults have been hardest hit, seniors are finding ways to make a difference—to make their mark. Many older adults have stepped up to serve as telephone buddies, making regular friendly visitor calls to more frail older adults to conduct quick check-ins to make sure they are okay and to provide a warm and caring voice that brightens their day. Other older adults are supporting parents and teachers in this time of stay-at-home schooling by reading books to children over the phone or through Facebook Live. Still others are using their skills to sew masks for hospital and community workers. And other older adults are organizing telephonic or virtual coffee klatches, luncheons or happy hours as a way to keep their friends and neighbors connected during this difficult time.

Connections and contributions are critical at any age, but both take on an even greater significance as we age. Research has shown that people who are socially engaged have better physical and mental health. People who volunteer live longer. People who are involved and giving back to others are happier and have a greater sense of well-being.

As C.S. Lewis said, “you are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”  You are never too old to make your mark. By so doing, you not only improve your life, but you improve all the lives that surround you. It is truly a legacy that cannot be erased.

The nation’s Aging Network provides a myriad of opportunities for older adults to contribute to others by recruiting volunteers to serve older adults through Area Agency on Aging and tribal aging services and supports, home-delivered meal programs, senior centers, adult day care programs as well as connecting older volunteers to other community agencies where they can serve the greater community good. The Aging Network stands ready to support older adults as they leave their legacy in their community and on the hearts of all those they touch.

This blog was written by Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.