Living Long, Staying Strong—Celebrating Older Adults All Month Long

October is often described as a season of change—a time when nature reminds us that transition can be beautiful. For older adults, it’s also a month filled with national observances that highlight wellness, resilience, and the fight against stereotypes. From Ageism Awareness Day on October 9 to World Mental Health Day on October 10, from the “Live Long Stay Strong” campaign led by USAging to the Illinois Fall Prevention Coalition and Active Aging Week, October calls on us all to reimagine what it means to age well.

Aging touches everyone, yet it is too often spoken of as a quiet decline rather than a continuing journey. Ageism—the discrimination or stereotyping of individuals based on age—remains one of society’s most normalized forms of bias. October 9’s Ageism Awareness Day invites us to challenge these outdated beliefs. Older adults are workers, volunteers, innovators, mentors, and community builders. When we portray aging only through frailty or dependence, we erase the vibrancy that defines so many later-life experiences.

Across Illinois and beyond, communities are reshaping these narratives. Intergenerational programs, lifelong learning opportunities, and inclusive hiring practices are proving that age diversity strengthens everyone. Simple shifts—like using empowering imagery in communication materials or inviting older adults to lead community projects—help dismantle ageist attitudes and foster belonging. The very next day, on October 10, the world recognizes World Mental Health Day, reminding us that emotional and psychological well-being are essential at every age. For older adults, mental health often intersects with life transitions—retirement, loss of loved ones, or changing health needs—but it’s also deeply influenced by social connection. Loneliness can have as serious an impact on health as smoking or obesity, while meaningful engagement—through art, conversation, physical activity, or volunteering—can lift mood and sharpen cognition.

That’s where USAging’s “Live Long Stay Strong” campaign comes in. Its message is clear: aging well isn’t only about longevity—it’s about quality of life. Through local Area Agencies on Aging, older adults can access programs for health management, caregiver support, transportation, and evidence-based wellness classes. When older adults remain active and supported, communities flourish too.

Equally vital is the work of the Illinois Fall Prevention Coalition, which advocates for safe, active, independent living. Falls remain the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older Americans—yet most are preventable. Through statewide partnerships, the coalition promotes home safety assessments, exercise programs like “A Matter of Balance” and “Fit & Strong!”, and medication reviews that reduce risk. Fall prevention isn’t simply about safety—it’s about confidence, mobility, and the freedom to keep moving toward what brings joy. All of these themes converge during Active Aging Week, a celebration that encourages older adults to embrace vitality in every form—physical, mental, and social. Across the nation, older adults are walking trails, mentoring youth, joining art classes, and dancing at local festivals. Active aging reminds us that growing older is not about slowing down—it’s about redefining how we live, learn, and connect.

Together, these October observances form a tapestry of awareness and action. They remind us that supporting older adults means addressing physical safety, emotional wellness, and societal inclusion all at once. When communities commit to age-friendly practices—whether by offering fall-prevention workshops, hosting mental health discussions, or celebrating older adults’ achievements—they affirm that aging is not an ending but a dynamic, evolving journey. So this October, let’s carry forward the spirit of “Live Long, Stay Strong.” Let’s look beyond stereotypes, listen to stories, and build communities where everyone, at every age, belongs. Because aging is not something to endure—it’s something to celebrate.

Falls Prevention Week – September 22-26, 2025

Did you know that falling is NOT a normal part of aging?  East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA) is committed to empowering all older adults in our community to reduce their risk of falls, which are one of the greatest causes of serious injuries and death among people over age 65. On September 22-26, 2025, ECIAAA is partnering with the Illinois Falls Prevention Coalition to mark Falls Prevention Awareness Week. As part of this national outreach campaign, ECIAAA encourages persons 60 and older to go online to www.ncoa.org/FallsFreeCheckUp at no cost and with anonymity to screen for the most common falls risk factors. “Falls prevention is crucial because falls are the leading cause of injury-related death and disability, particularly for older adults, leading to serious injuries like hip fractures and head trauma, costly hospitalizations, long-term rehabilitation, and reduced independence and quality of life,” said Susan Real, CEO, ECIAAA. East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging has a strong history of helping older residents in our community. ECIAAA is proud to be part of this state education and outreach initiative that is helping millions of older adults age well and stay falls free. If you live in Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby or Vermilion counties and want to learn more about resources to prevent falls, contact ECIAAA at (800) 888-4456.

Debunking the Myths of Older Adult Falls

Fall Prevention Guide for Caregivers

Gift Giving Guide for Seniors

National Wellness Month

Wellness Month is observed in August. It is a time to focus on promoting overall health and well-being by engaging in activities that support physical, mental, emotional, and social health.

Physical wellness encourages mobility and a stronger mind-body connection. Research has shown that older adults who exercise have lower risks of cardiovascular problems, stroke, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer.

Mental wellness is founded on logic, problem-solving, and intellectual stimulation. For older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia, mental wellness can include memory care to delay the progression of their condition.

Mental fitness is practiced in various forms, from puzzles and crosswords to playing video games. Research has shown that 3D video games can improve cognitive function and memory by increasing gray matter in the brain.

Emotional and social wellness often intersect, so providing more opportunities for older adults to connect with others improves their well-being and lowers their risk of anxiety and depression. Having outlets to discuss their mental health can also help improve their emotional well-being.

One of the struggles aging adults face is a loss of autonomy. As their health declines or they need more assistance, they are less likely to take an active role in their wellness. It is important to encourage older adults to take an active role in their well-being resulting in more independence.

Everyone’s health is unique. These four tips can help every older adult improve their health and wellness this National Wellness Month.

• Work with Physical Limitations – Rather than see mobility concerns as a hurdle, learn to adapt exercises to suit abilities. Chair workout routines are an excellent way for older adults to stay active, even with a limited range of motion. Even 20 minutes of exercise a day can profoundly impact physical and mental well-being.

• Socialize More – Being social helps stay cognitively alert and emotionally engaged. Older adults that socialize experience less isolation, depression and anxiety.

• Eat a Balance Diet – Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and less on carb-heavy meals and junk food. Cooking can be an exciting hobby and encourages an older adult to stand up and be more active.

• Try Something New – Trying new things offers numerous benefits, including boosting creativity, improving cognitive function, enhance mood, and fostering personal growth. It can also help reduce stress, increase confidence, and build resilience. New experiences can even lead to unexpected opportunities and connections.

If you or a family member are looking for local resources in Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby or Vermilion counties, contact East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging at (800) 888-4456.

 “A majority of Americans cannot afford to take care of their families. They see it as their responsibility, and often their failure. To get by, they cobble together solutions, even quitting their jobs to look after a loved one – a newborn, a parent, a friend, or an in-law. Things are getting worse as baby boomers age into their 70s. We are facing a social crisis as America’s piecemeal and expensive care infrastructure, created a half century ago, has reached a breaking point.” - Al Jen Poor and Dr. Benjamin W. Veghte, Architects of Universal Family Care, New York Times

As caregiving in America faces the twin pressures of an aging baby boomer generation and rising life expectancy, the United States’ long-term care system threatens to tip into crisis.

• According to a recent Rand Report, it is estimated that between 53 million to 105.6 million U.S. adults provide unpaid caregiving for family and friends.  
• An estimated 5.4 million children and adolescents in the U.S. are direct caregivers for family members. 
• There are five million paid caregivers nationally in the U.S., as of 2023. 
• The value of the care provided by unpaid family caregivers across the U.S. was $600 billion in 2021, according to a 2023 AARP report.
• Median annual earnings for direct care workers in the U.S. are $23,688.13, as of a 2023 report.

The PBS documentary film “Caregiving” personalizes this urgent national issue through stories from caregivers and interviews with experts as they fight to give caregivers the security and support they provide for so many others. The project also includes a robust national engagement campaign.

The feature-length documentary and accompanying short films will examine caregiving from multiple perspectives:

• the creation and evolution of the care system;
• the social dynamics that shape our approach to caregiving today and the future possibilities;
• the lives of caregivers and their relationships with those in their care;
• the interpersonal and economic pressures faced by caregivers; and
• the broader societal context in which caregiving operates on the margins yet affects everyone.

“Caregiving” can be viewed at https://www.pbs.org/video/caregiving/.

If you are a family member looking for local resources in Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby or Vermilion counties, contact East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging at (800) 888-4456.