Since 1963, the month of May has been officially designated Older Americans Month and National Elder Law Month. At the time, only 17 million Americans had reached the age of 65 and about a third of them lived in abject poverty. Few programs existed to meet their needs and senior-directed resources were scarce. Thankfully, those circumstances have dramatically evolved for the better, but there is still much work to be done.
Currently, seniors make up about 16 percent of the U.S. population. With continuing advances in medicine and technology, however, and the sustained aging of the Baby Boomer generation, the senior population is only expected to rise in the coming years. By 2050, one in five Americans is expected to be aged 65 or over. That means more and more people, seniors, their families, caregivers and affected industries, will have concerns, for which organizers of Older Americans Month and National Elder Law Month are already addressing.
The U.S. Administration for Community Living leads the annual observance of Older Americans Month. It is an effort aimed at celebrating seniors around the country through ceremonies, events, fairs and similar activities. The theme for 2020 is “Make Your Mark,” which is meant to encourage and honor the contributions that older adults make every day.
National Elder Law Month has long been embraced by the elder law community as an occasion to help seniors better understand their rights, concerns and legal options across a wide range of issues. Accordingly, members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys have organized special living days, public seminars, elder law clinics and many other events to bring seniors, their families and elder law attorneys together.
Whether we are celebrating these months now or any time throughout the year, our goal is always to work with you to ensure that you have the Florida estate planning you need when you are healthy, but also with consideration of your potential future needs for long-term care. If you or someone you know would like more information or specific guidance on senior legal matters, do not wait to contact our law practice.