Communities of Strength -- Happy Older Americans Month!

Take a look at the many wonderful ways we are celebrating Older Americans throughout the month of May 2021. Spread the word, and Enjoy!!

Countdown to Older Americans Month: May 2021

 In tough times, communities find strength in people—and people find strength in their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again in Buncombe County as friends, neighbors, and businesses have found new ways to support each other.   

In our community, older adults are a key source of this strength. Today, twenty percent of Buncombe County residents are age 65+, and in fewer than twenty years, one quarter of our residents will be age 65+.  Through their experiences, successes, and difficulties, our older family, friends, neighbors and colleagues have built resilience that helps them to face new challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too.   

Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the celebration of Older Americans Month. This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities.  Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life—a conversation shared with a friend, working in the garden, trying a new recipe, or taking time for a cup of tea on a busy day. And when we share these activities with others—even virtually or by telling about the experience later—we help them build resilience too.   

This year, we will celebrate Older Americans Month by encouraging community members to share their experiences. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.   Here are some ways to share and connect:  

• Look for joy in the everyday: Celebrate small moments and ordinary pleasures by taking time to recognize them. Start a gratitude journal and share it with others via social media, or call a friend or family member to share a happy moment or to say thank you.  
• Reach out to neighbors: Even if you can’t get together in person right now, you can still connect with your neighbors. Leave a small gift on their doorstep, offer to help with outdoor chores, or deliver a home cooked meal. 
• Build new skills: Learning something new allows us to practice overcoming challenges. Take an art course online or try a socially distanced outdoor movement class to enjoy learning with others in your community. Have a skill to share? Find an opportunity to teach someone, even casually.
• Share your story: There’s a reason storytelling is a time-honored activity. Hearing how others experience the world helps us grow. Interviewing family, friends, and neighbors can open up new conversations and strengthen our connections.   

When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or service—we help build strong communities. And that’s something to celebrate! Please join Age-friendly Buncombe County in strengthening our community. Click Here and tell us what gives you strength. We will compile what you tell us, and share it back in our May 3rd blog.   

For more resources, visit the official OAM website, follow ACL on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation via #OlderAmericansMonth.

It’s Not Too Late to Register for the Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games

The National Senior Games – The Senior Olympics – have been around for nearly 35 years. Although this national competition occurs biannually, our local Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts events take place every spring, with hundreds of locals age 50+ participating. Silver Arts is a statewide arts program that celebrates the accomplishments of artists age 50+ and provides a showcase for talent.   

Of course, there was one notable exception to our local events. In 2020 the games were first postponed, and then ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the 2020 State Games were held, albeit virtually; and Buncombe County was well represented. Fifteen Buncombe County residents competed, and one Black Mountain man, David Shepard, earned 13 Gold, 4 Silver, and 1 Bronze medal across events in 10 categories!  

This year, the Asheville-Buncombe program will be held at locations throughout Buncombe County from the week of April 19 through May 19 (tentative). Sports include bowling, croquet, football throw, softball throw, golf, putt-putt, cycling, track and field, archery, cheerleading, swimming, billiards, badminton, corn hole, horseshoes, pickle ball, racquetball, shuffleboard, tennis, and table tennis. Age categories start at 50 and increase at five year intervals.  

Silver Arts categories are classified as Heritage (quilting, woodwork, crochet, basket weaving, jewelry, needlework, tole painting, weaving, knitting, pottery, stained glass, woodcarving, and woodturning), Visual (solo, small group, and large group), Performing, Literary (poem, short story, essay, and life experience), and Contemporary. Art pieces will be displayed online. 

Registration for our local program is open through April 19 and there is no registration fee. To register, fill out this registration form and follow the instructions, or register online at www.ncseniorgames.org.  

Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts is affiliated with Age-friendly Buncombe County.