Caroline

You’ve chosen a terrific way of integrating images and text into your website. Move the image anywhere you want in this container and the text will automatically wrap around it. You can display events team members new products and more easily and creatively. To start add an image from the Image Picker and edit it as you would edit any image in the system. For example you can link the image to existing pages in your site a website URL a popup or an anchor. After you’ve chosen the image add your text. You can add text that describes the image you’ve selected or simply use the image for decorative purposes. \nYou’ve chosen a terrific way of integrating images and text into your website. Move the image anywhere you want in this container and the text will automatically wrap around it. You can display events team members new products more easily and creatively. To start add an image from the Image Picker and edit it as you would edit any image in the system. For example you can link the image to existing pages in your site a website URL a popup or an anchor. After you’ve chosen the image add your text. You can add text that describes the image you’ve selected or simply use the image for decorative purposes.

What is OAM?

Physical Fitness

Nutrition

Be social!

Managing Chronic Conditions

Keep up with Immunizations

Physical activity is essential to good health. No matter how you choose to move, daily activity supports strength, balance, and independence. This Older Americans Month and beyond, champion your health by staying active.

Older adults can stay physically active by aiming for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (like brisk walking, swimming, or dancing) combined with muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week. Key activities include yoga, Tai Chi for balance, gardening, cycling, and using light weights or resistance bands.

Keys to success:

Find physical activities you enjoy and schedule those activities often. (Check out Wellness Centers, your county's Parks & Rec Department, or Senior Centers for group activieis for fitness. Many are geared to older adults.)
If you are just getting started, begin with a shorter time period and work up to 150 minute total over many weeks or as you feel ready.
Wear comfortable, supportive footwear, ensuring they have non-skid soles.
Find a friend, spouse, or group that you can exercise with to keep you motivated and (extra bonus!) socially active.

Don't forget to stretch! – Improving flexibility in your muscles is important for maintaining your ability to perform everyday activities and prevent injuries.

Stretch for at least 10 minutes per day.
Stretch only after you have done a 5-10 minute warm-up to prevent injuries caused by stretching cold muscles.
You can also stretch after your workout.
Stretch slowly, holding each stretch for 30-60 seconds. Be sure to stretch all the major muscle groups in your body.

Try yoga and tai chi - they include a variety of stretching exercises.

Healthy eating for older adults typcially means nutrient-dense, lower-calorie foods to match slowing metabolisms, focusing on high protein, fiber, calcium, and Vitamin D to combat age-related muscle and bone loss. Key strategies include hydrating regularly, eating colorful fruits and vegetables, and minimizing added sugar and sodium. Older adults can focus on nutrient-dense foods to make every calorie count!

Check in with your doctor or a nutritionist to get helpful information specific to you, because everyone is different!

Being social is critical for older adults as it directly improves cognitive function, boosts mental health by reducing depression and loneliness, and lowers the risk of chronic physical conditions like heart disease and stroke. Regular social interaction acts as brain exercise, enhancing memory and emotional regulation, while fostering a sense of purpose and improving overall quality of life.

Watch the video below on ways to stay socially connected. Or check out the PATH Volunteer Hub for hundred of volunteer opportunities, your County's Senior Center, or the Parks & Rec Department for activities and classes.

A chronic condition or disease is a long-lasting health condition—typically lasting one year or more—that requires ongoing medical care, limits daily activities, or both. These conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, generally cannot be cured but can often be managed through treatment and lifestyle changes.

If you need help managing a chronic disease check with your doctor. You can also check out The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a six-week, 2.5-hour workshop that offers tools and information to help people manage their chronic conditions and participate more fully in life. This program is offered regularly by Encompass Community Supports.

Key Reasons for Vaccination in Older Adults

Weakened Immunity: As adults age, their immune systems become less efficient, making it harder to fight infections.

Preventing Complications: Vaccines prevent serious complications from diseases like influenza and pneumonia, which are leading causes of illness in seniors.

Managing Chronic Conditions: Vaccines protect those with underlying conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, from severe complications.

Reducing Severe Outcomes: Vaccinated individuals are far less likely to be hospitalized or die from diseases like COVID-19 and the flu.

Protection Beyond Infection: Some vaccines, including the shingles vaccine, have been associated with a reduced risk of stroke, heart disease, and dementia

Aging Together has been honoring the positive impact of older adults for 12 years with the annual 5 Over 65 Celebration (formerly 5 Over 50). The regional honor was created to highlight the significant contributions of older adults in each of our 5 counties.

The 5 Over 65 event underscores the fact that age doesn’t mean diminished capacity, and uproots stereotypes incorrectly assigned to older adults. In fact, through years of experience, older adults have singular wisdom that positively impacts our region in many ways including:

Hours of support to organizations through volunteerism
Caregiving for older and younger family members
Financial contributions supporting the community at large and causes that matter
Job experience that is passed on through mentorship and leadership in the workplace

Nominations are closed for 2026. Check back for the winners and see you at the celebration in August!

CELEBRATION

We work with our partners at Culpeper Media Network to highlight the five honorees, creating a film "mini-biopic" of each. The film is presented at the celebration.

This year's celebration is planned with our annual meeting on August 27, 2026 at Fauquier Springs Country Club. Check back for updated information!