Since President Kennedy declared May to be Senior Citizens Month, every subsequent president has continued to designate May as a month to show support for older Americans. President Carter changed the name to Older Americans Month and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) refers to May as National Elder Law Month. It is an opportunity for awareness and education on issues which affect most families and for support of older Americans.

This is especially relevant in Pennsylvania where the population is definitely “graying”.  The senior citizen category grew by 13.5% from 2010 to 2016, according to a recent research report from the Pennsylvania State Data Center.  In south-central Pennsylvania counties, seniors account for 15-19% of the population.  Local senior residents are fortunate to have a wide variety of resources and services available through many different organizations, both public and private.  

Senior Community Centers offer a broad range of assistance.  While the offerings at each specific facility vary, typical programs and resources include:  health screenings, Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, nutrition education, exercise classes, craft classes, computer labs, games, guest speakers, day/overnight trips and entertainment.  A complete listing of York County senior centers is available at https://yorkcountypa.gov/health-human-services/agency-on-aging/senior-centers.html

We encourage everyone to participate in National Elder Law Month in some way. Explore a nearby senior community center, volunteer your time, learn about elder law issues, or make a contribution to support these vital resources for seniors.  

We offer free educational workshops on estate planning and elder law related topics.  Join us by clicking here to RSVP – pick the day and time that works best for you and we'll save you a seat.