To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim May 2026 as Older Americans Month in Contra Costa County.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution proclaiming May 2026 as Older Americans Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Employment & Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Older Americans Month is a time to recognize older adults' contributions and reaffirm our commitment to supporting their health and independence. In Contra Costa County, we are Celebrating All Ages - the theme of an ongoing age-friendly campaign that launched in 2025.
The Older Americans Month 2026 theme of Champion Your Health, underscores prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It encourages taking an active role in managing and advocating for one’s health, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions.
This year’s Older Americans Month is focused on evidence-based approaches, self-management, caregiver roles, and community partnerships that empower individuals to lead healthy lives.
#OlderAmericansMonth
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
No formal recognition of Older Americans Month in Contra Costa County.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School”; (2) “Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood”; (3) “Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing”; and (5) “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF proclaiming May 2026 as Older Americans Month in Contra Costa County:
WHEREAS, National Older Americans Month recognizes older adults’ contributions and reaffirms the commitment to supporting their health and independence; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Older Americans Month theme, “Champion Your Health,” underscores prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of health aging, to encourage older adults’ active role in managing and advocating for their health, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County is home to a growing older adult population, with approximately 286,091 residents aged 60 and over, making up 24.5% of the county’s total population; and
WHEREAS, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) supports the implementation of the Master Plan for Aging for Contra Costa County, promoting the development of age- and disability-friendly communities by advocating for an infrastructure that fully and meaningfully prioritizes the needs of older and disabled adults and those who care for them; and
WHEREAS, the AAA helps improve access to information, assistance, and resources to promote equity and visibility of services among older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers; and
WHEREAS, the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) launched the age-friendly multi-media campaign “Celebrating All Ages” focused on dispelling age bias, challenging myths about getting older, encouraging intergenerational connections, and celebrating lifelong contributions; and
WHEREAS, EHSD leverages strong partnerships with community-based organizations to support independence and health for older adults.
WHEREAS, the AAA served 42,331 people in Contra Costa County during Fiscal Year 2024-25 through a variety of services supported by the Older Americans Act (OAA), including home delivered meals, congregate meals, case management, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), transportation, and other programs; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims May 2026 as Older Americans Month and commits to promoting initiatives that empower older adults, strengthen intergenerational ties, and support continued collaboration among County partners dedicated to enhancing the lives of our older residents.