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By Tana Shealey

Special to The Lowndes Signal 

May is Older Americans’ Month. It is a celebration that began in 1963, and each year organizers offer a different theme supporting each of us who are growing older, and hopefully wiser.  

This year’s theme is “Flipping the Script on Aging,” according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  

That is certainly something that the Extension team in Lowndes County thinks about doing each time we hold a class or workshop with our senior stakeholders teaching nutrition, gardening, arts and crafts, and severe weather preparedness. We find new ways to present information that many stakeholders are familiar with but might need a “flipped script” to navigate the changing narratives of learning.  

Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) has a division whose entire purpose centers on helping us grow wiser. The Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute, which operates through Alabama A&M University has classes for us aging young-at-heart Alabamians. Many of the Virginia Caples classes are offered online, and senior citizens can participate in exercise classes, learn gardening tips, or learn the best practices of putting their finances in order for their families.  

Our Lowndes County team visits with senior citizens at their meeting locations in Mosses, White Hall, Fort Deposit and Hayneville teaching a variety of topics. Over this past year, we have included teaching seniors about making flowers out of tissue paper, using containers to grow vegetables, and helping seniors prepare for severe weather by providing free NOAA weather radios to them.  

All Lowndes County Extension classes for senior citizens are free and open to the public.  

On Friday, May 23, the Hayneville Senior Center will hold its Older Americans’ Day celebration, and Hayneville Senior Center Administrator Mary Edwards says her clients enjoy the day. 

“We have a lot of fun on Older Americans’ Day,” Edwards said. “Our seniors wear their special t-shirts we have designed for them. We play music, and eat great food, and there are presentations from our sponsors and retired military officers. The seniors just really enjoy this event.” 

The Hayneville Senior Center has held many Older Americans’ Day celebrations, and our team will be there Friday. The Lowndes County ACES team enjoys talking with our stakeholders who are lifelong learners – and teachers- as we celebrate becoming older Americans. 

If you would like learn more about the Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute, call (256) 372-7022, or visit the webpage Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute to find resources for older adults.  

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity employer and educator. All are welcome.

Tana Shealey is Lowndes County Extension Director.