Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is observed in May. The Administration for Community Living, a federal agency, leads the month of observance. OAM is a time to recognize the contributions of older Americans. It is also the time to highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serve older adults in our communities.

This year’s theme, “Flip the Script on Aging,” focuses on the importance of combating ageism to transform how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging by challenging stereotypes and highlighting the benefits of healthy aging.

“We often talk about aging as if it’s a problem to solve rather than a journey to honor. But the truth is, age isn’t a barrier—it’s a badge. The older adults in our communities have endured, contributed, and shaped the very world we live in. Ageism strips that away by reducing people to stereotypes and assumptions, when in reality, they are still dreaming, still doing, still deserving of opportunity. Flipping the script on aging means creating systems and spaces where growing older is not feared or hidden, but embraced and respected. It’s about listening more closely, valuing lived experience, and remembering that vitality doesn’t end with youth—it evolves with wisdom.” —Nikki Balthazar, Community Advocate & Regional Director of the Alabama Kidney Foundation, Huntsville Region

What Organizations Can Do

• Promote OAM within professional and personal networks.
• Encourage followers to share thoughts and stories on social media using #FlipTheScriptOnAging.
• Share tips on language and activities that dispel myths about aging.
• Host events or programs where older adults can mentor peers, younger adults, or youths to help dispel misconceptions about ageism.

 What You Can Do To Combat Ageism

• Celebrate the contributions of people of all ages in the workplace and community.
• Avoid ageist statements when talking about growing older.
• Promote fact-based messages about older adults’ abilities and value to communities.
• Visit the webpage for the Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute to find resources for older adults. The institute can also be reached at 256-372-7022.

To grow older offers the promises of health, independence, autonomy, opportunities, and more. As society reframes pessimistic attitudes on aging, the approach and conversations about aging shift to being more supportive and hopeful. At a time when older adults over 60 outnumber children under ten, we should not only promote positive aging but also celebrate it. Challenging the stereotypes, prejudices, and discriminations that are discouragingly associated with the physical and cognitive changes one might experience as they age are ways to reduce the growing harm of ageism. Flipping the script on aging isn’t just for Older Americans Month; it’s a year-round effort to embrace aging through our behaviors, feelings, and thoughts.