Celebrating Older Americans Month: May Day Brings Community Together
As Older Americans Month comes to a close, Bay Aging is celebrating the connections, energy, and vitality of older adults across our region. Established in 1963, Older Americans Month recognizes the contributions of older adults, celebrates their impact on our communities, and renews a commitment to helping people age with health, dignity, and independence. This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, encourages older adults and communities alike to focus on prevention and wellness, strengthen social connections, and share information that empowers people to maintain their health and independence.
That spirit was on full display during Bay Aging’s May Day celebration held at the Deltaville Maritime Museum on May 20. The celebration brought participants from all seven Active Lifestyle Centers with older adults representing ten counties across the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners together for a joyful close to the month. In keeping with the Champion Your Health theme, the event highlighted the importance of staying informed and proactive about personal well-being. Bay Aging President Kathy Vesley welcomed attendees, and Lisa Walker of Advocacy Resources shared practical fraud prevention tips to help older adults protect themselves from scams and financial exploitation—an important part of supporting safety, confidence, and independence.
“Older Americans Month is a time to celebrate the strength, wisdom, and contributions of older adults in our communities,” said Kathy Vesley, Bay Aging President. “Our May Day celebration was a wonderful
reflection of this year’s theme, Champion Your Health, by bringing people together for connection, learning, and fun while reinforcing the importance of staying active, informed, and engaged.”
Entertainment added even more excitement to the day. Participants from the West Point Active Lifestyle Center, the Sassy Golden Drumettes, delighted the audience with a lively performance that included singing, dancing, and drumming on exercise balls. The celebration continued with music from Hard To Tell Band, inviting attendees onto the dance floor and creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere throughout the afternoon.
The event was made possible through the support of many helping hands. Bay Aging Board Directors Vera Lee, Donna Givens, Dr. Barry Gross, and Jim Dudley were among those who came out to assist, alongside Active Lifestyle Center and volunteer staff. Bay Aging also provided lunch for attendees, and local businesses contributed door prizes that added another special touch to the celebration.
Events like May Day are especially meaningful in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, where the population is older than average compared with both Virginia and the nation. In Bay Aging’s service area, 34.4% of the population is age 60 or older, compared with 22.6% in Virginia and 23.3% in the United States. Four of Virginia’s five oldest counties, as measured by median age, are located within Bay Aging’s region.
As Older Americans Month concludes, the May Day celebration offered a meaningful reminder of what healthy aging looks like in action: staying informed, staying connected, and staying engaged in community life. It also reflected the heart of Champion Your Health by promoting wellness, social connection, and access to information that helps older adults remain active and independent. Bay Aging remains committed to honoring older adults and supporting opportunities for health, dignity, independence, and connection all year long.
