The month of May is Older Americans Month and a great time to recognize that there are many important issues that affect older adults and opportunities to help create ways to improve our quality of life.

Each year the Federal Administration on Aging helps support this recognition of older adults by sponsoring events and creating a theme that helps to educate all of us about the needs of the growing population of people over 65 living in our communities.

The theme this year is "Living Today for a Better Tomorrow." We are experiencing an explosion of information that helps all of us to be better informed and skilled at taking care of our health. Each and every day is an opportunity to make good choices about the food we eat, the amount of exercise we get and to reach out and engage in social activities in the community.

During Older Americans Month, Senior and Disability Services works with community partners to organize the "Live Well, Age Well Health Expo" at the Linn County Expo Center. Our major partners this year include the Cascades West Senior Services Foundation, Samaritan Health Services and Albany Parks and Recreation.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 13. There will be free health screenings available along with presentations, demonstrations and exhibitor booths representing a variety of products and services for older adults.

This year we have been fortunate enough to be able to schedule two tracks of guest presentations that include acupuncture, stress reduction techniques, treating depression and anxiety in older adults, preventing financial abuse and fraud and healthy heart advice.

In addition to the presentations, there will be an area devoted to demonstrations. We have scheduled professional demonstrations in the areas of Tai Chi, Hatha Yoga, Pilates, Tips for Healthy Eating and Master Gardeners as well as others.

We hope that through the various presentations, demonstrations, and exhibitors you will be able to learn something new or find a resource person to assist you in your personal journey toward health. You will get to experience the growing wealth of information and supportive programs that are in our community and meet new people who are dedicated to helping you achieve a positive, healthy life as you age.

In past years, I have talked with many of the attendees considered "baby boomers," who have come with one or both of their parents to explore the event and participate in presentations. When we make health a shared family value, we can open up different conversations with our parents as well as our children.

Those who attend the May 13 event can participate in a presentation or discover something new about healthy aging. Through events such as these, we can help to dismiss the negative stereotypes of getting old. We all deserve the best possible health as we grow older.

Scott Bond is the Director of Senior and Disability Services for Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, the Area Agency on Aging for Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties. He can be reached at 812-6008 or by e-mail at sbond@ocwcog.org.