May is Senior Month in West Hollywood

The month of May will see West Hollywood's 65 and over population march for age, learn Tai Chi and yoga, and wine and dine on the rooftop ballroom of the Andaz hotel. It is all part of Annual Senior Month, which the city has celebrated for more than 20 years.

“Our seniors have taught us perseverance, hard work, endless vitality and have been a well of wisdom for all of us to draw upon," said Mayor John Duran. "It is only fitting for all of us to celebrate Senior Month and acknowledge the enormous contributions of our elders."

There were 17 million Americans over the age of 65 when President John F. Kennedy issued a formal proclamation in 1963, asking that “the nation pay tribute to older people in their communities.”  The month of May was soon designated: National Senior Citizens Month.

President Jimmy Carter’s 1980 designation changed the language to Older Americans Month, perhaps anticipating the Baby Boomers’ negative attitude about the word “senior.” 

In West Hollywood, where the observance is known as Senior Month, residents who are 65 and over make up about 20 percent of the city’s population (as of 1990), according to Daphne Dennis, manger of social services for the city. Nationwide, there are 39.6 million Americans over the age of 65 and counting.

The theme of this year's celebration, "Connecting the Community," pays homage to the inspiration and continuity seniors bring to the "community fabric," according to the U.S. Administration on Aging, and highlights the the many ways technology has increased the vitality and standard of living of older Americans.  

The 10th Annual Senior Awards Luncheon and Dance will kick off Senior Month in West Hollywood on May 4 at the Andaz West Hollywood Hotel. Two of the city’s senior citizens—Marra Driker and Bill Senigram—will be honored for outstanding volunteerism.

The Senior Health Fair will take place the following week on May 11 at Plummer Park. This free event will include Tai Chi and yoga, health screenings, information provided by more than 50 community organizations, and a complimentary lunch.

On May 21, West Hollywood will host an Age March. A first for the city, participants of all ages will start near the Pacific Design Center, and walk through West Hollywood Park to draw attention to the negative media stereotypes about aging.

Annually, the Senior Advisory Board Meeting is broadcast live on Time Warner Cable’s City Channel 10. Meet the people who toil throughout the year to help ensure that the needs of the city’s older population are met on Wednesday, May 25 in Plummer Park, Rooms 5 and 6. 

A free lecture series will also be offered during Senior Month. How to Select and Prepare Those Fresh Fruit Favorites will be held on Thursday, May 19 and West Hollywood Library and Park Project Overview Plummer Park Project Overview will be held on Thursday, May 26 in Room 6 at the Community Center at Plummer Park.

For complete information on Senior Month, call 323-848-6510 or visit www.weho.org.