http://www.acl.gov/olderamericansmonth

Outreach Guide 
Social Media

ENGAGE WITH ACL

Facebook

• Tag us by typing “Administration for 

Community Living” in your write-up.

• “Like” https://www.facebook.com/aclgov.

• Post updates and photos of your activities 

directly on ACL’s Facebook page.

• Share and “like” OAM content on other 

sites to help spread the word.

• Share, comment on, or “like” posts on ACL’s 

timeline to show your support.

Twitter

• Follow @ACLgov on Twitter.

• Retweet ACL posts and encourage 

followers to do the same for your tweets.

• Repost tweets on Facebook to increase 

your reach.

• Tweet about your activities. Use photos and 

links to increase engagement. 

• Add the hashtag #OAM15 to your tweets 

so that all OAM15 followers can see them.

About Older Americans Month

Each May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) celebrates Older Americans 

Month to recognize older Americans for their contributions to the nation. This year, 

in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act, we focus on how older 

adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities, and 

making a positive impact in the lives of others. This year’s theme is “Get into the Act” 

and we hope you will join us in making this a month – and year – of action!

About This Guide

ACL encourages groups around the country to celebrate and educate their communities in 

honor of Older Americans Month. This guide includes tips and suggestions that can be tailored 

to best suit your audience. Whether you choose to host an event, publish an article, or engage 

others through social media, we commend your participation. By focusing on older adults and 

important aging issues, you are making a positive impact in the lives of Americans of all ages.

TELL ACL! Older Americans Month is all about promoting 

health and building communities across the nation. We 

encourage you to share information about your activities with 

other communities and with us. Don’t forget #OAM15 – 

the official hashtag of Older Americans Month.
Sample Facebook Posts

• “Get into the Act” for Older Americans 

Month 2015. Join in recognizing older 

adults for their contributions by helping 

them stay healthy, active, and engaged 

as they age. http://www.acl.gov/

olderamericansmonth

• By the year 2020, more than 55 million 

U.S. adults will be over the age of 65. 

Older Americans Month is an opportunity 

to celebrate the many ways they 

contribute to our lives. http://www.acl.gov/

olderamericansmonth

• Older adults have a lot to offer and there 

are many ways to give back through 

volunteering. “Get into the Act” this Older 

Americans Month and learn more about 

the opportunities in your area. http://www.

volunteeringinamerica.gov/

• During Older Americans Month and 

throughout the year, help the older 

Americans in your life maintain their 

strength and mobility -- attend a yoga, 

water aerobics, or dance class together. 

http://go4life.nia.nih.gov/

Sample Tweets

• May is Older Americans Month. Empower 

older adults in your community through 

health and inclusivity. #OAM15 http://www.

acl.gov/olderamericansmonth

• Join us as we “Get into the Act” for Older 

Americans Month. #OAM15. <insert link to 

local activities>

• How will you celebrate Older Americans 

Month this May? We want to hear from you! 

#OAM15

• Time to “Get into the Act.” The US 

population over age 60 is projected 

to increase by 26% between 2012 & 

2020. #OAM15 http://www.acl.gov/

olderamericansmonth

• Older adults have a lot to offer; http://www.

serve.gov/ has ideas for volunteer projects. 

#OAM15 

• Help older adults maintain strength & 

mobility. Attend yoga, water aerobics, or 

dance class together. #OAM15 http://

go4life.nia.nih.gov/

• Give back to those who have done so much 

for us. This #OAM15 “Get into the Act” at 

http://www.giveitbacktoseniors.org/

Sample Article

Consider writing an article to raise awareness of and encourage participation in OAM. A sample 

article is available at http://www.acl.gov/olderamericansmonth. Use it as a template to write 

your own article, or simply fill in the placeholders and publish.

PROMOTE OAM

Whether you’re using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or all of the above, engage 

your audience with OAM activities and tips to help them take steps to improve their health, get 

involved in the community, and enrich the lives of others. Don’t forget to use photos and graphics – 

they attract more attention and promote sharing.
Event Ideas

HOST A “GET INTO THE ACT” DAY

Better your community while demonstrating 

how older adults can give back by organizing 

a volunteering activity for all ages. Start or 

contribute to a community garden, coordinate 

a neighborhood clean-up, or bring together 

a group to cook or otherwise provide for 

those less fortunate in your area. Consider 

asking older community members to serve 

in leadership positions for the big day, 

and emphasize the importance of many 

generations coming together for a common 

cause that benefits everyone.

ORGANIZE A HEALTHY AGING 

ACTIVITY SERIES

Offer a series (or single event) focused on 

healthy aging of the mind and body. Contact 

local organizations and businesses to seek 

interest in providing space, classes, or experts. 

Ideas for the series include low-impact 

group exercise, like yoga or walking; nutrition 

classes or consultations; and brain-stimulating 

activities, like a game day. Keep in mind that 

participants’ abilities may vary, so make a list 

of things you may need, like chairs for seated 

exercise or large-print handouts.

COORDINATE A COMMUNITY 

CONTRIBUTION CELEBRATION

Bring together organizations and community 

members to celebrate the achievements of 

older adults in your area. Possible honorees 

include council members, volunteers, 

advocates, teachers, and other community 

leaders. Develop awards and promote the 

celebration with a nomination contest. This 

type of event is also a great time to draw 

attention to the ways in which the Older 

Americans Act benefits your community 

through its funded programs.

FACILITATE A COMMUNITY FORUM

Provide an opportunity for discussion of 

important aging issues in a positive and 

engaging environment. Perhaps your goal is 

to generate ideas for community activities 

throughout the coming year, or maybe there’s 

a particular topic important to your group, like 

how to keep the local senior center going. 

Remember, choosing the right moderator(s) 

and setting expectations for all involved are 

the keys to a successful exchange. Offer a 

take-home resource guide or other giveaway 

as a bonus for participating.

HOLD A WELLNESS WORKSHOP

Invite local health professionals, agencies, 

and/or organizations to provide information on 

one or many topics. Possible subjects include 

the Older Americans Act, injury prevention, 

transportation, starting a second career, 

community involvement, and recognizing the 

warning signs of elder abuse. When possible, 

include demonstrations and other interactive 

activities to make it an engaging event. 

Refreshments are always a plus!

Sample Proclamation

Another way to increase awareness about OAM is to garner support from a mayor or governor 

by requesting public recognition through a proclamation – a government document that officially 

recognizes an observance in your community. A sample proclamation is available at http://www.

acl.gov/olderamericansmonth.
The 5 Ps of Successful Events

PLAN. Thoughtful preparation is the key to 

a successful event. Start planning early and 

establish clear goals. Identify individuals who 

can help with planning, including stakeholders, 

volunteers, and vendors. Meet regularly and 

keep track of decisions and action items. 

Make sure to reserve event space early in the 

process.

PARTNER. Join forces with organizations 

and individuals in your community. Partners 

can often provide in-kind services, volunteers, 

and materials to support you. They may also 

know of speakers and media contacts who 

are interested in participating. As a bonus, 

partnering often leads to further partnering in 

the future!

PROMOTE. Develop a publicity plan to 

promote your activity. Identify a spokesperson, 

create a press release, and contact local media 

outlets. Use traditional strategies, like posting 

flyers, as well as new media and your website 

to promote and garner coverage.

PRODUCE. Host your event in a space large 

enough to accommodate your group and 

easy to access for all participants. Be sure 

to bring appropriate supplies and resources, 

such as tables, chairs, registration materials, 

signs, handouts, refreshments, and audiovisual 

equipment. You may also wish to consider 

insurance in case of an injury on site.

PUBLISH. Share your coverage with 

partners, stakeholders, and everyone else 

who helped you with planning and production. 

Post a feature summary of event coverage on 

your website, and highlight key aspects via 

social media. Don’t forget to include photos, 

which gain traction for your posts and are 

most appreciated by attendees.

Resources

Staying Engaged Through Work and Play

Community Service Projects: http://www.serve.gov

Creative Activities for Older Adults: http://www.creativeaging.org

Recareering and Retirement: http://www.aarp.org/work/working-after-retirement/

Volunteerism: http://www.giveitbacktoseniors.org/

Injury and Abuse Prevention

Elder Abuse Prevention: http://ncea.aoa.gov/

Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults: http://www.acl.gov/Get_Help/Preparedness/ Falls Prevention: http://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/falls-prevention/

Financial Protection: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/older-americans/

Home Safety Checklist: http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/122038/701.pdf

Healthy Living

Brain Health: http://www.acl.gov/Get_Help/BrainHealth/Index.aspx 

Exercise and Fitness: http://go4life.nia.nih.gov/get-started

Health Information for Older Adults: http://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/index.htm

Living with Alzheimer’s Disease: http://alzheimers.gov

Nutrition Tips: http://www.nutrition.gov/life-stages/seniors

Older Americans Act (OAA)

About the Act: http://www.aoa.acl.gov/AoA_Programs/OAA/ 

AoA (OAA-funded) Programs: http://www.aoa.acl.gov/