May is Older Americans Month and this year's theme is Never Too Old to Play. Canton Public Library offers several opportunities to play in May. On Thursday, May 3 view the new documentary Honor Flight Michigan. Travel with a group of Michigan's World War II veterans to Washington, DC, visit the National World War II Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and catch up with old war buddies. The Canton Seniors Book Group meets on Wednesday, May 23 to discuss the 2012 Everyone's Reading selection, Lethal by Sandra Brown and on Thursday, May 24 sing along with former New Christy Minstrels member, Jackie Davidson and her partner, Gary Brandt as they sing the good old songs again.

The American Library Association has joined the National Institutes of Health promoting Go4Life. Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, is designed to help individuals fit exercise and physical activity into their daily life.

Older & wiser workout [videodisc]: for active older adults by with Sue Grant; produced by FitFlix Productions

Lilias! yoga: your guide to enhancing body, mind, and spirit in midlife and beyond by Lilias Folas

Older & wiser workout [videodisc]: for active older adults by with Sue Grant; produced by FitFlix Productions

Second wind: the rise of the ageless athlete by Lee Bergquist

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced today. The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2011.
[Photo Courtesy of AP Images.]

Generations United recently published a fact sheet explaining The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and it's impact on older adults and children: Health Care Benefits for Children & Older Adults: The Affordable Care Act.

Since 1963, May has been declared Older Americans Month by the Agency on Aging. The theme of this year's celebration — Older Americans: Connecting the Community — pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities. It also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives. Canton Public Library offers a variety of programs this month which should interest older adults:

• May 7, 9:30-11:30AM — Computer Maintenance
• May 11, 7:00-8:00PM — Conquering Your Pain the Holistic Way (Canceled)
• May 20, 2:00-3:00PM — Transitioning
• May 25, 2:00-3:00PM — Canton Seniors Book Discussion Group
• May 26, 7:00-8:00PM — From Tiger Stadium to Comerica Park

When people hear the words "long-term care," they often think only of nursing homes, but long-term care includes much more. Personal care, home health care, transportation services and adult day care are all long-term care services, and they can be critical to an older person's health care. Find information on the range of long-term care services available and suggestions about planning for future needs on NIHSeniorHealth, the health and wellness website for older adults from the National Institute on Aging.

The Canton Seniors Book Discussion group has recessed for the summer. Book discussions will resume on September 28, 2011.  We will be reading Sarah Gruen's Water for Elephants.  Copies of this book will be available beginning Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Ask at the Adult Reference Desk for a copy.

The group's 2011-2012 book discussion titles and dates will be available on the Canton Public Library  book clubs' website in August.

Each year the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging and the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging join to honor outstanding contributions by Michigan's older citizens. The Senior Citizen of the Year Award highlights the contributions to civic and social life made by persons aged 60 years and older. Awards are given in two categories:

• Leadership in the community
• Service provided to others

Below are guidelines and nomination forms for the 2011 award. Nominations must be submitted by organizations and signed by the presiding officer, e.g., the executive director, CEO, or board president. Nominations must be postmarked by Monday, May 2, 2011 and sent to:

Michigan Office of Services to the Aging
Senior Citizen of the Year Award Program
P.O. Box 30676
Lansing, MI 48909-8176

If you have questions, please contact Carol Dye, Office of Services to the Aging, at 517-373-8268.

As Canton Township's 100 Days of Health initiative continues, consider the needs of older family members. Research has discovered that as we age, our diets and our need for dietary supplements become greater. Doctors are increasingly concerned about boosting the levels of vitamins and minerals that we need as we grow older. Loss of appetite may account for a vitamin/mineral deficiency in older adults.