Seniors Celebrated during Older American's Month

Seniors and members of the health care profession always deserve extra recognition and recently, the City of Laurel, DJ Transit, and South Central Regional Medical Center has been delivering.

On Monday, April 29 Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee met with members of the community to proclaim the month of May as Older American’s Month 2024.

The proclamation read as follows:

Whereas, the City of Laurel includes a growing number of older Americans who contribute their time, wisdom, and experience to our community; and

Whereas, communities benefit when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds have the opportunity to participate and live independently; and

Whereas, the City of Laurel recognizes the need to create a community that offers the support older adults may need to make choices about how they age; and

Whereas, the City of Laurel can work to build an even better community for our older residents by:

Not limiting our thinking about aging

Exploring and combating stereotypes

Emphasizing the many positive aspects of aging

Inspiring older adults to push past traditional boundaries

Embracing our community’s diversity

Now, therefore, I, Johnny Magee, Mayor of the City of Laurel, do hereby proclaim May 2024 to be Older Americans Month and urge every resident to celebrate our older citizens to help create an inclusive society, and to accept the challenge of flexible thinking around aging.

On Monday, May 13, Mayor Magee visited SCRMC’s Comfort Care Nursing Center in Laurel to proclaim the week of May 12^th- 18^th in honor and recognition of National Nursing Home Week.

The event is part of the American Health Care Association’s (ACHA) annual National Skilled Nursing Care Week. The annual observance recognizes and celebrates the role that skilled nursing care centers play in the lives of millions of individuals. This year’s theme is “Radiant Memories: A Tribute to the Golden Age of Radio.”

Comfort Care Nursing Center will observe the week with daily themed activities. Monday’s theme was Western Day, followed by 70’s Day on Tuesday, 50s Day on Wednesday, and Old Fashioned Day on Thursday.

The proclamation read as follows:

Whereas, we honor and respect our elders and citizens of any age who reside in skilled nursing home centers in Laurel, Mississippi; and,

Whereas, the citizens of Laurel and Jones County now residing in nursing homes have contributed immeasurably to the heritage, success and growth of our community; and

Whereas, our nursing home residents of any age or ability are themselves living history and a precious resource that should be treasured by all Mississippians; and

Whereas, the staff and volunteers in nursing homes help residents live life to their fullest potential by providing a holistic approach to long term care and who sacrifice time and effort each day in doing for others; and

Whereas; South Central Regional Medical Center’s Comfort Care Nursing Home is holding events in observance of National Nursing Home Week using this year’s theme of “Radiant Memories” is a call to honor the enduring legacy of skilled nursing care centers, where residents and staff contribute to the creation of radiant memories, akin to the cherished moments shared through music and stories over the radio waves.

Now, therefore, I, Johnny Magee, Mayor of the City of Laurel, urge all citizens to visit a loved one, family member, or friend residing in any care setting and offer a kind word, a personal touch, and spend time with those from all walks of life in need of our continuing love and support.

To wrap up the month of honoring seniors, DJ Transit will host Mayfest Community Celebration for Seniors at Chateau Adult Day Center in Laurel on May 31 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will feature a BBQ, a live DJ, and vendors from around the area to bring awareness to the important role seniors in the community.