Centralina Area Agency on Aging

This Mental Health Awareness Month we are reflecting on a previous program offered at Centralina Area Agency on Aging: PEARLS!

PEARLS stands for Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives and is a brief evidence-based program focused on reducing depressive symptoms and improving overall well-being among older adults. Staff member Amanda Dawson states "The change participants experience from the beginning of the program to the end is impactful and so positive.”

Although the PEARLS program has concluded, Centralina Area Agency on Aging continues to provide education, resources and support related to social isolation, loneliness and mental health for older adults, caregivers and professionals.

You can read more about PEARLS here: https://loom.ly/KgQbKv0

Lifting Lives with P.E.A.R.L.S. - Centralina Regional Council Social isolation and loneliness are more than emotional challenges. They pose serious threats to both mental and physical health, especially for older adults. According to the CDC, older adults who experience isolation face a higher risk of depression, heart disease, and suicidal thoughts.

Centralina Area Agency on Aging (CAAA) joined the Centralina Regional Council Planning Department for a walk audit!

Seeing our streets from a pedestrian perspective helps identify ways to make our community safer, more walkable, and age-friendly for all. We are grateful for the ways CAAA and the Planning Department partner and collaborate to serve our communities.🩵

Every May, Older Americans Month celebrates the contributions of older adults and reaffirms our commitment to serving them. The 2026 theme, "Champion Your Health,” highlights prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. ACL.gov/OAM

Thank you, USAging, for highlighting a few of the services Centralina Area Agency on Aging has available to support older adults in the greater Charlotte region!

Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in Charlotte, NC, supports their community through nutrition and activity programs such as home-delivered meals, congregate dining, mobile farm markets and onsite physical exercises. Watch “Fueling Healthy Aging: How Area Agencies on Aging Nourish Communities” to hear from two individuals who benefit from these services as they share their stories and highlight how their local AAA makes a positive impact in the community.
https://bit.ly/48Sv7Hg

The countdown is on—we’re excited, and we hope you are too!
Registration for the Connections That Count 2026 Aging Conference will be opening soon.

We’re pleased to offer three registration rates this year: Early Bird, Standard, and a limited number of Student tickets.

Come ready to connect, learn, and recharge with a full day of networking and an agenda packed with standout sessions.

Currently in the United States, 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Dementia not only affects the individual diagnosed but also has a significant impact on their entire family. Adult children, relatives, and friends often step into caregiving roles, which can be emotionally, physically, and financially overwhelming.

To address these challenges, Medicare has launched GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience), an eight-year pilot program designed to test the impact of providing comprehensive services and support for people living with dementia and their caregivers. You can read more about the GUIDE program here: https://loom.ly/tQSHOH8

Let’s talk about ageism—and how we can change it.

From everyday stereotypes to larger systems, ageism affects us all—but we all have the power to push back and create more inclusive communities.

✨ Join our upcoming webinar to explore, reflect, and take action.

🔗 Save your spot: https://loom.ly/TUC57AM

🎊Thank you for 1,000 Facebook Followers!

Because of you, more people are learning about programs that help older adults stay independent, support caregivers, and promote healthy aging across our region.

Thank you for helping us expand our reach and impact.

We’re so glad you’re here 🩵

Did you know? Many chronic conditions once thought to be a natural part of aging can be prevented or managed through healthy habits like regular checkups, good nutrition, and physical activity.