May is Older Americans Month - a great time to bring attention to the issues that affect older adults, and to create communitywide opportunities to help older Americans improve their quality of life.

This year's theme is "Living Today for a Better Tomorrow," and we must work together to give older adults the tools they need to make healthy decisions. Our current Be There for Seniors campaign is a good example of regional and statewide commitment to improving the options for an enriched quality of life.

By 2030, one in every five Americans will be 65 or older. Although the risk of disease increases with advancing age, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Many illnesses and disabilities - even death - are associated with chronic diseases, and are preventable.

Nearly 40 percent of deaths in America can be attributed to poor health habits such as the lack of physical exercise, poor eating habits and smoking. Older Americans can prevent or control chronic diseases by adopting healthy habits such as exercising regularly, maintaining a nutritious diet and ceasing tobacco use.

THE BENEFITS OF regular physical exercise include weight control; healthy bones, muscles and joints; arthritis relief; and the reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms. Exercise does not have to be strenuous, and is safe for people of all age groups. In fact, exercise is one of the strongest components of a good health regimen. Older Americans can benefit greatly from a regular exercise routine that includes strength, balance and endurance.

Also, good nutrition is vital in maintaining good health. Improving older Americans' diets can reduce the occurrence of chronic diseases. However, many adults older than 65 do not maintain a healthy diet. Reducing saturated fats and eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and grains can gear Americans toward the track of staying healthy.

Tobacco use increases the risk of heart disease and cancer, and is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Older adults who stop smoking will gain immediate and long-term health benefits. Information obtained through the American Lung Association indicates that those who are tobacco-free for five to 10 years decrease the risk of strokes and various forms of cancer, including lung, throat and esophagus.

The ALA also reported the risk of heart disease among similar quitters is the same as that of people who have never smoked.

While it is important for older Americans to have good physical health, it is equally important that they maintain good mental health. Studies have shown that engaging in social activities within the community can greatly improve mental health.

In fact, research has demonstrated a strong relationship between volunteering and mental health. And volunteering provides older adults with greater benefits than younger adults. - including improved mental and physical health, greater life satisfaction and lower rates of depression and mortality.

THE CSRA AREA AGENCY ON AGING supports a number of successful programs throughout the region that are helping older adults live better today and in the future. These programs keep people independent and out of nursing homes through streamlined access to health and long-term care information and options. The programs provide home and community-based systems of service that include the support for family caregivers.

These programs also encourage older people to remain active and make behavioral changes through the increased use of evidence-based disease prevention programs under the Older Americans Act, as well as the use of preventive benefits available under Medicare.

CSRA citizens of all ages and backgrounds can celebrate Older Americans Month. Contact us to volunteer. it is not difficult to find ways to enrich the lives of older adults who touch your life. Invite them to volunteer, to participate and to use the wisdom and resources they have from their life experiences.

By working together, we can improve the health and well-being of older adults, and pave the way for better health as we age.

The writer is director of the CSRA Area Agency on Aging in Augusta. The agency can be reached at (706) 210-2018.