Resources You Can Use: Healthy Aging Month

Posted by Sarah Levin-Lederer on September 21st, 2026 Posted in: Blog
Tags: aging, Older Adults, resources

---

September is Healthy Aging Month!

According to the US Census Bureau, adults 65 and older made up 18.9% of the US population in 2025, which equals about 64.6 million people. The percentage of the population 65+ grew rapidly from 2000 to 2020 and is expected to continue to grow to reach 23.4% by 2060.

Although we’re coming to the end of September, it’s never too late (or too early!) to start thinking about aging and the habits that promote a long, healthy life.

Know and Share

It’s important to consider the unique and changing needs around exercise, nutrition, mental health and more. But the habits that get us there can start at any time. The resources below can help develop habits now for positive outcomes later.

HEALTHY AGING—Both genetics and lifestyle influence healthy aging. Managing health helps maintain quality of life and helps people live as independently as possible.

• Older Adult Health (MedlinePlus)
• Healthy Aging (MedlinePlus)
• Healthy Aging (NIA)
• Looking for Health Information for Older Adults in Multiple Languages? (NIA)

BALANCE—Physical activity is important at all ages but as people age, falls often become more common and have longer lasting health effects. Exercises that specifically focus on balance can help.

• Balance Problems (MedlinePlus)
• Falls (MedlinePlus)
• Falls and Fall Prevention (NIA)
• Balance Exercises (Mayo Clinic)
• Keeping Steady: Balance Exercises to Improve Stability (Cleveland Clinic)
• And check out Tai Chi classes at your local library, community center, or senior center

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH—Aging doesn’t have to mean a decline in mental and emotional health. But sometimes major changes can have a profound impact on mental health including things that may be more common with age.

• Older Adult Mental Health (MedlinePlus)
• Mental and Emotional Health (NIA)
• Loneliness and Social Isolation (NIA)

Resources from NNLM

The NNLM Reading Club offers libraries and other organizations books, discussion guides, and resources on a variety of health topics. Check out these books and resources on topics related to healthy aging:

• Aging
• Caregivers and Caregiving
• Memory and Dementia
• Eldercare
• End of Life
• Loneliness and Isolation
• Menopause

Learn about memory kits with Supporting Long-Term Memory & Cognitive Health of Older Adults a webinar hosted by NNLM R1 with subject matter experts from St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services.

Join NNLM instructors on December 9, 1-2:30pm ET for Connecting Older Adults to Health Information. This 90-minute webinar covers websites and data sources to help you respond to requests for health information from and about older adults, as well as covering programming ideas to address the health information needs of older adults.