Celebrating 60 Years of Service: Older Americans Recognition Day 2025

On Thursday, May 22, the Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) hosted the 60th Annual Older Americans Recognition Day (OARD) Awards at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. This milestone event honored exceptional older adults from across Los Angeles County for their outstanding service, leadership, and impact in their communities.

This year’s celebration was especially meaningful. In the face of recent wildfires that displaced many across the region, numerous older adults stepped up to support their neighbors—demonstrating strength, compassion, and a readiness to act when it mattered most. Their stories of service highlight a powerful truth: aging is not a limitation—it’s a continued opportunity for contribution.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Laura Trejo, Director of the Department, reflected on the significance of the moment: “Today, we are not just celebrating individuals—we are celebrating a movement. You are proving that growing older doesn’t mean fading away; it means stepping forward with more clarity, purpose, and strength than ever before.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Paul Nash, Professor of Gerontology at USC’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, captured the essence of the celebration, noting: “You’re not over the hill. You built the hill, you paved the road, and you drew the maps for the next generation.”

All five members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors shared recorded messages honoring the awardees.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Board, echoed the event’s spirit, saying: “Your service, compassion, and dedication reflect the very best of our communities. You are proof that age is not a limitation but a strength.”

The OARD Awards are a signature event during Older Americans Month (OAM), a national observance led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL.gov) each May. This year’s theme, “Flip the Script on Aging,” invited communities to challenge outdated stereotypes and recognize aging as a time of purpose, possibility, and continued growth.

Dr. Nash urged the audience to rethink societal views on aging: “Let’s stop thinking of older adults as past their prime and start seeing them as prime movers… from slowing down to stepping up, and from aging out to leaning in.”

In alignment with this theme, the department launched the

“Flip the Script on Aging” campaign video series, highlighting older adults across L.A. County who are redefining what it means to age. Watch the video series to hear their powerful stories.

View photos from the event.