Every now and then, and advertisement is so simple in its design that you can’t help but take notice. Amid the noise of a 24-7 media culture, a simple concept with a powerful message can leave an unexpected, lasting impression on the viewer. Though some Madison Avenue execs have perfected this art to promote consumer products (i.e. any iPhone ad you’ve ever seen. ever.), others have used this method to call attention to important social issues.
This week, Advertising Age featured a PSA by Age U.K., a British advocacy group for older people, as its “Ad of the Day.”
“The ad, titled “Love Later Life,” features a poem by English beat poet Roger McGough that was commissioned for the spot and is expertly read by 91-year-old Sir Christopher Lee. It’s the one inescapable element of the human condition that connects us all: nothing can stop us from growing older. But the ad’s simple visuals of people aging from childhood to age 102 let the message truly shine that age, in some ways, really is a state of mind.”
Testimonials on the Age U.K. website add depth to ad’s message by featuring audio and video of older individuals depicting the challenges of aging, which include issues such as financial challenges, health care and emotional support.
The Catalogue for Philanthropy has 10 charities that are passionately focused on the issue of aging, and each has ways that you can help whether by giving a donation or your time.
What can you do with $100?
- Purchase cleaning supplies for 25 Elder Buddies (volunteer de-cluttering program to prevent evictions, displacements, and homelessness among low-income elder tenants) through AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly
- Support 1 day of classes and care at the Alzheimer’s Family Day Center
- Support 1 month of weekly multi-disciplinary arts programs for 2 frail seniors at Arts for the Aging
- 3 art therapy sessions for 15 seniors at The Downtown Cluster’s Geriatric Day Care Center
- An exercise class scholarship at Iona Senior Services
- Round trip transportation to 4 medical appointments at The Senior Connection of Montgomery County
- Support a Friendly Visitor (a member of the community with the goal of relieving loneliness for those who don’t have family or friends in the area) for one homebound senior through Senior Services of Alexandria
- Food services for 8 seniors for 1 month through We Are Family Senior Outreach Network
Looking to volunteer?
Capitol Hill Village: Capitol Hill Village is just that: a virtual village in livable, walkable surroundings where volunteers unite to help older adults age safely and comfortably ? in their own homes and in their beloved neighborhood. Capitol Hill Village is a “volunteer first” organization, meaning that they use volunteers when we can to fill request from our members. Services request can range from gardening to rides to physicians appointments to friendly visiting and walks. CHV also relies greatly on volunteers to provide administrative duties, such as writing articles for our newsletter and working in the office.
Seabury Resources for the Aging seeks friendly visitors for isolated older adults; home repair and maintenance projects so that seniors can age in place more safely, meal delivery, office support, committees and councils to support our work in the community, work on public education efforts, website/IT support or building spruce up projects.