Healthy Aging Month
September is Healthy Aging Month, a reminder for us all to plan for long-term physical and financial health because roughly 60% of Americans survive past the age of 80, thanks to healthier lifestyles, better diets, less smoking, and more exercise compared to past generations. Seniors currently account for about 18% of the total U.S. population. Baby Boomers dominate the generational demographics but that is changing as Boomers are now outnumbered by both Millennials and Generation X. The oldest members of Gen X will be turning 65 in 2030! Despite a longer and healthier outlook, age inevitably takes a toll, and more than 24 million family caregivers provide unpaid care for older adults at home. Most caregivers juggle these responsibilities with employment, spending an average of about 6 hours a day on caregiving duties alongside their jobs.
Whether planning for or experiencing your own aging or that of a family member, you can find numerous helpful resources by logging in to www.theEAP.com to explore aging-related self-help tools, including:
- Late Life Planner – Retirement planning, wills, insurance, financial matters & more
- Aging and Elder Care Resources – Healthy aging, memory loss, daily living & more
- Eldercare Locators – Find local assisted living, nursing homes, in-home services & more
- Caregiver Resources – Counseling, wellness, information resources & more
- Wellness & Physical Health – Healthy aging, diet, fitness & more
Suicide Prevention Month
Know the Number That Can Save a Life: 988 – Most people know to call 911 during a medical emergency. But how many people know that 988 is the number to call or text during a mental health or suicide crisis? September is Suicide Prevention Month, a reminder that every one of us can play a role in saving lives. Familiarize yourself with warning signs, which might include:
- Expressions of distress: Talking about wanting to die, feeling trapped, hopeless, or like a burden.
- Behavior changes: Withdrawal from friends and family, loss of interest in activities, extreme mood swings, or increased substance use.
- Planning behaviors: Researching ways to die, giving away possessions, writing a will, or saying goodbyes.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects people to trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One of the simplest things you can do is learn the number, save it in your phone, and share it with family and friends. You may never need it yourself, but someone you know might.
National Preparedness Month
Emergencies often come with little advance warning. Whether it’s severe weather, a power outage, wildfire smoke, flooding, or another unexpected event, a little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow. September is National Preparedness Month, an ideal time to review your family’s emergency plans.
- Do you know where you’ll meet if you’re separated?
- Does everyone know who to contact if cell service is disrupted?
- Do you have enough food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and other essentials to be self-sufficient for a few days
Even simple steps, like updating emergency contact information, assembling a basic emergency kit, or signing up for local weather and emergency alerts, can help keep your family safe. Download FEMA and Red Cross emergency apps and encourage family members to have these apps on their phone, too.
World Alzheimer’s Month
With the number of people living with dementia set to almost triple by 2050, it has never been more important to recognize the risk factors associated with dementia and take proactive steps towards risk reduction. This September, World Alzheimer’s Month will tackle the persistent stigma and discrimination surrounding dementia by shining a spotlight on the timely and important issue of early diagnosis under the theme: The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters. Check out the 2026 Campaign Toolkit , along with a wealth of other resources helpful to communicating about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of derailment.
National Fruits & Veggies Month
September is National Fruits & Veggies Month (NFVM) and the 2026 theme is “Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant.” The goal of the campaign is to make it easy to Have A Plant® while shopping, dining out, enjoying a meal with family, at school or on-the-go for better health and happiness. The site offers great resources which are great for year round – some of these include:
- Fruits & Veggies 101
- Fruits & Veggies Recipes
- Tips & Tricks For Plant-Forward Eating
- 25 Hacks for Back-to-School Habits
- 5 Hacks for Building Fruit & Veggie Habits
September ESI Member Webinar
Stress Better: Return to Work After an Absence: Transitioning back to work after an absence can feel overwhelming. In this session, we’ll explore a practical six-step approach to ease the transition. We’ll also explore the stress response, identifying its signs, and mastering techniques to effectively complete the stress cycle. To access this Webinar and related resources, members of ESI simply log in to www.theEAP.com during September.
More Key September Dates & Events
- Baby Safety Month
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- National Recovery Month
- National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- National Yoga Awareness Month
- 9/7 – Labor Day
- 9/11- 25th Anniversary of 9/11
- 9/11 – Day of Service
- 9/13 – Grandparents Day
- 9/15 – 10/15 – National Hispanic Heritage Month
- 9/21-25 – Falls Prevention Week
- 9/29 – World Heart Day