Highlight Senior Health Awareness

November is American Diabetes Month and National Alzheimer’s Disease Month

According to the Department of Health & Human Services' Administration on Aging, the population of people 65 years or older, represented 12.9% of the U.S. population in 2009. This percentage equals one in every eight Americans. With such a growing population and the many changing needs of senior citizens, there are many opportunities to target the following specialized businesses:

• Businesses that offer delivery services, such as pharmacies and grocery
• Social programs & services for senior citizens
• Retirement communities
• Caregivers
• Home health supply & medical alarm businesses
• Assisted & independent living facilities
• Insurance & financial services: long term care, life & health insurance, annuities
• Attorneys: living wills, medical directives, last will & testament
• End of life planning: funeral homes, mausoleums, crematories, headstones & memorials

Ad/Promotion Ideas:

• Create a special section on senior health with particular emphasis on Alzheirmer's disease and/or diabetes.
• Approach local hospitals, clinics and pharmacies about advertising any informational classes, and perhaps sponsoring all or part of the section.
• Target both in-home caregiver agencies and nursing homes that specialize in assisting people with Alzheimer's disease.
• Solicit local home health supply companies and/or pharmacies that offer special services for diabetic patients; discounted test strips, free in-store glucose testing, etc.
• Medical alarm businesses often have specialized services for Alzheimer's patients.
• Consider sponsoring a Senior Wellness & Lifestyle Show.
• Solicit the local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association and American Diabetes Association for contributions on content.

Use Advertising to Encourage Family Bonding & Awareness

The following upcoming events focus on family awareness and provide excellent advertising opportunities: National Family Week, National Adoption Month, National Game and Puzzle Week, World Orphans Day, National Parents as Teachers Day, Family Volunteer Day, National Child Day.

• Design a general parenting special section taking advantage of the many family-related events for this month. Offer articles on parenting and developing closer ties as a family through shared activities, such as volunteering, games & puzzles, and outdoor activities.
• Related advertisers to target: child-friendly restaurants, game & craft stores, park district with family activity programming, recreational stores, social services or organizations that accept family volunteers.
• Create a special month-long campaign highlighting adoption. Approach local social service agencies, foster care, and orphanages (private & public) to showcase services they offer. Include expert articles on issues related to the adoption process. Contact lawyers and attorneys to advertise their specialties related to adoption.