On August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day, a day to recognize and show appreciation for the value and contribution of elderly people to their families and society.
In the Proclamation, he stated, “For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older—places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.”
How can you celebrate National Senior Citizens Day with your elderly loved one? FirstLight offers some practical ways you can honor the older adults in your community on their special day.
- Establish Veneration for the Older Generation.
What is veneration? Put simply, it is an expression of respect for an elderly adult’s talent, dedication or wisdom. What better time to show veneration to an elderly parent, neighbor or loved one than on Senior Citizens Day?
2. Spend Time With a Senior Citizen.
In 2023, JAMA Network reported that 37% of older adults over 50 experienced loneliness or social isolation. The lonely elderly are more prone to physical and mental health conditions such as heart disease, amnesia and even depression. Spending time with an older adult lets them know you care and can improve their overall well-being.
3. Do Something Fun
Finding activities to do with an older adult while visiting is another great way to improve their mental and physical health. Get them out of the house! Some activities to do with elderly parents or loved ones can include going to the park, museum, the movies, out to lunch or even to the mall. Make Senior Citizens Day a special occasion—it’s their day after all! Do something that they enjoy, and they’ll remember that gesture for years to come.
4. Help With Chores and Errands.
Spend some time on National Senior Citizens Day helping them around the house with errands or chores. Physical limitations, health conditions and aging can make it difficult for your loved one to bend and lift certain items. You can assist with chores like:
- Laundry
- Washing dishes
- Picking up medications
- Grocery shopping
It may seem like a small contribution, but they will be appreciative of your offer to help them out.
5. Share Stories and Memories.
Over the years, studies have shown the benefits of age and wisdom. Sometimes the best part about spending time with the older generation is listening to their stories and memories. Today, allow them to take a trip down memory lane and listen to the stories and accounts of what life was like for them in their past. You may learn something new about them and other nuggets of wisdom.
Celebrate Older Adults Everyday
Just because August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day, it doesn’t mean you can’t help on other days. Create a routine to visit your loved one more consistently or sign up to volunteer at a senior living facility throughout the year.
Honoring an older adult in your life can also look like giving them outside support, like respite care or in-home senior care. At FirstLight Home Care, we know that taking time to care for seniors makes a difference not just in their lives but in our communities. Our expert caregivers are committed to celebrating and honoring older adults each day through our services. Contact a location near you to get started.