How to Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day
In 1988 President Ronald Reagan, declared August 21 to be National Senior Citizens Day. Seniors day was established to honor senior citizens, who made positive contributions in their communities and to bring awareness of social, health, and economic issues that affect senior citizens.
Various events and activities are organized on Senior Citizens Day to raise awareness of supporting older people and recognizing their achievements. Some people raise awareness through social media and news stories, while others organize special community gatherings inviting senior citizens, their families, friends and volunteers. Some businesses give special discounts or deals to senior citizens on or around August 21.
According to the traditional definition, a senior citizen is anyone older than 60 years of age. How do they officially define senior citizen? Namely, what age is used? After all, AARP starts with 50. Golden Corral uses 60 for their senior discount. Airlines use 65. Full retirement age right now is 66.
Well, when Reagan issued the Proclamation 5847 in 1988 at age 77, he didn’t specify a specific age group. In the proclamation, he used the term “older people.” Learn More at Time and Date
How to Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day
There are many ways on How to Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day, you will find a few suggestions along with links for even more ideas.
1. Spend time at a nursing/retirement home:
One of the kindest and most rewarding things one can do is make a visit to a nursing home. Sit and chat with residents. Play games and participate in activities. You can really make a difference in someone’s day, week, or even his or her life, and trust us, you will find the experience fun and rewarding too.
2. Reach out to a senior family member:
Do you have a senior family member? Perhaps it’s a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Visit them and spend some time together. If you can’t see them in person, give them a call and let them know how much you appreciate them. More than 14% of Americans over age 71 are affected by dementia. Research suggests that elderly care involving human contact and interpersonal conversation lowers the impact of dementia and depression.
3. Volunteer:
Meals on Wheels: Deliver lunchtime meals to home bound seniors in your area. Your Go-To Guide for Volunteering with Seniors Create the Good provides a range of ways to volunteer with seniors—from running errands to sharing a meal to making the most of a nursing home visit.
4. Become an activist to improve nursing homes, one personal benefit is when you are old and in need of a nursing home they will be even better than they are now. Learn more at Advocacy Groups and Government Agencies
A List of Websites that offer help, advice, or discounts to Seniors
Because senior discounts are constantly changing and can vary greatly depending on where you live and the time of the year, the Internet is one of your best resources for locating them.
- Senior Living offers unbiased guide to senior living & retirement.
- 13 Things Senior Citizens May Be Able to Get for Free
- 2017 List of Senior Discounts Restaurants Many of the discounts are offered by franchise owners in local markets. These discounts can vary and change without notice.
- The Salvation Army Is Dedicated to Serving Seniors and the Elderly
- SeniorDiscounts.com The largest directory of senior discounts. Over 250,000 local listings.
- Love to Know Seniors Interviews with experts; fashion and beauty; arts and crafts for seniors—you’ll find a little bit of everything here.
