In Mount Washington and elsewhere in the U.S., observances will be held for Senior Citizens Day on August 21st, 2023, to acknowledge the valuable contributions seniors make to our society. The achievements and contributions of older adults often go unrecognized in our culture, where attention tends to more heavily focus on youth. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the ways that we can all acknowledge and celebrate the value that seniors bring to our lives.
Encourage seniors to volunteer
Community centers and senior living centers are often seeking the help of seniors, perhaps to provide companionship for other elderly persons, to deliver meals to homebound individuals, to help with cleaning tasks, or to provide transportation to those who need it. Volunteering is a way that seniors can remain active and provide useful service to people. In addition, it’s generally a good feeling to help out others in need, so any seniors you’re close to can enjoy the experience of providing assistance to someone who genuinely needs it. Even better, you should be able to find seniors in need of services that your own elderly relative can help out. In a situation like this, all parties benefit, and all parties come away with a good feeling about the service provided.
Educate seniors about aging options
There are far more options available to seniors besides living at home with relatives and moving into an assisted living situation. Many seniors are not aware of what choices they might have when it comes to living arrangements. In your own town, there may be senior communities, nursing homes, or even independent living opportunities, depending on the mental and physical health of your relative. Having several options to choose from will relieve much of the anxiety an elderly person might have about aging and living arrangements. Find out what kinds of living situations are available in your area, and then pass this information along to your elderly loved one. They will feel much better about a future living choice if they have been given the opportunity to make that selection themselves.
Arrange a celebratory event
To do this, you may have to contact a community leader in your area to get support for setting up a senior celebratory event. It could be something as simple as a nice meal, a reading session, or a story-telling time, where a senior can be honored for their contribution to the community, or just a gathering that promotes networking. There could also be a raffle with door prizes, and funds could be donated to a local senior charity or something similar. All seniors involved will come away with a great feeling about having been honored in this way, and it could be beneficial for other seniors who are unable to attend for some reason. Just the fact that an event has been coordinated for the express purpose of honoring and supporting the elderly of your community will show seniors how much they’re valued and needed.
Share stories
All seniors probably have a wealth of stories and experiences they’ve lived through that they can share with others. Some of these experiences may be valuable to others, while some may simply have good entertainment value. If nothing else, they may be great illustrations of a different time and place that your senior has gone through. A story-sharing session can be set up at a local school, a community center, or even just a gathering at your home where others are invited to listen and enjoy. Many seniors are more than willing to talk about their life experiences if given the chance, and they may even find that they enjoy relating snippets of their past life to good listeners. Sessions like these can be both profitable and entertaining for anyone in attendance, and your elderly loved one will more than likely enjoy the experience as well.
Spend time with elderly people
One of the best ways of celebrating elderly people is simply to spend time with them. This can take the form of a walk around the neighborhood, watching their favorite TV program or listening to music they like, or even doing meal preparation with them. Just taking time out of your own busy day to enjoy the company of a senior will show them that you care and that you value spending time with them. Keep in mind that your senior loved one will not be around forever and that you need to appreciate them in the time they have left. After all, there will come a time when you will also reach that golden age, and you will certainly want your relatives and friends to remember you at that time.
