National Senior Citizens Day – When America’s Most Experienced Individuals Get The Recognition They Deserve

Like wine, cheese and a pair of jeans, everyone knows that men and women really do get better with age. But did you know America has an official day to celebrate that fact?

That’s right. Next Tuesday, August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day, a day President Ronald Reagan – a noted senior citizen himself – declared for all to observe in 1988. Today, countless senior citizens are still very active in their communities and the workforce. They contribute greatly to our society and shower their families with advice, generosity and love. For what they have achieved and continue to achieve, they deserve our thanks.

If you have an elderly person or persons in your life that you love, this is the day to let them know how much you care about them and understand the various issues that affect them. Reach out to a senior family member. Spend some time with a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle. If you can’t see them in person, give them a call and let them know how much you appreciate them.

If you have a chance, visit a nursing or retirement home. Chat, play games and participate in activities with residents. You can really make a difference in someone’s day. And guess what. You’ll find the experience fun and rewarding too.

If you are a senior citizen yourself, well, Senior Citizens Day is all about you. Live a little! Spend time with your favorite people. Treat yourself to an ice cream sundae. Knock something off your bucket list. Or just relax with friends and family. Do whatever floats your boat, because the day is dedicated to you! You’ve earned it!

Senior Citizens Day at Sunshine

If you’re a senior citizen who happens to live at a Sunshine Retirement Community, you just might be in luck. Because many of our communities are preparing extra special celebrations for residents on Senior Citizens Day.

They range from a Luau Lunch with a hula dancer at The Gardens at Brook Ridge in Pharr, Texas to full-blown, all-day hullabaloos like the one at Heritage Point in Mishawaka, Indiana. According to Heritage Point Life Enrichment Director (LED) Lillian Spice, they’ll be having:

• Toasts of recognition for every resident and their contribution to our community.
• Inspirational quotes designed to bolster self-esteem.
• 5-minute interviews to open dialog and foster relationships among residents.
• Hand massages using essential oils, lotion and classical relaxation music to relieve stress.
• Hat decorating with feathers, ribbons and beads.
• And a community group picture – hats and all – for social media.

At Dunwoody Pines in Dunwoody Georgia, managers will pass out hand-signed cards to each resident. After lunch they’ll have Balloon Volleyball and Bean Bag Baseball tournaments with the family members, friends and staff.

To help with summer hydration, Windsor Heights LED Merry Petroski has arranged for iced-tea making in the outdoor courtyard. Residents will be able to mix and sample several different tea flavors, including lemon, orange, ginger and mint. Then they’ll get out the songbooks for an afternoon Sing-along. Meanwhile, at Summerfield Estates in Tigard, Oregon, residents will enjoy spa treatments, including massages, nails, aromatherapy and make-overs.

Things get a little more athletic at Deer Park in Novato, California where LED Steven Cartacki will oversee the Senior Olympic Games, a spirited competition featuring Balloon Volleyball, Bean Bag Baseball, Ping Pong, Wii Bowling, Trivia Card Games and of course, the Olympic anthem during the opening ceremony.

Active is as active does

Goldie Hawn, one of America’s most effervescent and age-defying seniors, put senior citizenship into perspective when she said:

“What helps with aging is serious cognition – thinking and understanding. You have to truly grasp that everybody ages…There is no turning back the clock. So the question in life becomes: What are you going to do while you’re here?

Whether it’s National Senior Citizens Day or not, you can be sure Sunshine residents will be doing quite a lot while they’re here.

This blog was first published here: Sunshine Retirement Living, August, 2018. Some information provided by nationaltoday.com.

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