Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day

Did you know that there is an entire day dedicated to celebrating the contributions and achievements of senior citizens? Over 30 years ago, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 21, to be National Senior Citizens Day. “Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That remains true today and gives us ample reason this year to reserve a special day in honor of the senior citizens who mean so much to our land,” Reagan proclaimed.  

We are honored to celebrate National Senior Citizens Day to highlight the customers we serve, the amazing contributions they have and the stories they share with us. At ClearCaptions we celebrate seniors every day and are excited there is a day everyone else celebrates them too! Our team is always inspired by the work we do to keep seniors and the hard-of-hearing community connected and independent. 

According to the Population Reference Bureau, seniors are among the fastest growing age group in the U.S. The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise from 16 percent to 23 percent. Now that is a lot to celebrate!  

The day is all about you! How do you wish to celebrate? 

Take this day to think about YOU and your experiences. Reflect on the fond memories of the past and where you are now, in this present moment. Honor yourself with a special day – whatever that means for you.  

Head to your favorite restaurant for lunch, sit down to work on a hobby you enjoy or visit family and friends. If you are feeling active, sign up for an exercise class, take a walk or move your body and dance around to your favorite tunes. Ask about senior discounts when making plans to make the most of your budget! 

Take a moment to share your unique story 

Have you always wanted to share your life experiences and stories with others? Share some of your favorite memories and lessons you have learned throughout life with those you love or your community. It can be easy to get started:   

• Write it down: You can start a journal – either by hand or online. You can even use a service that sends you questions via email and binds them into a book at the end of the year.  
• Tell it: Speak it, sing about it or record it. There’s no harm in hearing those family favorite tales over and over, but you can also preserve your unique story with a program at your community center, a local library, or with a service like StoryCorps.     
• Visualize it: Paint or draw a memory. Expressing yourself visually can have numerous benefits, including improving cognitive function, mood and motor skills.  

No matter how you do it, sharing your story can be powerful! According to Life Care Advocates, storytelling brings people together, strengthens memories, can help reduce stress and anxiety, and counter loneliness by helping you feel more connected to those around you. If you know someone who has had trouble staying connected, consider recommending a caption phone to help them read every word. At ClearCaptions, our goal is always to celebrate the seniors we support – on this day and every day of the year!