National Senior Citizens Day

National Senior Citizens Day is August 21, 2024, a day for families, friends, and the community to come together to celebrate and acknowledge the invaluable impact that seniors have made in our lives and society. The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.

Generally, the age of 65 is commonly used as the benchmark for senior citizen benefits and privileges.

Take sometime today to show your gratitude for the seniors in your life. Spend time with a senior citizen. This could be a parent, grandparent, neighbor or friend. Do something fun. Help with chores and errands. Share stories and memories. Make plans to volunteer. Donate to a nursing/retirement home.

President Ronald Reagan took the initiative to honor seniors in 1988 when he signed Proclamation 5847 and marked August 21 as the day seniors will be celebrated. "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. "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."

His words have withstood the test of time and are now, over 30 years later, more important than ever as older people are leading more productive lives. Reagan himself set an example for everyone -- he was 69 years old when one of the world's most powerful titles of president of the U.S. was given to him on January 20, 1981. Reagan lived till the ripe old age of 93, and not only was he the oldest person to be elected president, he was also the oldest when his term ended at 77 years and 349 days.