Happy 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.

President Ronald Reagan began Proclamation 5847 with these words 30 years ago, and ever since then, we’ve celebrated Seniors Citizens Day annually on August 21.

Senior Citizens Day is a day to recognize, honor, and celebrate seniors for all they’ve achieved throughout their life and all they continue to accomplish.

Today’s seniors are even more productive, active, healthy, and financially well off than they were 30 years ago. Many seniors are still working part or full time in various industries across the economy. Seniors travel regularly, many still drive at least locally, and many more live independently in their family home or a senior living community.

We even currently have the oldest president to ever enter office. That’s right: President Donald Trump was 70 years old when he took the oath of office in January 2017. He was a year older than Ronald Reagan was when he first took office at age 69.

Every single senior has accomplished so much during his or her lifetime. Whether you’ve raised a family, built a flourishing business, overcame physical or mental illness, struggled with poverty, or battled any other challenge, the fact that you’ve made it to seniorhood in one piece is something to be celebrated.

How to Celebrate Senior Citizens Day

For non-seniors, here’s how you can celebrate this special day with your mature loved ones:

• Spend time with your aging parents, grandparents, or other loved ones.
• Visit with seniors who are alone, whether they’re at home or at a facility.
• Show your appreciation for seniors by sending a card, flowers, or gift.
• Take your loved one shopping at stores that offer senior discounts. Here’s a list of Chicago restaurant and retail stores that offer discounts to seniors: Senior Citizen Discount List
• Volunteer at a retirement community like Bridgeway Senior Living.
• Use #SeniorCitizensDay when posting on social media.
• Promote this important day with your friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

Seniors, here’s how you can celebrate your day:

• Do what YOU want to do. You’ve earned the right to make your own choices.

Happy Senior Citizens Day!