Celebrate Seniors!

 August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring this holiday, which honors adults over the age of 60. During his announcement, he explained the importance of recognizing this segment of the population, stating, “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.”
Over 15 percent of the United States population is over the age of 60, which means there are a lot of seniors to celebrate! In an effort to honor them and raise awareness of social, health and economic issues that impact the elderly, this holiday is observed in various ways. Consider celebrating by doing one of the following:
• Contact your local senior center and inquire about volunteer opportunities. Offerings will vary depending on the time of day and the needs of the specific center. Perhaps you can assist with meal service, visit with a senior or support staff at the front desk.
• Set aside time to visit your senior loved ones if they live close to you. Arrange to have lunch together or take them to a movie. Some seniors will love a surprise visit, while others might prefer you schedule this time together in advance. If they don’t live nearby, consider scheduling a Skype or FaceTime call to visit with them.
• Create a family history book. Visit a local craft store and gather supplies to create a scrapbook detailing your senior loved one’s life. Collect pictures from their childhood and ask them to recount their favorite memories, which you can write into the book itself. This is a great way to assist seniors in reflecting on their accomplishments and treasured memories and will result in a beautiful keepsake.
• Bring your friendly pet for a visit to a retirement community. Contact a local retirement community or nursing home to see if they would be interested in meeting your furry friend. Often, seniors will benefit from time spent with animals.
Whatever you decide to do in honor of Senior Citizens Day, we hope you celebrate in the company of our nation’s seniors.
Oakmont is a luxury senior living community in Santa Clarita located on seven acres of land on Newhall Ranch Road and offering independent and assisted living. Residents enjoy five-star amenities like a salon & day spa, movie theater, restaurant-style dining, gardens and walking paths, pet park and more. Oakmont of Santa Clarita also offers Traditions, a Memory Care community dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
To learn more about Oakmont of Santa Clarita, contact us at 661-295-2025 or visit our website www.oakmontofsantaclarita.com.