Senior Citizens Day is a time for asking, learning
It all began with President Ronald Reagan in 1988 when he signed Proclamation 5847 to designate Aug. 21 as Senior Citizens Day, a time to honor and celebrate older adults in our country. He 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.”
Over 30 years later, President Raegan’s message is more important than ever as our older population continues to grow. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2034, we will have about 77 million people 65 or older. It will be the first time we have more older adults than those under 18.
We are working on making our communities a good place to live. An example is the California Master Plan for Aging, which is highly relevant since in 2030, demographers expect 1 in 4 Californians to be 65 or older. The plan is designed to assist state and local government, communities, and private and philanthropic organizations to build environments that promote an age-friendly and disability-friendly California.
In honoring older adults for their personal achievements and accomplishments, we also recognize them for their direct and indirect contributions to our nation and society. Here are just a few examples.
ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS »
Americans 50-plus contributed $8.3 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2018. They spent $7.6 trillion (or 56 cents of every dollar spent) on goods and services that also benefited their families and communities. This makes the longevity economy the third largest in the world, after those of the U.S. and China.
TAX REVENUE » In the same year, this age group contributed $1.4 trillion in federal taxes, 43% of the total. They also added $760 billion to state and local tax revenue, 37% of the total.
RAISING GRANDCHILDREN » Among the 70 million grandparents in the United States, more than 1 in 10 have a grandchild living with them, according to AARP’s 2018 Grandparents Today National Survey. This figure is an increase from 7% in 1992 and is attributed to an increase in opioid addiction and other drug abuse, teen pregnancy, incarceration of parents, and child neglect or abuse. Additionally, we know that more women who are mothers are being deployed by the military.
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY » Older adults vote. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in the 2020 elections, the group with the highest voter turnout — 76% —was those 65-74. The lowest group was those 18-24, at 52%. Older adults care about our nation and also want to protect Social Security and Medicare.
SUPPORTING ADULT CHILDREN » Particularly during the pandemic, half of parents with a child over 18 provided them with some financial support, according to a report by Savings.com. They contributed on average $1,000 a month to cellphone plans or health and auto insurance. About two-thirds living at home contributed nothing to household expenses. Clearly, parents are a safety net; for some, these unexpected costs created a risk to their own financial security.
VOLUNTEERISM » About 1 in 4 older adults who are not working volunteer. They assist at group meal sites and deliver meals to the homebound elderly. They escort and transport frail older persons to health care services, do essential shopping errands, visit the homebound elderly and volunteer at museums and at their churches or synagogues. They participate in intergenerational programming, mentoring and tutoring young people. Their roles and contributions are indispensable.
So, what can we do to honor and show appreciation? Perhaps the first is a thank you. Next, let’s listen to what our older folks have to say. Ask questions. Ask yourself, “What can I learn?” Think of older people as a small version of the Library of Congress. Finally, have some expectations. When no one expects anything from you, it is easy to feel “written off,” that you do not matter. We older adults also have a role to play: to give generously, learn from the young folks and to be kind and nonjudgmental. Sounds like a perfect world!
Stay safe and happy Senior Citizens Day!