Take a look at your grandparents or your great-grandparents. They’ve been facing challenges for decades. They lived through their own teen years, conquered young adulthood, addressed parenthood and came out on top.

National Senior Citizens Day on August 21 is designed to increase awareness about the factors and issues that affect the elderly. This day also provides an opportunity to express our gratitude to us for their dedication, achievement and service throughout their lives.

“Senior citizens” could refer to someone as young as 50 or 55, but most of the time the term applies to people who are at least 65. Retirement, eligibility for Medicare and other benefits mark people who qualify for the title.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan announced this National Day to raise awareness of the issues affecting the elderly and their quality of life. “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” (National Today).

This day aims to recognize senior citizens who have contributed to society and have a positive impact on everyone’s lives. Now with greater opportunities seniors now start their second careers and set good examples for the younger generations. This country’s basic and stable sectors are the result of the hard work of our seniors and deserve all our thanks.

President Reagan himself set an example for everyone: on January 20, 1981, when he was named one of the most powerful American presidents in the world at the age of 69. According to NationalToday.com, he once proclaimed “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,”

The US Census Bureau states that, by 2035, approximately 78 million people age 65 and older will be living in the United States. This number will exceed the number of people under the age of 18 for the first time in American history (urcommunitycares.org).

So how can we observe this day?

There are various ways to help celebrate and spread awareness for our citizens. This day is viewed to honor our elders, so it can be as simple as spending time with elderly loved ones, volunteering for projects that benefit the elderly, or if you’re feeling creative you can even start a family history project to celebrate. As simply as letting your family elders know that you love them and care for them every once in a while is a good way of acknowledging them for National Senior Citizen’s Day.