3 Ways to Show Your Appreciation to Senior Citizens

In 2015 there were 47.8 million senior citizens (65 and above) living in the United States.

That is about 15 percent of the population. By 2050 that number is expected to be close to 90 million people over 65 years old – and that is just in the United States! In Naperville, 19% of the population is 65 and above. In just a few years, there will be 20,000 senior citizens in our town. We wanted to take the time to write a few words about ways we can show our appreciation for the senior citizens in our lives.

Knowing this, there will be even more need for senior services as baby boomers age, their children get older, and we all live longer than ever. Boom. Naperville Senior Center Adult Day Services is in prime position of being ready to serve an ever-growing number of seniors who cannot safely stay at home. Like I always say, “I am looking forward to becoming my own Member!”

Since World Kindness Day was just yesterday, November 13th, we want to suggest three ways you can show your appreciation to senior loved ones, friends and neighbors

• Help with cutting the grass, landscaping or shoveling snow. Is there a senior neighbor on your block that uses an old push mower? Or does their grass always seem to be high? Why not take your mower down there and cut it for them. Do the landscape beds need to be weeded or bushes trimmed? Lend a hand and do it for them. When you see snow pile up on their stoop, walkway or driveway, shovel it for them. Ask a neighbor or two to join you and get the job done even faster. It’s only an hour or two out of your day and your senior neighbor will be very grateful.
• Say ‘Thank You.’ Did a senior citizen you know serve in World War II, or the Korean or Vietnam wars? Did they teach, volunteer, raise kids or do something to make the community a better place? Why not say ‘thank you’ to them, just to make them feel like they are still appreciated. Bring a pretty bunch of flowers to brighten their day. Or make a hot meal for them. ‘Thank you’ is so easy to say and it costs very little. Try it out, you might just feel good too!
• Listen to their stories. Is there an old guy always at the barber shop when you go telling a story from days gone by? Or a woman at church that remembers the good old days? Take the time to listen to them and ask more questions. For these seniors, their stories may be the most important things to them. It helps them stay connected to the ones they love who may have already passed away. Some senior citizens may have difficulty remembering current things, but they have vivid recollection of what happened in the past. So instead of dismissing these stories as irrelevant to you, buy them a cup of coffee and a donut, and ask them to tell you a story!

We love listening to the stories our Members tell us, and I find that listening to stories makes me feel even more appreciation. We have learned so much from them! One Member was a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer. Another was a groundskeeper at Wrigley Field for over 30 years. When Members are not story-telling, they spend time socializing, verbalizing, improvising, evangelizing, visualizing, exercising, having fun, and a host of other activities to provide mental and physical stimulation.

Call to action: to learn more about how NSC can provide a respite for you and a great social environment for your loved one, contact us at 630.857.3017. You can also schedule a tour to see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home.”

One final thought: you do not have to be at someone’s wake to mention, “The world is a better place because of your parent!”

Show Senior Citizens your appreciation.  You’ll be glad you did.