Each year on August 21, there are various events and activities held across the United States in recognition of National Senior Citizens Day.
This day was created as a day to support, honor and show appreciation to our seniors and to recognize their achievements. Their valuable contributions to our communities create better places to live.
Their valuable contributions to our communities create better places to live. Take time today to spend with seniors you know, and listen to their stories of wisdom and experience, gain from their hard-earned knowledge.
On August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847 declaring August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day.
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. ~ President Ronald Reagan – August 19, 1988 Proclamation 5847
Senior Citizen Factoids (facts compiled in 2015):
- There are 8,000 baby boomers in the United States turning 65 every day.
- In 2013, adults over 65 constituted 14 percent of the population in the United States and will account for an estimated 20 percent by 2050.
- There are already 55,000 Americans over age 100, and by 2050 the number of centenarians will reach 600,000—roughly the population of the entire state of Vermont!
- The baby boom generation is more racially and ethnically diverse than any previous generation. By 2050, 20 percent of seniors will be Hispanic, 12 percent black, and 9 percent Asian.
- Women are a majority of seniors, accounting for 57 percent of the U.S. population today and a projected 55 percent of Americans over age 65 by 2050.
- Currently people over 65 years number 483 million in the world and by 2030 the number will reach 974 million. By the year 2025 approximately 18 percent of the world population will be seniors.
- There are 72 men for every 100 women in the age group ‘above 65 years’ and there are 45 men per 100 women in the age group ‘above 85 years.’
- Senior citizens are the fastest-growing demographic on Facebook. Research studies done by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 53 percent of Americans who are the ages of 65 or older are online and 34 percent of those numbers are on Facebook and similar social sites.
- In America, seniors use more internet than anyone else. Seniors in America are the fastest growing group of consumers buying new computers and logging time online. In fact, older adults aged 55 years old and older, log the most usage online with 33 hours a month spent on sites like Facebook and 7.6 million senior internet surfers.
- Seniors make more life transitions than any other age range. Adults in their 50s and 60s experience more significant transitions in life and any other phase of life. This can be an exciting time of experiencing new hobbies, making lifelong friends and defining what life means to them. This also includes becoming more involved in a community of similar aged adults and having fun with exercising, unique activities and hobbies.
- According to data compiled by the Social Security Administration, a man reaching age 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 84.3. A woman turning age 65 today can expect to live 86.6.
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