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A little attention to the elderly can go a long way to improve their quality of life. Individuals can go one step further by giving back to seniors in the following ways.
Older adults offer much to local and national communities. Despite that, seniors do not always get the recognition they deserve.
According to data from America's Health Rankings, adults aged 65 and older comprise 16.8 percent of America's population in 2021. That is projected to grow to 22 percent by 2040. The Canadian government indicates that seniors accounted for 18.8 percent of the nation's population in 2022.
It's always a good time to thank special seniors in your life, whether they are family, caregivers, friends, or mentors. Individuals can go one step further by giving back to seniors in the following ways.
· Volunteer: Visit a senior center and find out how you can volunteer your services and do something fun or informational with the seniors who are there. You may be able to guide a class in a certain activity, such as crafting or yoga. Volunteers may be needed to call bingo numbers or help with meal services.
· Provide financial relief: Small business owners can offer discounts to senior clientele. Perhaps run specials on services, including anything from tax preparation to hair styling. If you don't own a business, you can provide some assistance in other ways, such as cutting the lawn or doing light gardening so that a senior does not have to spend money on a weekly service.
· Tutor technology: If you are tech savvy, you can help seniors navigate new technologies. Help seniors with social media accounts, downloading digital photos and more.
· Dine out (or in): Some seniors may be alone if a spouse has predeceased them or if they are divorced. Loneliness may grow into depression. One way to help a senior feel appreciated is by sharing meals together. Designate a day or two each week to gather at the dinner table.
· Serve as a chauffeur. Offer to drive a senior to the store or appointments. While communities may have taxi services or even accessible senior rides, sometimes it can be more efficient for seniors to rely on others for rides. Take a senior along when shopping at the supermarket.
· Invite seniors to events. If you have a special event coming up, such as a child's big birthday, graduation or religious occasion, invite an elderly neighbor. It can brighten his or her day and even provide a change of routine and scenery.
There's no shortage of ways to give back to the special seniors in your life and in your community.