4 Things to Do for Older Persons Day on October 1st with Active Minds

This post was originally written and posted in October 2017, however as I update this post in June 2023, I realize that the special older people in this post have since passed away.

With this in mind, I encourage you to spend time with the special older people in your lives. We never know if we are promised tomorrow.

Now, on to the post…

If you missed Grandparents Day a few Sundays ago, I want to make sure you have a second chance to honor and celebrate the special older adults in your lives by reminding you of Older Persons Day on October 1st.

With the world’s population aging, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1st as the International Day of Older Persons. This year’s theme, according to the United Nations is “about enabling and expanding the contributions of older people in their families, communities, and societies at large.

It focuses on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences”.

To honor and celebrate this day, I have given you four things you can do for Older Persons Day.

1) Spend time with your special older people by having a special meal.

Every year, my boys enjoy their Grandparents’ breakfast at their school with one of their Grandparents. This past Friday, they enjoyed breakfast with their Grandpa Jerry.

In addition to enjoying Grandparents’ breakfast, Grandpa Jerry has shown up to the boys’ football and soccer games to show them support and be involved. He was even recognized in our local paper this month as the first man to be over the PEACE program (Partners Ending Abuse and Choosing Equality) in our county.

Grandpa Jerry is a perfect example of the 2017 United Nations theme for International Older Person’s Day.

2) Create a special package for your loved one if they are miles away.

Items to include could consist of cards, letters, drawings, photos, and small trinkets such as the red, Forget Me Not key chain from Active Minds.

I teamed up with Active Minds recently to get information on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, as we are facing a family member entering this stage. Active Minds graciously gave me conversation starter cards to encourage conversation with my boys.

Since 2010 Active Minds has been researching, designing, and developing activity products to assist people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia and to enjoy activities that will improve the quality of their lives. Activities for dementia can be found on Active Minds.

In addition to the conversation starters, we received beautiful butterfly flowers to plant. And, instead of doing them alone, we plan on including our family to make it a family activity while we discuss this life-changing stage we are entering.

Children should understand this stage of life and not feel scared, confused, or guilty. Other activities for Alzheimer’s can be found on Active Minds.

According to Active Minds, there are “5.4 million Americans living with Dementia, and an estimated 36 million people worldwide”. With these figures steadily increasing, Active Minds and I think it’s an important topic to discuss, leading me to item three.

3) Discuss the stages of life that your special older person is entering.

Is it retirement? Is it Dementia? Is it a special anniversary or birthday? Be prepared and organized to face life-changing situations.

4) Make memories.

This is so important to me. Tomorrow is not promised tomorrow, so enjoy the time that you have and make the best memories that you can. Today our cousin Patty is turning 79! Amazing! Check out her and my son at the football game a few weeks back!

Well, there you have it! Four things you can do to create a memorable Older Persons Day for 2017!