Celebrating our seniors
You won't find it listed on the calendar but Monday is a special day. Not as special as the following Monday, perhaps, which is Thanksgiving Day, but Oct. 1 has a special designation of its own. It's National Seniors Day.
The day was introduced last year to coincide with the United Nations' International Day of Older Persons, which has been observed each Oct. 1 since 1991.
As the name suggests, the purpose of National Seniors Day is to celebrate our seniors - and there's much to celebrate. Our seniors are a wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom, and they make a significant contribution to our society. Many senior citizens are still a part of the workforce and their contribution in that area is crucial in view of the labour shortage experienced in many sectors.
Other seniors make an important impact on our communities by volunteering. Figures from Statistics Canada's 2004 report, "Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating," indicated an estimated 34 per cent of Alberta seniors were involved in some sort of volunteer work, and those seniors contributed an average of 254 hours per year compared to 166 hours for other Albertans. Part of the reason, of course, is that most are retired and have the time to volunteer. But it also indicates they have the desire to remain active in their communities, and that's to the benefit of countless organizations and programs which could not operate without volunteer support.
Many seniors serve as caregivers to other seniors. According to national statistics, about eight per cent of those caregivers are 75 or older. There would be a noticeable void were it not for their caregiving efforts, and as the seniors population expands in the coming years, those efforts will become increasingly important.
Some cultures traditionally revere their elders. We would do well to show similar respect to our seniors. There is an anonymous saying which notes, "Do not forget the hands of the aged; they have touched much of life and have become sensitive and sympathetic."
Our senior citizens are able to enrich our lives in many ways. We should appreciate their contributions more than one day a year, but Monday would be a good day to remind ourselves how important they are.
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