Today we celebrate Respect for the Aged Day. This holiday, known in Japan as “Keiro no Hi,” was originally created to celebrate and honor the elderly in Japan. Over time the holiday gained worldwide recognition and became a national holiday in 1966. Since 2003, Respect for the Aged Day has been celebrated on the third Monday of September.
Here are five ways to celebrate Respect for the Aged Day:
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- Visit your elders! Visit your parents and grandparents and let them know how much you appreciate them.
- Connect with those you cannot visit in person. Write a letter, send a message, or call an elderly person who has made an impact on your life.
- Take an elderly member of your community to lunch, or take lunch to them. Engage in conversation about their life and their experiences.
- Consider an act of kindness. Open a door, offer your seat, volunteer to carry groceries, or take flowers to an elderly member of your community.
- Volunteer at a local hospice like Hospice of North Alabama, or at a senior center, nursing home, or assisted living facility. This can include one-on-one fellowship, offering up time to read aloud or work on a puzzle, leading a craft or activity, or sharing a talent such as singing or dancing.