National Senior Citizens Day: Honoring Our Elderly
Over the course of a year, certain days shimmer with a significance that escapes our collective awareness. Among these hidden gems is a date of utmost importance: August 21st, acknowledged as National Senior Citizens Day since its designation as a national holiday by President Reagan in 1988. Yet, like a treasure hidden in plain sight, very few people actually celebrate this special day. In honor of the elderly citizens in our community, Chess For Seniors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading our love for chess to the elderly population, organized a full-day event at Brandywine Living in Summit, NJ.
I'm sure many of you are aware of the immense health benefits that playing chess brings. From stimulating the brain to improving spatial perception to preventing the onset of Alzheimer's, chess is both an enjoyable and healthy game to play, especially for seniors. We started the day off with an introductory chess lesson, walking seniors through the basic rules of the game. It was truly rewarding to see their eyes light up as they examined the intricate movements of the knight, or discovered that pawns in fact, could not go backwards. After almost 2 hours of play, we stopped for lunch, smiles radiating on everyone's faces.
While playing chess certainly helps stimulate the brain, we wanted to promote a variety of ways for the elderly to stay healthy. After lunch, we went on a walk, lapping the sizable building multiple times. It's important to stay sharp both mentally and physically!
After the walk, Arjun presented on the benefits of music therapy. Music is something that brings us all together, and even listening to 5 minutes of your favorite music, regardless of the genre, can make you happier. In fact, listening to music has been proven to help those with Alzheimer's brighten their mood and in turn, remember more happy memories. Quite a few members of the living center decided to join us for this presentation, almost double the amount that attended the introductory chess lesson.
After the presentation, Arjun and David played some live music to test these theories out! We rolled in a piano and a few classical pieces were played. As the songs reached their conclusions, they were met with a chorus of appreciation and spirited applause. The genuine enjoyment and the enthusiastic applause that resonated through the room affirmed the collective sentiment of fulfillment and connection that the event had kindled.
At the end of the day, we were not only able to kindle intellectual engagement through chess, but also promoted the holistic well-being of seniors through physical activity and embracing music. The event stood as a heartwarming tribute to our elderly community members, underscoring the vitality of nurturing both the mind and the soul. This day is a testament that even small actions can yield immeasurable joy and fulfilment for both the givers and receivers. I urge you all to spend some more time with your elderly, whether it's engaging through workshops, playing chess, or simply holding a conversation, any and every gesture counts.
I'd like to thank Brandywine Living for letting us hold the event at their Summit location. Thank you to the Chess For Seniors members that took their day to support our cause: Arjun, Arav, Albert, and David.
Thank you all for taking the time to read about our memorable event and initiatives. As we celebrate this special day, may you find joy in treasuring the people that are too often neglected in our lives.
If you'd like to learn more about our work, please feel free to visit some of the following links, or leave a comment. We also have a GoFundMe - while our workshops and online classes are free and always will be free, we do spend hundreds of dollars every year running these programs. Any and every donation is greatly appreciated.
