Years ago when K-Mart was in Bryan, my mom went to pay for something and the cashier asked her if she was a senior citizen to see if she was eligible for a discount. With a touch of indignation, mom said, “Well, now that you’ve insulted me, I think I deserve the discount.”
Honestly, I was embarrassed that she did that but I find that I’m now in the same position. The biggest problem I’ve found is that everyone has a different concept of who qualifies as a senior citizen.
AARP’s website says, “Since 1958, we have fought for the priorities of older Americans, no matter what. We always have, and we always will.”1 Who do they consider an “older American?” Anyone who has reached the age of 50. If you are half-a-century old (that does sound old), you are eligible.
We just switched our phone service to T-Mobile (best thing we ever did with our cell service!). We are on their 55+ plan since we are “seniors.”
62 is the earliest age to qualify for Social Security.
65 is the age when you qualify for Medicare.
“Despite debate over the age of a senior citizen, 65 is the age the Census uses to define the oldest demographic. According to the National Council on Aging, 17.3% of the U.S, population is 65 or older. The senior population grew five times faster in 2020 than the entire population grew between 1920-2020. The aging US population is caused by two key factors: the large Baby Boomer population and increasing life expectancies. Since the 2010 census, 10,000 people have turned 65 each day, a phenomenon known as the “gray tsunami.” By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be at least 65.”2
Putting that into numbers, “According to the 2017 census, 47 million seniors live in the United States. By 2060, that number will nearly double.”3 That means 94 million
seniors will be around in 2060. Think about what that’s going to do to the population of Florida! If I’m still around, I will be 93 years old!
And since everyone wants to stuff you in a category, here are some new categories to consider. If you are beginning your journey into the senior’s category…
- Young-old: 65–74 years old
- Middle-old: 75–84 years old
- Oldest-old: 85 and older
Are you young-old, middle-old, or old-old? Whatever your category, today is National Senior Citizens’ Day. It’s a day to celebrate this time of your life and to value your contributions to society. You’ve been around to see many changes occur in our world. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847 to create this day.
Many Bible verses give hope and encouragement to an aging population. Though written to Judah, a passage of Scripture can be applied to us as well. Isaiah 46:3-4 says, “Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: (4) And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will 
carry, and will deliver you.”
And though 2 Corinthians 4:16 is a declaration from Paul of God’s faithfulness through all the harsh persecution he has received, it can also be applied to aging. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” Age deteriorates the body but the inward man can grow better, sweeter, and stronger every day.
Maybe you’ve just begun the journey into the fourth quarter of life. Or it could be that you are closer to the end of the game. Joyfully embrace the journey, knowing that you have a Heavenly Father who will grant grace, mercy, joy, and peace until you’ve reached your Heavenly Home.
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalms 37:25)
1https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/?intcmp=GLOBAL-FTR-LNK-CLK-ABOUT_US-UXDIA
2https://askchapter.org/magazine/happy-retirement-tips/aging-well/at-what-age-are-you-considered-a-senior-citizen
3https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-senior-citizens-day-august-21
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
