essay about senior citizens

Honoring Elders: Why We Give Respect to Senior Citizens

In our fast-paced society, the elderly population is often overlooked. However, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of respecting senior citizens . They hold a wealth of knowledge and experience that can greatly contribute to our society. Respecting our elders goes beyond good manners; it is a moral obligation that sets a positive example for younger generations.

Key Takeaways:

• Respecting senior citizens is a moral obligation and sets a positive example for younger generations.
• Senior citizens have valuable knowledge and experience that can greatly contribute to society.
• Respecting our elders fosters empathy, compassion, and kindness.
• It is important to recognize the contributions of senior citizens and honor their experiences.
• By respecting our elders, we create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

The Role of Elders in Society

Elders have a significant role to play in society, serving as the guardians of wisdom and traditions. Their life experiences make them the custodians of our society’s essence, with a deep understanding of historical events and cultural values.

In many cultures, elders are highly respected and esteemed for their wisdom. They are consulted for advice and guidance, as their insights are invaluable in shaping the path forward. By respecting and honoring the wisdom of senior citizens , we foster a sense of community and social cohesion.

Programs like “Old Friends” in Norway highlight the positive outcomes that come from engaging with elders. Such programs focus on reducing loneliness and improving the overall well-being of seniors. Additionally, involving elders in decision-making processes in nursing homes and other institutions has shown promising results in terms of enhancing their overall health and quality of life.

“Old Friends” is a unique initiative in Norway that pairs senior citizens with volunteers who spend quality time with them. The program aims to combat loneliness and social isolation among the elderly, fostering meaningful connections and improving their overall well-being.

The role of elders in society extends beyond individual benefits; it has a profound impact on the community as a whole. By respecting and valuing the wisdom of older generations, we preserve and pass on our cultural heritage, bridging the gap between generations and fostering a stronger sense of identity.

Respecting elders is not just a matter of good manners; it is a way of honoring the contributions they have made throughout their lives. Their knowledge and experiences offer unique perspectives and insights that enrich our society. By valuing their wisdom, we create a society that not only cherishes its past but is also better equipped to navigate the challenges of the present and future.

Programs and Initiatives:

There are numerous programs and initiatives dedicated to honoring and supporting the role of elders in society . A prime example is the aforementioned “Old Friends” program in Norway. Additionally, various organizations around the world work tirelessly to provide resources and services for the elderly, such as:

• Eldercare Locator (US)
• Council on the Ageing (Australia)

These organizations offer advice, social engagement opportunities, information on elder abuse prevention, and resources for promoting intergenerational relationships.

The Wisdom of Senior Citizens

The wisdom gained through a lifetime of experiences is a precious resource that senior citizens possess. By respecting and learning from their wisdom, we tap into a wealth of knowledge and unique perspectives. Younger generations can greatly benefit from the guidance and insights offered by their elders.

Emphasizing the role of elders in society and promoting intergenerational relationships is crucial for building a brighter future. It is through these connections that we foster empathy, understanding, and a deep appreciation for the contributions of older generations.

The Importance of Respecting Elders

Respecting our elders goes beyond mere good manners; it is a moral obligation and a way to honor their contributions to society. Elderly individuals hold a wealth of knowledge and experience, and by treating them with dignity and respect, we acknowledge their significance and the impact they have had on our lives.

Research has shown that when older adults feel respected, they experience better mental and physical health outcomes. They are more likely to have positive emotions, a higher sense of purpose, and increased engagement with their communities. Respecting elders not only benefits them individually, but it also sends a powerful message to younger generations about the value of empathy and compassion.

In Japan, where respect for elders is deeply ingrained in the culture, the concept of ‘seniority’ is highly valued. This respect has contributed to Japan’s long life expectancy by fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer and community growth. Younger generations learn from the wisdom of their elders, and the entire society benefits from this exchange of knowledge and experiences.

Teaching Empathy and Compassion

“Respecting our elders teaches younger generations the value of empathy and compassion. It reminds us that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, regardless of age.”

By observing and engaging with respectful behavior towards older adults, young people learn the importance of caring for and supporting the elderly. This understanding fosters a culture of empathy and compassion, creating a more inclusive society where individuals of all ages are valued and respected.

The Benefits of Respect

“Respecting elders not only benefits them individually but also has a positive impact on society as a whole.”

Showing respect to our elders not only enhances their quality of life but also reduces healthcare costs associated with mental and physical health conditions. Additionally, by fostering cross-generational relationships and challenging ageism, society becomes more inclusive and supportive of all its members.

The Benefits of Respecting Elders

Respecting elders brings about a range of benefits that positively impact individuals and society as a whole. By demonstrating respect for senior citizens, we create a more inclusive and compassionate society. Let’s explore some of the significant benefits below:

Improved Mental and Physical Health

Respecting elders contributes to better mental and physical health outcomes for both older adults and younger generations. When elders feel respected, they experience a greater sense of self-worth and well-being. This, in turn, leads to reduced stress levels, improved cognitive function, and enhanced overall health.

Reduced Loneliness and Social Isolation

Respecting elders plays a crucial role in reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation among older adults. By engaging with seniors and showing them empathy and support, we foster meaningful connections and combat the negative effects of isolation. This not only improves their quality of life but also strengthens our social fabric.

Decreased Healthcare Costs

Respecting senior citizens can have a positive impact on healthcare costs. When elders are treated with respect and their physical and mental well-being is prioritized, they are more likely to engage in preventive health measures and maintain their health. This can lead to fewer hospitalizations, reduced healthcare expenses, and an overall improvement in the healthcare system.

Knowledge and Insights from Elders

Interacting with and learning from elders provides younger generations with valuable knowledge and insights. Senior citizens have a wealth of life experiences, wisdom, and practical skills that can help guide the younger generation. By respecting and listening to the wisdom of elders, we foster intergenerational learning and create a society rich in collective knowledge.

Reduction of Stereotypes and Ageism

Cross-generational relationships built on respect contribute to a reduction in stereotypes and ageism. When younger people engage meaningfully with seniors, they get to see the individuality and unique qualities of older adults, breaking down preconceived notions and stereotypes. This fosters a more inclusive society that values the contributions of people of all ages.

Improved Mental Health of Younger Individuals

Maintaining positive relationships with elders has a profound impact on the mental health of younger individuals. Interacting with older adults who are respected and valued helps combat feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness among the younger generation. By embracing and honoring older generations, we create a supportive and mentally healthy environment for all.

Respecting elders brings about a multitude of benefits that extend beyond the individual to society as a whole. It enhances mental and physical well-being, reduces social isolation and healthcare costs, fosters knowledge transfer, eliminates stereotypes, and improves the mental health of younger individuals. Let us embrace these benefits by showing the respect our elders deserve.

Ways to Show Respect to Elders

Respecting our elders is crucial in maintaining a harmonious and compassionate society. Here are some meaningful ways to demonstrate our respect and appreciation:

• Listen to their stories: Engage in meaningful conversations with our elders and actively listen to their experiences. Their stories serve as a valuable link to the past and offer valuable life lessons.
• Offer assistance: Extend a helping hand by assisting them with day-to-day activities or tasks they might find challenging. Simple acts of kindness, like carrying groceries or offering to help with technology, can make a significant difference in their lives.
• Spend quality time: Dedicate quality time to be with our elders. Plan activities or outings that they enjoy, such as taking them for a walk in the park, playing a board game, or watching a movie together. This not only strengthens our bond but also shows how much we value their company.
• Show respect through language and behavior: Use polite and respectful language while speaking to our elders. Address them with proper honorifics and avoid interrupting or speaking over them. It’s also important to be patient and understanding, allowing them to express themselves at their own pace.

Educating ourselves and younger generations about the significance of respecting elders is equally important. By promoting intergenerational relationships and highlighting the contributions of older adults to society, we cultivate a culture of respect and appreciation.

“Respecting our elders is not just about good manners; it’s a way of acknowledging their wisdom and life experiences.”

A Personal Anecdote from an Elder:

“When my granddaughter sits down to listen to my stories, I see a sparkle in her eyes, and it makes me feel valued and loved. It’s a small gesture, but it means the world to me.”

Showing respect to our elders is not only a moral obligation but also a way to create a society that values the contributions and wisdom of older adults. Let us cherish and honor our elders, for they have enriched our lives in countless ways.

A Win-Win Situation for Younger and Older Generations

Respecting elders benefits not only the elderly but also younger generations. Interacting with and learning from elders provides valuable insights and knowledge. It reduces stereotypes and ageism among younger people and improves their mental health. Positive relationships with grandparents have been linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety among college students.

When younger generations engage with older adults, they gain a wealth of wisdom and experience. These intergenerational relationships foster a sense of respect and appreciation for elders, creating a more compassionate society. Through their interactions, younger individuals learn important life lessons, such as resilience, patience, and gratitude.

“The knowledge and guidance passed down from older generations are invaluable resources for the younger ones. Interacting with elders helps shape their character, values, and outlook on life.” – Dr. Emily Evans, Psychologist

Furthermore, intergenerational relationships challenge the stereotypes and ageism that can limit opportunities for older adults. By fostering positive interactions and understanding between generations, we break down barriers and promote inclusivity.

Benefits of Intergenerational Relationships:

• Knowledge Transfer: Younger generations have the opportunity to learn from the lived experiences and accumulated wisdom of older adults.
• Emotional Connection: Developing strong relationships with elders provides emotional support and a sense of belonging.
• Mental Health: Interacting with older adults reduces feelings of loneliness, stress, and anxiety among younger individuals.
• Improved Communication: Interacting with elders helps younger individuals develop effective communication and listening skills.

Impact on Younger Generations:

Research has shown that positive relationships with grandparents and older relatives have a profound impact on the well-being of younger individuals. These relationships provide a sense of stability, unconditional love, and a source of guidance.

By fostering intergenerational relationships and respecting elders, younger generations reap numerous benefits, contributing to their overall well-being and personal growth.

Resources for Further Information and Support on Respecting Elders

If you are looking for more information and support on respecting elders, there are several organizations that provide invaluable resources and services. These organizations are dedicated to promoting elder care and ensuring that our senior citizens receive the respect and support they deserve. Here are a few notable ones:

1. HelpAge India

Website: https://www.helpageindia.org/

HelpAge India is a nonprofit organization that works towards improving the lives of older adults in India. They offer a wide range of services, including healthcare, advocacy, and community engagement programs. HelpAge India’s efforts focus on empowering senior citizens and creating an age-inclusive society.

2. Eldercare Locator (US)

Website: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx

The Eldercare Locator is a service provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging. It connects older adults and their caregivers with local resources and support. The Eldercare Locator website provides information on various topics, including healthcare, housing, and legal assistance, making it a valuable resource for those seeking elder care support in the United States.

Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Age UK is a leading charity that aims to improve the lives of older adults in the United Kingdom. They provide a wide range of services, including information and advice, social activities, and support for independent living. Age UK also campaigns for positive changes in policies and practices that affect the elderly.

4. Council on the Ageing (Australia)

Website: https://www.cota.org.au/

The Council on the Ageing (COTA) is Australia’s leading senior’s organization. They advocate for the rights and well-being of older Australians, striving to create an inclusive society where everyone can age with dignity and respect. COTA offers a range of services, including information resources, training programs, and policy development.

These organizations provide valuable information, support, and resources for individuals, families, and communities to better understand and respect our elders. Through their efforts, we can work together to create a society that values and cherishes the wisdom and contributions of our senior citizens.

Comparison of Organizations for Elder Care

Why we should respect our elders.

Respecting our elders is not only a moral obligation, but it also holds great cultural significance. The reasons to respect senior citizens are numerous and compelling. Firstly, our elders are our parents and caregivers who have tirelessly nurtured and supported us throughout our lives. They have played a pivotal role in shaping our values and beliefs, and their wisdom and guidance continue to impact our journey.

As our elders age, it becomes essential to acknowledge their contributions to society and provide them with the respect they deserve. They have dedicated their lives to various endeavors, whether it be their careers, raising children, or advocating for social causes. Honoring their experiences and recognizing their accomplishments helps build a stronger bond between generations and fosters a more compassionate community.

Moreover, respecting our elders ensures that they feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment as they navigate the golden years of their lives. Aging can bring challenges, but by treating our elders with reverence and dignity, we can provide them with comfort and ease, enabling them to age gracefully.

“Respect for the elderly is a cornerstone of our culture. It teaches us empathy, compassion, and the importance of intergenerational connections.”

The cultural significance of respecting elders extends far beyond individual families. It is deeply ingrained in societies worldwide, emphasizing the value of wisdom and experience that older generations possess. By upholding this cultural tradition, we contribute to the preservation of our heritage, ensuring that the knowledge passed down through generations remains cherished and celebrated.

Through mutual respect and appreciation, we create a society that values the wisdom and experiences of our elders. This recognition not only empowers them to live fulfilling lives but also inspires younger generations to embrace the lessons and insights offered by their elders. Together, we can foster a harmonious and inclusive society that benefits everyone.

7 Ways to Support and Care for Our Elders

Supporting and caring for our elders is crucial to ensure they age with dignity and receive the respect they deserve. Here are seven practical ways to provide assistance and show our appreciation:

• Spend quality time with elders: Dedicate regular time to be present with them, engage in meaningful conversations, and create lasting memories.
• Value their advice: Seek their wisdom and guidance, acknowledging their life experiences and tapping into their wealth of knowledge.
• Show respect: Treat elders with kindness, patience, and consideration. Practice active listening and validate their feelings and opinions.
• Eat together: Share meals and enjoy the pleasures of food as a way to bond and promote a sense of togetherness.
• Help them navigate the digital era: Assist elders in learning and utilizing technology to stay connected with loved ones, access information, and engage in new experiences.
• Encourage bonding with grandchildren: Facilitate intergenerational relationships by promoting shared activities between grandparents and grandchildren, fostering mutual learning and companionship.
• Consider caregiving services when needed: If elders require extra support with daily tasks or medical care, research and explore reputable caregiving services that can provide personalized care and companionship.

By implementing these strategies, we can ensure that our elders feel valued, cherished, and supported as they age. Let’s embrace the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in their lives and create a society that truly cares for its older adults.

Remember Not to Patronize Your Elders

While offering assistance is important, it is also crucial not to patronize elders. We must respect their autonomy and listen to their needs. Small gestures of help, like offering a seat on public transport, should be done with their consent. Treating them with respect and appreciation is key to maintaining a strong relationship.

Respecting the autonomy of our elders is essential to preserving their dignity and sense of independence. It is important to acknowledge that they have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and they deserve to be treated as equals. By avoiding patronizing behaviors, we create an environment that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Respecting Autonomy: A Key Aspect

Respecting the autonomy of our elders means recognizing their right to make decisions about their own lives. It involves actively involving them in conversations and decision-making processes that directly affect them. This can be as simple as asking for their input or seeking their opinion on matters that concern them.

“Respect for the dignity of others means recognizing and accepting the autonomy and independence of the elderly.”

When offering assistance, it is essential to do so in a way that maintains their independence and respects their wishes. For example, before helping with a task, it is important to ask if they would like assistance or if they prefer to do it themselves. This approach empowers our elders, allowing them to retain control over their lives and decisions.

The Power of Mutual Respect

By treating our elders with respect and appreciation, we establish a foundation of trust and understanding. When we value their contributions and honor their autonomy, we create an environment that encourages open communication and meaningful connections.

In recognizing the wisdom and experiences of our elders, we gain valuable insights and perspectives. This intergenerational exchange of ideas and knowledge enriches both parties and strengthens the bonds between generations.

Embracing a Culture of Respect

Respecting our elders is not just about individual interactions; it is about cultivating a culture of respect within society. By promoting awareness and education about the importance of respecting the autonomy of our elders, we can foster a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Together, let us actively work towards a future where our elders are valued, heard, and respected for their contributions. Through our actions and words, we can ensure that their voices are heard and their autonomy is upheld, creating a society that honors and cherishes its elders.

The Importance of Recognizing Our Elders

Recognizing the accomplishments of older generations is essential. By celebrating their successes and acknowledging their sacrifices, we create a society that values the wisdom and experiences of our elders. This recognition empowers us and instills hope for the future.

“The wisdom of our elders is a priceless resource. By recognizing their contributions, we honor their legacy and ensure their knowledge is passed on to future generations.”

Through recognizing the valuable contributions of our elderly population, we foster a sense of gratitude and respect for their lifetime of experiences and achievements. This recognition is not only a token of appreciation, but it also serves as a reminder to younger generations of the invaluable knowledge and wisdom our elders possess. It encourages intergenerational learning and the preservation of cultural traditions.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

One example of the importance of recognizing our elders is seen in the preservation of cultural heritage. Older generations often hold deep-rooted cultural knowledge and practices that are at risk of being lost over time. By celebrating their contributions and engaging them in cultural events and activities, we ensure that these traditions are passed down to future generations. This recognition of their expertise in cultural matters not only instills pride within the elder community but also enriches society as a whole.

Empowering the Older Generation

Recognizing the contributions of our elders empowers them by highlighting their lifelong achievements and expertise. It sends a message of value and worth, ensuring that they feel respected and acknowledged. This recognition can have a significant impact on the mental and emotional well-being of older adults, fostering a sense of purpose and pride in their accomplishments.

Embracing Intergenerational Connections

By recognizing the wealth of knowledge and experiences our elders possess, we create opportunities for intergenerational connections. Through these connections, younger generations can learn from the wisdom and life lessons of their elders, while older adults gain a renewed sense of purpose through sharing their knowledge. This exchange of wisdom and experiences builds stronger relationships and creates a sense of unity and belonging within communities.

Recognizing the contributions of our elders is not only a matter of respect but also an investment in our collective future. By valuing their wisdom and experiences, we create a society that cherishes the contributions of all generations, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for the diverse perspectives they bring.

Showcasing respect and honor towards our elders is not only a moral duty but an essential aspect of our lives that brings numerous benefits. By valuing and respecting our senior citizens, we foster intergenerational relationships that bridge gaps and enhance understanding between different age groups. This, in turn, promotes a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Additionally, honoring our elders helps in breaking down stereotypes and reducing ageism, creating a community that celebrates the wisdom and contributions of older generations. It also has a positive impact on mental health, both for the elderly and younger individuals, by fostering a sense of purpose, connection, and belonging.

As we prioritize the well-being and dignity of our elders, we pave the way for a brighter future for everyone. Let us collectively make a concentrated effort to show our elderly population the respect they truly deserve. By doing so, we ensure a society that is caring, compassionate, and dedicated to supporting and uplifting one another.

Why is it important to respect senior citizens?

Respecting senior citizens is important because they hold a wealth of knowledge and experience, and they play a vital role in society. It sets a good example for younger generations and teaches empathy, compassion, and kindness.

How do elders contribute to society?

Elders contribute to society by being the keepers of wisdom and traditions. They have lived through historical events and are the custodians of our society’s essence. In many cultures, they are highly respected and consulted for advice and guidance.

What are the benefits of respecting senior citizens?

Research shows that respecting senior citizens improves their mental and physical health, reduces loneliness and social isolation, and gives them a higher sense of purpose and engagement. It also teaches younger generations the value of empathy and compassion.

How can we show respect to our elders?

We can show respect to our elders by listening to their stories, offering assistance, spending quality time with them, and showing respect through language and behavior. Education plays a role in fostering respect by teaching about intergenerational relationships and the contributions of older adults.

How do intergenerational relationships benefit younger generations?

Interacting with and learning from elders provides valuable insights and knowledge to younger generations. It reduces stereotypes and ageism among younger people and improves their mental health. Positive relationships with grandparents have been linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety among college students.

Are there organizations that support respecting elders?

Yes, there are several organizations that provide services and support for respecting elders , such as HelpAge India, Eldercare Locator (US), Age UK, and the Council on the Ageing (Australia). They offer advice, social engagement opportunities, information on elder abuse prevention, and resources for promoting intergenerational relationships.

Why should we respect our elders?

We should respect our elders because they are our parents and have taught us values. They need to feel a sense of purpose and deserve to age with comfort and ease. Recognizing their contributions to society and honoring their experiences builds a stronger bond and a more compassionate community.

How can we support and care for our elders?

We can support and care for our elders by spending quality time with them, valuing their advice, showing respect, eating together, helping them navigate the digital era, encouraging bonding with grandchildren, and considering caregiving services when needed.

How can we avoid patronizing our elders?

While offering assistance is important, it is crucial not to patronize elders. We must respect their autonomy and listen to their needs. Small gestures of help, like offering a seat on public transport, should be done with their consent. Treating them with respect and appreciation is key to maintaining a strong relationship.

Why is it important to recognize our elders?

It is important to recognize our elders because by celebrating their successes and acknowledging their sacrifices, we create a society that values their wisdom and experiences. This recognition empowers us and instills hope for the future.

Why should we honor and respect our elders?

Honoring and respecting our elders is a moral obligation and a way of life that benefits everyone involved. It fosters intergenerational relationships, reduces stereotypes and ageism, improves mental health, and creates a more inclusive society.

Source Links

• https://medium.com/artificial-wisdom/respect-your-elders-758016094a3e
• https://lottie.org/carecollective/why-you-must-respect-your-elders/
• https://myassuredhomenursing.com/7-ways-to-express-respect-care-for-our-elders/

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How can older people play a bigger role in society?

The main points from our discussion on how to make the best use of older people’s skills, knowledge and experience Read the discussion in full

What do people worry about as they grow older?

Anna McEwen, director of support and development, Shared Lives Plus : Older people have different expectations these days, and that will continue to change. What might have been good enough for previous generations will not cut it in the future, and what we have is not sustainable anyway. I certainly don’t want to end up in a care home, nor do I want to have to make the decision for my parents to go into one. I have worked with many older people who have just wanted to stay in their own homes. It’s about choice, having the services in place to support people to make choices about how they want to live, and be supported when necessary in later life.

Gemma Heath, PA Consulting Group : I think broadly the things people worry about are the same throughout life – finances, wellbeing, loneliness etc – but as people get older their feeling of being able to control these things changes.

Roger Newman, older person and LGBT activist: My concerns are the usual things like health, mortality, money, etc, but having a feeling of significance is also important.

Are there stereotypes of older people?

McEwen: Yes there are. Intergenerational work is a great way to break down barriers between groups of people. For young people to appreciate the experiences and skills of older people and vice versa so that we foster greater understanding between groups of people.

Helen Creighton and George Holley-Moore, International Longevity Centre : There are certainly stereotypes surrounding the baby boomers – well off retirees who maybe took early retirement, own a couple of properties and take frequent holidays. While we have made significant strides in reducing pensioner poverty in the last 20 years (previously to be old meant most likely you would be poor), there is still a significant number of older people living in poverty today. And with wealth inequality comes health inequality, as the Marmot report of 2010 pointed out.

Gillian Connor, head of external affairs, Hanover : I think that older age is still seen as a shorthand for ill-health, inactivity and decline and therefore that stereotype can prevail. There is also an unhelpful stereotype of older people as being anti-youth. There is such brilliant diversity in older age now – you really can’t generalise about a group who may range from 50 to 100+.

What role do older people play in society at the moment?

McEwen: Older people have a wealth of skills and experiences, they have lived through situations others cannot even imagine, and yet we continue to dismiss these lifetimes of experiences when they begin to need care and support and instead people become a list of care needs.

Heath: Older people contribute on a macro level to the workplace and financially and at a local level to their communities and individual networks in terms of experience. They have also contributed for many decades which is something which is often forgotten.

Creighton and Moore: Recent research by the ILC estimated that workers over the age of 50 contribute €2.5tr to the Eurozone economy every year, and many older people also contribute to the economy informally – by caring for their grandchildren or other family members. Figures from the Family and Childcare trust report that 2.3 million grandparents say that they look after their grandchildren in order to enable the children’s parents to go to work.

How is the environment geared towards (or against) older people taking part in their communities?

Simon Bottery, director of policy and external relations, Independent Age : There are so many simple things that could be improved. For example, most people over 65 walk more slowly than the 1.2 metres per second that is assumed at pedestrian crossings. The result is older people rushing to get across a road as the lights turn to green and the traffic begins to move.

Newman: In Singapore the elderly have smart cards that they can swipe at road crossings and thus slow down the speed that traffic lights change.

Heath: I would extend the “environment” to include people’s homes. How are we ensuring that people’s homes are adequate for them to remain independent and happy in? Local authorities should review their funding policies to ensure home solutions such as telecare and assistive technology are free to all with substantial need. This supports a reduction in demand on other healthcare services for example A&E departments when issues arise.

Connor: Small things, like well-placed benches for people to rest if they can’t walk so well, public toilet provision and thoughtful use of lighting and colour to aid those with dementia can be the difference between being active and housebound.

Creighton and Moore: Making active transport (walking, cycling) more accessible for older people is important. In the UK, cycling remains a disproportionately young (and male) mode of transport. In the Netherlands and Germany, for example, it is far more common for older people to cycle. Improving cycle routes to make them safer is a start. In Scandinavia, planning laws encourage mixed-use development, making journeys from the home to shops and services a lot shorter, and more accessible for older people. This has obvious health benefits, but also can reduce isolation in our older population.

Anthea Tinker, professor of social gerontology, King’s College London : The Age Friendly City research in London showed that there were some excellent features such as the freedom pass and better accessibility on buses and tubes but some way to go with such things as overcrowding, antisocial behaviour, lack of handrails and not enough time to cross roads at traffic lights.

What employment opportunities are there for older people?

Newman: I chair a local medical centre patient participation group and we have a number of older members who are using their skills in the workplace. However, working in later life needs to acknowledge our need for flexibility especially when our staying power might be reduced. Job sharing and part-time work can be ideal for us.

Jonathan Morgan, senior service manager, Red Cross independent living services in London: There are a number of opportunities to increase work opportunities for older people, someone mentioned previously that the third sector has notoriously low numbers of older people as employees despite having the most experience of advocating for them as a group. It’s a cultural shift that’s needed so that young people growing up are understanding the value of older people and the many benefits they can bring to the workplace.

Tinker: There is evidence of age discrimination in the workplace as the recent government report A new vision for older workers: retain, retrain recruit shows. Interestingly more older people are becoming self employed.

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Essay on Senior Citizen

Students are often asked to write an essay on Senior Citizen in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Senior Citizen

Who are senior citizens.

Senior citizens are individuals who are aged 60 or above. They are often retired and have spent a significant part of their lives contributing to society.

Importance of Senior Citizens

Senior citizens are important as they hold vast experience and wisdom. They have stories to tell and lessons to teach, which are invaluable.

Challenges Faced by Senior Citizens

Some senior citizens might face health issues, loneliness, and financial problems. It’s essential for us to help them overcome these challenges.

Respecting Senior Citizens

We should always respect senior citizens. Their contributions to our lives and society are immense. They deserve our love, care, and respect.

250 Words Essay on Senior Citizen

Understanding senior citizens.

Senior citizens, individuals aged 60 and above, represent a significant and growing demographic in our society. They are the custodians of tradition, wisdom, and experience. However, in the fast-paced world of technology and globalization, they often face unique challenges.

The Value of Senior Citizens

Senior citizens are the pillars of society, having contributed significantly to the development of the communities we live in today. Their lifetime of experience offers a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that can guide younger generations. They provide a link to our past and a perspective that enriches our understanding of history and culture.

Despite their value, senior citizens often face a variety of challenges. These include health issues, loneliness, and the struggle to keep up with technological advancements. Additionally, they may encounter ageism, a form of discrimination that can lead to marginalization and isolation.

Our Responsibility Towards Senior Citizens

As a society, we have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of our senior citizens. This includes providing them with access to healthcare, social security, and opportunities for active engagement in societal activities. At the same time, we should promote intergenerational learning, fostering respect and understanding between different age groups.

In conclusion, senior citizens play a vital role in our society. Recognizing their value and addressing their unique needs is not only a social responsibility but also a step towards a more inclusive and empathetic society. Let us cherish their wisdom and experience, and work towards a world where they continue to thrive.

500 Words Essay on Senior Citizen

Introduction.

Senior citizens, individuals who are 60 years and above, constitute an essential segment of our society. They carry a wealth of experience and wisdom, having lived through various phases of life, and thus play a significant role in shaping societal values and norms. However, the aging process brings with it a unique set of challenges that need to be addressed.

Senior citizens are a repository of knowledge and wisdom. Their experiences, accumulated over decades, offer invaluable lessons for younger generations. They provide a historical perspective, giving context and depth to current events and societal changes. Moreover, they often serve as the backbone of families, imparting moral values and cultural traditions to the younger generation.

Despite their significant contributions, senior citizens often face numerous challenges. Physical health issues, mental health problems like loneliness and depression, and financial constraints are common. The inability to adapt to rapidly changing technology can also lead to feelings of isolation and inadequacy.

Role of Society and Government

Society and government play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of senior citizens. Social initiatives like community centers and clubs can provide seniors with opportunities for social interaction, reducing feelings of loneliness. Governments can implement policies to safeguard the financial security of seniors, ensuring they receive adequate pensions and healthcare benefits.

Technological Solutions for Senior Citizens

Technology can play a key role in enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens. Assistive technologies can help them maintain independence, while digital platforms can offer avenues for social connection. However, it is crucial to ensure that these technologies are user-friendly and accessible to seniors, who may not be as tech-savvy as the younger generation.

Senior citizens are a valuable asset to society, contributing significantly to our cultural, moral, and intellectual wealth. However, we must address the unique challenges they face, from health and financial issues to feelings of isolation. By leveraging societal initiatives, government policies, and technological innovations, we can ensure that senior citizens continue to lead fulfilling, dignified lives. Their well-being is not just a societal obligation, but a testament to our values and humanity.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Responsibilities of a Good Citizen
• Essay on Responsibilities of a Citizen
• Essay on Good Citizen

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The Importance Of Senior Citizens Essay Example

The increase in the life span that has been possible due to upgradation brought about in medical science, has created a new problem. It is that now we have so many senior citizens everywhere and their number is increasing day by day. It is estimated that by 2010, we shall be having about 11 per cent of our population in the category of senior citizens. This had arisen an issue whether senior citizen is an asset or either a liability. Many people would perceive them as old, incapable and sickly thus becoming liability to society. However, as humanity still being part of the moral fabric in our society, we wouldn’t abandon them, instead cherish and tried to bring them last bit of joy in the rest of their life.

First and foremost, senior citizens have experience, time, talent and the resources to give back to society. For example, they could act as chaperones on field trips or even serve as academic tutors to share their vast knowledge. Other than that, senior citizens also have the opportunity to volunteer as they have a lot of time to share ideas as well as learning something form volunteering activity. As a matter of facts, volunteering helps to bolster nation’s economy as senior citizens help organizations to save millions as they are working not to have something in return and solely from their pure heart in contributing. Hence, senior citizens clearly helped society by utilizing their free time to a better cause. In others context, senior citizen in the workforce have a wealth of skills and practical experience to share with younger worker in achieving company’s goals . They already had vast experience in coping with their work as well as wisdom at an advanced age to generate profit-making ideas. They can impart tried and tested work practices and good work ethics to younger workers thus exposing younger workers to patience, job integrity and boosting their self-esteem. Therefore, senior citizens vast knowledge in their workforce would tremendously help younger generation to survive in the company.

Lastly, the last point to highlight is senior citizens that already retired could focusing on keeping their family together for instance helping with raising their grandchildren when most of the parents engulfed in their works. Furthermore, these senior citizens could instil their family younger generation with moral values as well as preserving religious and cultural values in helping their grandchildren growth. They can pass on family history and societal norms which would be impossible for parents that are working full-time. Hence, senior citizens will help instil sense of pride and self-belonging to younger generation as well as ensuring that they are not lacking in parental love in this urban style living. 

In conclusion, senior citizens is indeed a valuable asset and an inspiration to the public, the workplace and at home. They will bring positive impact to those who are willing to share and reap their experience. As young fellow Malaysian, embarking senior citizen to stay ahead of their prime day despite being old is the most significant matters to progress the nation as a whole. I certainly believe that senior citizens experience and vast knowledge could be utilise and eventually gauged as a valuable asset to our country.

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Student Essay: Helping the Older Generation Embrace Technology

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Jordan Mittler, a sophomore at The Ramaz Upper School in New York City and a participant in the Wharton Global Youth Summer Program, is the founder of Mittler Senior Technology, a company that helps senior citizens adapt to the world of technology. In this student essay, Jordan shares the story of how he started his business and why it has become so critical during this time of social isolation — especially in New York City, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.

In the next few months, Wharton Global Youth will be featuring a new essay every week, written by students around the world who are at home and eager to share their stories of entrepreneurship, leadership and experiences with business.

Five years ago, I gifted my grandparents, Janet and Mark Mittler, iPhones because it was painful for me to watch them still using flip phones! I have always been passionate about technology. I needed to get my grandparents, with whom I am very close, on board with the latest gadgets. It never even occurred to me that they would have no idea how to use an iPhone. They did not know how to perform many of the basic functions that come so easily to my generation, such as texting, Facetiming, photographing — and the list goes on.

And so, the idea for my business was born. I knew I needed to help this older generation, who missed the technology boom and was literally scared of trying to figure out our new connected world. As a result of this very real fear, they were often left alone and out of touch because they couldn’t communicate like everyone else.

Bonnie’s Got Mail

I decided to test my market concept at the local nursing home. I will never forget walking through those doors. I was only 11 at the time, and the director looked at me as if I had 10 heads. I went to the recreation floor and asked over a microphone: “Who would like free technology help?” I only had one taker. Her name was Bonnie Fisher, and I sat with her one-on-one for more than a year providing technology lessons. You should have seen Bonnie light up when she figured out how to connect with her sister and friends over email! I needed to figure out a way to reach a bigger audience.

I reached out to my synagogue, Congregation Kehilath Jeshrun, and asked if they would send a letter by mail promoting free technology help to all of their members over the age of 65. The synagogue was flooded with phone calls from interested seniors looking to enroll in tech class each Sunday. My temple, affiliated with my school, also let me use the school’s computer lab to hold my weekly classes. So many seniors showed interest that I had to maintain a waitlist. I got them into the classroom and taught them everything from texting to FaceTime and how to navigate the internet.

Fast forward to February 2020, and my classes were booming. I had even inspired some of my friends to join me in volunteering their time as teaching assistants. I had just added another class to fit in as many beginner and intermediate seniors as possible, and I felt like I was in a very good position to start scaling my business to reach even more learners.

We all know what happened next. Coronavirus swept through the world and our country, hitting the senior population the hardest and having a grim impact on New York City (reporting nearly 4,500 deaths through the beginning of April). During this time, I canceled my Sunday classes as my own schedule moved to at-home online learning.

I also realized, however, that senior citizens were suddenly even more cut off than ever. This new world of distancing was going to throw the older generation into more social isolation than they had ever experienced. One of my students, Roz Zuger, is 94 years old. I knew she would be disappointed without her weekly dose of tech class. So, I decided that I would attempt to continue my classes online via Zoom and walk all of my seniors through setting up the application and account. I started with Roz, spending endless phone calls with her to get her set up and comfortable with the online meeting platform. Roz had lots of trouble with the audio function on Zoom, and we slowly worked through this together.

After missing only one in-person class – and sending multiple texts and reminder calls — I had my whole class plus others online with me for our first virtual session. I updated my curriculum to be most helpful for seniors during this time when they were homebound and alone. For example, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, the Rabbi Emeritus of my synagogue and Principal Emeritus of my school, needed help creating a group chat so he could communicate with all his children at one time. He was having particular trouble setting this up. I was able to show him virtually how to work through all the issues.

Facetiming and Ordering Groceries Online

The key to my teaching success with the older generation is showing, not just explaining. For seniors, talking in technology terms is less effective than presenting them with a visual of how to do something. They’re just not used to the language of technology. Roz, for example, was only able to launch Zoom after I Facetimed with her and sent her pictures via text of the next steps she needed to take. I helped Rabbi Lookstein by sharing visuals with him from my own computer screen.

In the past few weeks, we have been figuring this out as we go along – and it’s working. I started to record all of my Zoom sessions, so the seniors could replay any section of our class for review. After each online session, I send out a link to the recording, as well as a message with everything covered in class that day. My updated curriculum includes showing my students (which total some 80 seniors) how to order groceries online, how to order from Amazon, how to Facetime to stay connected, how to access online newspapers, and, of course, how to mute and unmute their Zoom audio.

It has been really rewarding for me to help so many people become tech-savvy during a time when technology has never been more fundamental to our daily lives. Social distancing has helped me bridge even further the gap between generations – and empower older people with the very valuable tool of connection.

Related Links

• Teen Vogue: Teens Are Helping Seniors Stay Connected

Conversation Starters

How did Jordan Mittler think like an entrepreneur in a time of crisis? Need help? Check out this Wharton Global Youth article for guidance.

Initially, Jordan only had one customer. Why was Bonnie so important to the growth of his idea and his business?

Have you used innovation to respond to needs during the coronavirus pandemic? Share your story in the Comment section of this article.

33 comments on “ Student Essay: Helping the Older Generation Embrace Technology ”

Wow! It’s incredible how technology can connect everyone. Many people often say that technology drifts us apart, but I’d like to disagree. In the current age, technology lets people from all walks of life to seamlessly connect. From Jordan’s example of how he helped local senior citizens be accustom to technology, it indeed shows how something as small as a smartphone can bridge generational divides.

Moreover, I’d like to add that I’ve seen a similar experience with my grandparents. My grandparents currently reside in India while I live in the US. This poses a problem as we cannot communicate readily. However, I found a solution to that vexing issue last summer. My family and I decided it was time for a change in the technology my grandparents were using, so we bought them iPhones. I helped them understand the ins and outs of how to use the technology which they were not familiar with. Because of this, they often facetime us from India and have even become like teenagers, as now they are glued to their phones.

Hi Vishnu, I really enjoyed reading your anecdote about your grandparents in India. I could relate to this issue since my grandparents live in Maryland, while I reside in New Jersey. Pre-isolation, my extended family and I would visit them almost bimonthly. This was crucial to their well-being, as they live alone in a rural area. During the quarantine, I helped introduce them to Zoom, which has been a useful online tool. Now that they are capable of using it, our entire family has weekly digital chats. In relation to this article, our examples of giving help to our grandparents exemplify the responsibility of younger generations to take initiative with technology. Jordan allowing the Rabbi Emeritus of his synagogue to communicate with all his children at once is an important example of lending knowledge and skills to older generations to maximize efficiency and happiness during these times of uncertainty.

I understand that technology helps connect people, especially during this time of endless quarantines. It is beneficial that the older generation is taking an interest in technology, breaking the stereotype that the elderly reject new ideas. After all, technology was and is made to make humans’ lives easier. However, while reading both your comments, Vishnu and Charlie, along with the article, I see that in all the cases of older people using technology, it is because the elderly generation have no other ways to stay connected. Now, this sparked a curious thought inside me—the elderly are using tech because especially during this time period, they really need it to prevent themselves from becoming isolated. But when it comes to young people, we just use tech because we are so addicted to it. We reach for a phone because it’s just what teens do. We text, FaceTime, and play multiplayer games with each other simultaneously. For the elderly, the chance to be able to connect with their loved ones is a big highlight in their life. They have not experienced such ease and luxury for much of their lives.

In contrast, teens have grown up around technology. We should try to bring back a culture that is less focused on technology usage to grow up appreciating the time we use technology, especially to connect with others. The younger generation is so desensitized by constant interaction through texting and voice/video calls that we often fail to appreciate it. I was surprised by the enthusiasm of the elderly when Jordan offered classes, but now I realize that it’s because they have realized its value and are taking efforts to gain the most out of it. For me, it took spending some time in quarantine to realize this. My friends and I are always complaining how we are so lonely, when we have actually been texting and calling daily before the COVID-19 outbreak. Teens need to shift a little bit away from the constant technology usage and take time to do other things that do not require technology—perhaps even teaching their elderly relatives about technology, as Jordan did.

I also have another major concern: older people are already at huge risk to scams and privacy issues, and presenting them with increased technology would give others more opportunities to take advantage of the elderly. I already admire Jordan very much for being able to accomplish the feat of teaching the elderly about technology, and I am also very impressed at how he runs his program so professionally and in such an organized way. But I also hope that Jordan, along with you, Vishnu and Charlie, for your grandparents, have presented the gift of technology as well as explained the dangers that come with technology. There are many scammers and hackers that target the elderly, as they are known to take weaker security measures without knowing the consequences. They are more susceptible to common false alerts on the internet and on phone calls. When we think of introducing technology to the elderly, thinking about their tech security and scam-awareness are not the first things that come to mind, so I think there should be further steps taken to make that a priority. Still, I understand that connecting with loved ones is a priority in this case, as it is a good thing that your grandparents have been able to establish a system of communication to maximize the time you all share. I hope there will be more cases similar to that of yours and Jordan’s students. That way, the world can truly be connected and everyone will FEEL connected!

Daniel It is interesting that you note that students now are doing school from home and despite being tech savvy, they miss the socialization of school and may have to find other ways of relating to their friends or spending their time. They can stimulate their minds thinking about how they can contribute to society, or better their reading and writing skills.

Charlie It is important for children and grandchildren to recognize that their senior relatives can benefit from learning technology, and a little patience in instructing them will make them so happy. On a personal note, my Rabbi has done so much for my family and has been there for all of our family’s life events, so it gave me personal pleasure to help teach him how to connect with his family in new ways during these challenging times.

I love your personal experience with your grandparents. Your thoughts remind me that helping the older generation learn the use of technology also help us connects our lives with theirs.

Vishnu This is wonderful to hear that you got your grandparents iPhones and they are now using FaceTime. It is interesting that you point out that technology sometimes causes people to drift apart, maybe because it is often something people do alone without communicating with others. There are so many elements of technology like face time or zoom that allow people to connect virtually.

Hey Vishnu,

It sounds like we both share Jordan’s experience with the elderly population. I definitely agree that technology has connected us all and bridged generations. While your grandparents are in India, mine are in Florida. I know it’s not quite as far away, but for them, it’s far enough. Similar to how you guys had to cater your lessons to what their generation was used to, I have had my share of challenging but also rewarding experiences. For Jordan, it was FaceTime and Zoom; for me, it was Gmail.

My grandpa called me one day because his friend had sent out a party invite as a list. Grandpa spent about forty minutes trying to find it. I told him to look carefully and like Santa, check his list twice. He didn’t think that was funny. I realized that his friend’s email probably went to his Spambox. I told him to look to the left to find Spambox and click on it. He replied “My Gmail must be different from yours; I don’t have a Spambox folder.” After a few minutes of trying to describe it to him, I FaceTimed him. I looked on his screen and realized that he needed to scroll down in order to find Spambox.

For me, I had always automatically scrolled down to find it without even realizing that I did this. To me, every action or click is like a knee-jerk reflex, but I realized that for grandpa, his reflexes needed a bit more time to kick in. Jordan is absolutely right in that the elderly need more hands-on and visual support. Remember, they grew up with things that required more physical interaction like holding a thick hardcovered book or applying their index finger on a rotary phone. Even my mom tells me she used to love watching each digit of the rotary phone make its way back!

Anyways, thank goodness for FaceTime. I showed grandpa how to scroll down to find his Spambox. And sure enough, the mysterious party invite miraculously appeared. I thought about teaching Grandpa how to move that conversation to his Inbox, but he was so elated that I decided to save this lesson for another day.

I found this article very relatable as I have as well tried to teach my grandparents how to use a mobile phone. At the end I was only able to teach my grandmother how to play candy crush and how to select who she wanted to call without needing to type the number every time. But nothing more. She kept refusing to learn the “new and unnecessary technologies”.

What he is doing very important, specially during the coronavirus epidemic. I have found the elderly are the ones who suffer the most isolation, as they are the ones that are less connected. It reminds me of a video what was viral in social media about a grandmother who sang happy birthday to herself, alone, in her house. It broke my heart. This is why seemingly-small ideas like these can really make an impact and change people’s lives for the better.

Hi Alejandra! I can totally relate to your experience. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been sympathizing for the elderly in nursing homes, who are not able to interact with families. Therefore, I started Facetime sessions with the elderly, either playing piano for them or chatting with them to help time pass by for them. However, I came across some obstacles, such as having difficulties getting on the video chat. She told me that although she enjoys having a companion to talk to, it is really hard for her to work with the technology, such as logging onto the computer. I was dejected for not being able to teach her about technology usage due to the quarantine lockdown.

Furthermore, I live on the opposite side of the globe from my grandmother. The only form of communicating and interacting is through technology. However, she also has hard time using it as well, and it really is painful to think that I am not able to spend most of the time actually talking rather than being lost on using the technology to communicate, especially when I want to spend as much time with her.

As of in the near future, I would like to create a nonprofit business, putting an emphasis on sharing our knowledge of technology to those who are not efficient with it.

Alejandra Seniors are often fixed in their ways and unwilling to change. They like what has been working for so many years. They have to be told that is ok to try things with their phone and not to be afraid to make a mistake. Your grandmother liked to make calls but she may like to learn how to text if she is encouraged to do so, and understand this is a popular way to communicating these days. If she tries it maybe she will like it. She may appreciate someone texting her an image or picture, something you can’t do over the phone.

This article really reflects the present situation of contemporary society.In just 20 years, from cover phones to smartphones, from 2G to 5G, from 8GB to 512GB, the change is so fast and dramatic that the elderly feel disjointed by the society. Take my family for instance. In the 5 years ago, my grandparents don’t know how to use the smartphones. But now, they can use the app like Wechat to communicate with others. When they go out and buy stuffs, they use the apple pay instead of paying the cash. This paves the convenient for them because the elderly will be easy to lost cash or coins on the way home. You know that they will be disappointed and complaint when they know they just lost several dollars. This problem can be solved now. The another advantage that I discovered is that seeing the doctor online. In the past, my grandfather had to get up early around 5.am and go to the hospital to make an appointment. In the morning, the temperature is very low and it is so tired for him to register. But now, they can make the appointment online through the app. This can largely save the time on the way to the hospital and queuing outside the gate. After finishing the doctor, The medicine will be mailed to the home, so that grandpa would not have to go to the hospital to get it again and again. This class sounds great since it helped a lot of “students” to learn the advanced technology. Nowadays, many young people are busy with their work and don’ have enough time to teach their parents to use the phones. This class just solves this embarrassment. Recently, my grandparents know a lot of knowledge about the prevention of COVID-19 and buying the food online without going to the market to reduce the risk of infection. The phones really make the life more convenient and these classes should be encouraged by the public. We should try our best to make the contribution to the society.

I agree with you, YuTao. The article really emphasizes the change that technology has brought onto the modern world and the transformational effect it can have on someone’s life. As technology evolves every day, so does mankind. And in this time and day, it’s up to the newer generation to educate the older generations about this change. Being part of the new generation myself, I’ve had to teach many family members about technology as well, such as setting up an app, purchasing something, or helping them understand how to communicate with their friends through the use of WeChat and similar apps. A couple of years ago, we went back to China to visit our family, and at the end of the trip, because the thought of saying goodbye and not speaking to them for a long time was so painful, we decided to get them new phones and teach them how to use them so we could communicate with the touch of a button whenever we missed each other. My cousin and I had to teach our uncles, aunts, and grandparents how to set up their new phones and WeChat because technology was still foreign to them at the time. And now, they use their phones just like anyone would in this day and time, despite the large age gap between us. At home, my mom constantly asks me questions about technology because she isn’t very technologically advanced, due to the fact that she immigrated here from China back when there was little technology available. However, now that she has one, she constantly asks me how to set things up, how to search things up, or how to manage her WeChat when she wants to call or FaceTime some of her friends. She’s also learned to use her phone to go places by using Google Maps. Using handheld maps and knowing the routes by heart is no longer needed with the advancement of technology. Because of the elderly’s age, getting places and doing things by themselves is not as easy as it was when they were younger. They aren’t able to support themselves, and their kids may be too busy with work and their own lives to be around them every hour of the day. With their newfound technology, they can call for assistance by simply pressing a button that will notify help, or call someone in case of an emergency. Technology could very well save someone’s life. Moreover, I feel like the class that Jordan has decided to teach could end up helping everyone, not just his students. His teaching the classes means that the elderly’s kids don’t need to teach them themselves, and instead can focus on working and supporting their family as a whole. They can rest assured knowing that their parents are safe and that they know what to do in case of an emergency. In addition, they could also learn to download some games for their own entertainment. It’s important to acknowledge Jordan for everything he’s done and to appreciate him for giving us this opportunity to experience something new that can help many. This example shows just how much technology has evolved over these years.

YuTao Thank you for your kind words. More people are no longer using money, so it would be helpful for seniors to use their phone to pay for things, maybe with credit card or Apple Pay. It is very helpful for seniors to be able to use electronics for medical purposes, like emailing with a doctor. I also teach in my class about a healthcare app where seniors can keep all of their medical information.

Experience is key in entrepreneurship. One of the few ways we have to better ourselves as entrepreneurs, and our businesses as life experiences, is going through an initial process of practice and learning, often a synonym for failure. Bonnie’s role in the case of this fantastic entrepreneurial story is exactly this one: giving Jordan a starting point, from which acknowledging the actions necessary to improve the quality of the business. As often stated throughout the article, connecting people has never had such an importance in the terrible crisis we are facing due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Older people are being left behind, not only technologically, but unfortunately socially too: missing tools, such as the previously discussed iPhones and laptops, and absent experience, make it much more difficult for grandmas and grandpas to go beyond the standard, old-fashioned phone call, in a world, in a time, where the closer we can get to having real-life meeting with our loved ones is joining a Zoom call. I personally find this a wonderful example of how we, as youngsters, can personally engage in making these terrible times lighter and less burdensome: each small action can make a difference, regardless of the size of our targeted audience, and our duty as world-citizen, I think, has never had such an important role in our everyday life.

Jacopo I’ve been very fortunate to have this entrepreneurial experience at this early age, and I hope to continue through my high school years so that I will be able to expand this program and scale it so it helps so many more people.

Similar to your experiences, I am also a sophomore and also volunteer to aid senior individuals in adapting to new technology! As a branch director in an organization called Teach Seniors Technology, I could not relate more on the initial difficulties in gaining customers. A few years ago, when I walked into my local community center to give my first lesson, there were only one or two students. In fact, there were many times during my first couple of months volunteering where no students had signed up for my weekly lessons! Though I wasn’t necessarily successful at first, I was also forced to adapt for these reasons. After reaching out to the community center staff, I was able to secure a classroom and promotion materials for my service which now serves several seniors each week.

Yet, I believe the “success” of my organization is determined by much more than the number of seniors who I teach. I often serve seniors from China, who have to bridge both the language barrier and the technological gap here in the United States. One of the ladies at my branch literally burst into joy when I taught her how to use Google Translate! In a world which is becoming increasingly interconnected and reliant on technology, I find that “success” of my volunteering branch rests on reintegrating these seniors into the technological area of society. I am overjoyed by the fact that there are other who share so much similarity with me. As more and more technological advancements are made, we must learn to bridge generational gaps so that our society as a whole can progress together with the technology that is being invented.

Jason It is wonderful to hear of another sophomore participating in a similar type of program.

Just like you, I help senior citizens but also adults from Central and South America with the technology and language barrier that thousands of people face in the United States. Technology is not common for lower classes in third world countries which makes it difficult for these adults and senior citizens to understand what seems like the basics of a smartphone for the majority of people in the US. It is such a joy when I see those which I help finally being able to communicate through Google Translate (An incredible tool I must say) and doing tasks like buying on Amazon, Instacart, or any online store. Observing this has made me come to the conclusion that we must come together as the new technology generation and help all of those individuals who have not gotten the opportunity to learn the incredible benefits the tech world brings; together we can close the digital divide across all ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses. We are the future and have yet to see great things created through technology.

Great response, Rossana! Do I see a team of digital-divide change makers forming here?

Technology helps join people, specially for the duration of this time of infinite quarantines. It is recommended that the older era is taking an hobby in technology, breaking the stereotype that the elderly reject new ideas. After all, technological know-how was once and is made to make humans’ lives easier. However, whilst analyzing each your comments, Vishnu and Charlie, alongside with the article, I see that in all the instances of older humans the use of technology, it is due to the fact the aged era have no different approaches to remain connected. Now, this sparked a curious thinking internal me—the aged are the use of tech due to the fact particularly at some stage in this time period, they genuinely want it to forestall themselves from turning into isolated. But when it comes to younger people, we simply use tech due to the fact we are so addicted to it. We attain for a smartphone due to the fact it’s simply what teenagers do. We text, FaceTime, and play multiplayer video games with every different simultaneously. For the elderly, the hazard to be in a position to join with their cherished ones is a massive spotlight in their life. They have no longer skilled such ease and luxurious for a great deal of their lives.

Despite efforts to teach the older generation about the newest developments in technology, it is saddening how much of the older generation is still very ignorant about it, especially since it is an era of technology.

One summer, I went to China to see my relatives, especially my grandmother. My grandmother lived in more rural parts of Sichuan, in Dazu. She didn’t need to use any technology; as long as she knew how to open the television and call using her corded home telephone, she could live happily growing plants in the back yard and raising chickens. She rarely went into the city to where my other relatives lived, they always visited her instead. However, to my delightful surprise, she proactively volunteered to wait for my arrival in Chongqing, one of the busiest cities in Sichuan.

When I arrived at my aunt’s apartment, where my grandma stayed, I asked jokingly why she decided to finally come to the city, she replied that it was because she hadn’t been here for so long. It was boring back home, and my grandma wanted to experience what life is like in the city for a while. She said that she would stay in the city until I left for America in a few weeks.

I was delighted and planned to take her to all sorts of fun places with great food that I had remembered from my last visit here. In Dazu, you could hardly find such boisterousness due to the lack of crowds. I was sure that she would enjoy it.

One morning, after I had officially settled in at my aunt’s house, my aunt and her husband told me that they were going to go somewhere for the rest of the day and needed me to take care of my grandmother. They said I could take my grandmother out to walk or do some other activities, but to be careful. I agreed with a smile.

My grandma was very happy this particular morning as well. She told me that she wanted to try exercising in the nearby park with some other old people; she wanted to make some friends here. I happily agreed. I walked her to the park and watched her dance and make merry with the folks there. After a few minutes, she could tell that I was a little restless and told me to play on my own and insisted that she could manage herself well. She said that she would go home when she wanted to and told me not to worry. I reluctantly agreed, told her the directions to the apartment building, and gave her the corresponding card. The apartment wasn’t that far, only one block away from the park. Then, I went off to a nearby stationary store to buy some souvenirs for my friends in America.

After some time, I picked the gifts that caught my fancy and went on the line to pay. The store was very popular and so the line was very long as well. After waiting for a quarter of an hour, I finally got out of the line and started my way home. In the distance, I saw a familiar figure. I panicked and hurriedly ran to the entrance of the apartment.

My grandma stood in the burning sun, her arms hung down at her sides, watching the pedestrians. Apparently, she had a squabble with the people from the park almost immediately after I left. She wasn’t in the mood to dance anymore, so she went home. However, the problem is that she didn’t know how to open the more technologically advanced apartment door. To me, the door system was very simple, you just had to swipe a card, but my grandmother never had to use this sort of system, she only ever needed a key. My grandma thought that you just had to press the card against the door or something. She also forgot how to call using the smartphone that was given to her. I also didn’t think it was necessary enough to teach my grandmother how to open the door since it seemed natural to me.

This story truly shows the importance of communication and the need to help the older generation with technology.

“When are you coming back?” These words were music to my 15-year-old ears. I had just helped fix the internet connectivity issue for Ms. Jacobson, one of the residents at Sequoias’, a senior residential facility, where I was volunteering to help seniors with their tech issues in the summer after my freshman year. Ms. Jacobson sent a very nice thank you note about the help she received from me to the Services Director at Sequoias who passed it on to me. The note, painstakingly written in spidery cursive must have taken Ms. Jacobson some time to write and is still cherished by me. The experience with helping seniors with their tech issues and entertaining them with piano recitals helped me get more attuned to the needs of my own grandparents. My two sets of grandparents are separated by a decade and come from similar backgrounds but have very different life experiences. One set of grandparents who live with us are older, technologically challenged, and can call on us anytime to help them operate the phone, the TV and other gadgets. They prefer to read the actual newspaper despite efforts to get them to read news online, and prefer talking on the phone instead of using Facetime. The younger set of grandparents who live in India have a large social circle, live on their own, and while still technologically challenged, have learned the basics of how to use a smartphone, browse the internet, and order online. Jordan’s article made me reflect on my experience working with seniors, both in my own family and outside and I realized that seniors face the same challenges that students of all ages face. First of all, every student learns in their own unique way, much like some of Jordan’s students – Roz and Rabbi Haskel. Some are visual learners, some need more time to read and absorb information on their own, etc. Secondly, each student has different capabilities and interests. Some like one set of my grandparents did not have much interest in learning how to use technology as they were happy with the old ways and could always ask us for help if they needed it. The other set of grandparents found ways to learn the basics that they needed to fulfill their needs as they were living on their own. There is also a social and cultural context to this. More and more seniors are now forced to live on their own, either in their homes or in senior facilities. Those that do not live with family face loneliness among other issues, and do need to know some basics such as texting, online searching and ordering, connecting with their medical provider online, etc. to stay safe, independent, and connected. The need to stay connected has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the issue with being connected is that not only are seniors more vulnerable to scams, they are also very gullible when it comes to fake news. I have had to constantly remind my grandparents who treat WhatsApp and Facebook as reliable news sources that everything they read there is not always true. The other issue is the plethora of apps, tools, and websites that can be overwhelming for seniors. I noticed this issue after working with a couple of seniors at Sequoias and created a home page for every senior I worked with, that contained shortcuts/icons for their most frequently used apps and websites for easy access. Perhaps in all of this, there is an opportunity to create senior-friendly apps and devices, but unfortunately, this is not a coveted demographic for tech companies and marketers. There is certainly a need to help seniors learn tech basics which can enrich and simplify their life. I applaud Jordan’s efforts to provide this valuable service to seniors in his community. However, the bigger question I ponder is that why are seniors put into this position in the first place where instead of enjoying time with their families, they are forced to learn new skills, especially when many have impacted cognitive skills which makes learning new things harder. Additionally, we are only talking about a subset of the senior population. There is a big population of seniors living in poverty who have more pressing issues such as survival to deal with. My own experience with my grandparents and with seniors I worked with is that every single one of them would have preferred to live with their families, surrounded by their children and grandchildren instead of connecting with them over facetime and group chats. In fact, the percentage of multigenerational families in the United States has continued to rise, primarily due to financial necessity. While one size does not fit all and every family has their own unique challenges, perhaps it’s time for us as a society to take a closer look at how best to support the needs of our senior population, given the increased life expectancy in the United States.

Hey, Jatin. I really enjoyed reading your thoughtful post and response. What I love most is that you bring up some broader issues that really add value to the “seniors and technology” conversation. I’ve always admired certain cultures — India for one — where families place more emphasis on caring for and living with their elders, the people without whom they would not even exist. The questions you raise about supporting our senior population are so important! We deliver them meals, help them connect, even give them a ride to the market, but we don’t go beyond to the point of human companionship and connection at a time when they need it most.

The age of smartphones has progressed so quickly that the fact the first iPhone originated just over ten years ago may come as a surprise to many. This development is only one example of a world industrializing at an unprecedented rate. Despite making communication and practically every other aspect of life easier, this revolution may not apply to all — the elderly, as you stated, are often not kept up to date to these new technologies. However, it must be noted that other adults may also not be kept up to date. I believe my parents are a prime example of this. They both immigrated to the United States in the 1980s and made a decent living running a restaurant. However, when it came time to digitalize, they struggled and required my older sister’s assistance to facilitate this new aspect of the business. Now that she’s off to college, it’s my turn to fulfill this position of filling out online documents and forms. This is a growing problem as it is a given that technology will only advance forward, regardless of whether there are those who are unable to utilize these new advantages. That is why I find programs like yours to be so fascinating and thoughtful. My mother has recently taken up taking computer classes, where she learns basic computer navigation skills. It is essential for the whole population to collectively adapt as a whole.

Alvin I appreciate the idea of showing seniors how to fill out forms online, and all of the elements involved in that process.

I certainly agree with Jordan that technology helps us stay connected. It is very important that we help the elderly members of the society on the use of technology. It is not easy to teach the older generation to use technology, as they are not quite familiar with it.

Moreover, I have also had a similar experience with my grandmother who just got a new iPhone and she did not know how to use it properly. Though she was able to make her daily phone calls and read her WhatsApp messages, she did not know how to access the Internet, do Face time and little other stuff. One day during the never-ending lockdown, I decided to teach my grandmother how to use her new phone. Since, she was having sleepless nights due to the change in her sleep cycle because of lockdown, I first taught her how to use YouTube so that she could put spiritual music on it and have good sleep. As days progressed I taught her how to access the daily news online, face timing, texting and many more things. This also gave me an opportunity to spend quality time with my grandmother, which I could not during my school days. My grandmother had a habit of doing all her office-work on paper so, later I started teaching her to use the laptop to check few mails and tally her accounts. This whole process not only helped her a great deal by making her work a lot easier, but also it helped me become more patient by answering the same quarries that she had again and again.

There have been vast advancements in technology over the years and it has helped us in many ways, such as online classes and courses, which are the most helpful things at the moment. By helping the elderly members of the society as to how technology can be used, bridges the generation gap and will help the society progress faster.

I’ve spent a lot of time helping relatives with technology and sometimes it can get very frustrating but I remember that they didn’t grow up with this like we did. So I am more patient and don’t get mad because I love my relatives. What Jordan is doing is really important, especially during this pandemic. The elderly are the most impacted in my opinion, because many of them lack technological experience. His Zoom meetings are a great idea though, keeping the elderly learning and up to date with technology so they can stay connected.

The younger generation is lucky. Since we were young, we have had access to electronic products. Elders often see their grandchildren typing like a speed of light with two thumbs on the keyboard or on the phone, while they themselves can only type letter by letter or word by word with their index fingers. Many elders have only had access to technologies in the past 15 to 20 years. We sometimes get annoyed when they want to learn how to use technology. But when thinking about our situations, aren’t we like them when we are trying to figure out how to solve a simple math question? We see the technologies are easy for us to learn and use, but the elders must take a long time to get used to using technologies.

The last time I saw my grandmother in person was five years ago, but we are able to FaceTime each other at least once a week. When I visited her in China five years ago, I saw her struggling to send a message on WeChat or even make a simple phone call. She would forget which group chat is which and would constantly send private messages in group chats with other family members in it. When I started teaching her how to use WeChat, I saw my grandma was listening to what I was saying very carefully. I taught her how to use WeChat for video calls, voice calls, and many other functions of the app. Later, she took her cellphone and just pressed on it casually trying to use the phone herself. This makes me think that the elders are still very curious to learn new things and look forward to more connections with others so as not to be disconnected from society.

Although she still struggles with using keyboards, my grandma has greatly increased her ability to use her phone. Now she is able to shop online and play simple games on her phone like mahjong and Candy Crush. She sends us many photos of places she has visited and writes that she wishes to take me on one of her trips. Communication is a bridge to build interpersonal relationships. From sharing feelings to expressing ideas, the world requires us to communicate with others. Not just through face-to-face communication, but also through technologies, we are able to share our feelings with others through a simple call or message. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we find communication important with family members or friends or co-workers through technologies. We have stayed home for more than one and a half months, and we would need to communicate with our parents almost every day and stay with them 24/7 face-to-face. We might not know how to have a conversation with them before, but with this pandemic, we might have no choice but to speak with them. We have learned that communicating with them is not as hard as we thought, and moreover, it is enjoyable to hear stories from our parents or other elders in the family. The elders are aging every day and we are growing up every day. It is hard for us to frequently see each other in real life, so technology is how we would connect and communicate with them.

What a sensational experience, Jordan! I enjoyed reading your stories, and I was astonished at how your involvement with elders related to mine.

As another member of Generation Z, technology and the rapid advancement of modern devices have always piqued my interest. Due to my eagerness, I grew up as a tech nerd, earning the title of “tech guy” in the family. “Alvin, why is my wifi not connecting?” “Alvin, what’s wrong with our TV?” “Alvin, why is my Bluetooth not connecting?” At least five times a day, I would hear such questions from my parents and brothers. From simple wifi connection problems to complicated home appliance control systems, I had to be present if the issues involved technology.

My title became significant as COVID invaded our lives. Similar to your experience, my grandparents struggled the most as the majority of platforms and services turned online. Since my grandparents were in a higher-risk group for exposure to COVID, they had to be extremely cautious. They could not go outside to get food or to their workplace. Whether they liked it or not, they had to stay home and adapt to online platforms to order food and attend Zoom meetings. And, as the “tech guy” of the family, I was responsible for providing comfort for my grandparents. Starting from scratch, I had to water down difficult technological terminologies such as Airdrop, iCloud, and Bluetooth to help them rapidly adapt to new lifestyles. Such experiences were similar to teaching elementary schoolers about calculus, in which I realized how uncomfortable it was for my grandparents to utilize new technologies. For instance, Bluetooth features offer wireless connections within the comfort of one’s own vicinity, which is one of the reasons why younger generations utilize Bluetooth: it provides comfort. On the other hand, older generations have an arduous time figuring out how to connect devices using Bluetooth since they are unfamiliar with such features. It is true that consumers are attracted to more comfortable features, and businesses provide new technologies that could reduce time management for consumers. However, it creates a downside for older generations, making them take longer to do something. While convenience for the younger generations increases with the use of technology, the older generations are having difficulty adapting to rapid technological advancement.

By observing the hardships of older generations from my grandparents’ perspective, I thought there was a need for action. Although there are various ways to address such issues, I focused on a fundamental need for everyone: food.

Therefore, I gathered up my close friends, Robert and Kaiden, who shared similar visions regarding this issue, and we came up with an accessible software that will make it approachable for elders to order food from nearby food centers. Essentially, our solution focused on a sustainable, healthy, and accessible approach that is similar to your experience helping elders order groceries. We developed a food ordering app that sends prepackaged, nutritious meals to seniors who sign up for it. Our sign-up system is very simple since it could be pre-installed on phones, involves one click of a button, and has well-explained and accessible payment methods; for example, this service allows the program to automatically extract money from the elder’s source of payment which minimizes the complicated process of payment process every. Ultimately, elders can readily receive healthy and hearty meals at their doorstep. We also utilized the Zoom recording function to create tutorials to help elders navigate through our process. These methods of solution could sound ironic at first, but I believe the most effective solution for elders who are uncomfortable with technology is to expose them to an extent of unfamiliarity to reduce their discomfort.

Like most other start-ups, our application lacks feasibility, so initially, we must test it on a small group of elders and make adjustments. If our test proves to be successful, we will launch our application, which will familiarize elders with technology and aid them in accepting and embracing modern devices. Moreover, I would like to expand this business into providing food and holding online classes about ordering goods, entertainment, media, and safe technology use for elders. I would happily like to share words with you about this matter, and I want to resemble your helping and enthusiastic attitude towards social advancement.

Wow! This is a really beautiful essay. It inspires me to see a fellow teenager making such a positive impact in the world today.

Technology is one of the major generational gaps we have today, and it is very refreshing and encouraging to see someone trying to bridge that gap. I love your teaching strategy of showing instead of just telling. That is truly one of the best ways to explain. You made an astounding impact in a dreary and challenging time for many. As someone who teaches children in a local orphanage home, I can relate to the indescribable feeling of joy you get when your student finally understands.

I will also like to place emphasis on not just teaching seniors how to navigate the internet, but also on teaching them how to be safe while navigating the internet! Cyber crimes are increasing in a very tremendous way all over the world, as more people look for illegal means to usurp unknowing people. This is one of the major fears of seniors and the older generation concerning technology. I believe that teaching them how to best stay safe in the ‘dangerous’ global world provided by the internet would not just be beneficial to them, but it would also help in further bridging the generational gap.

Chidera, your comment is one that caught my attention. Your comment highlights a crucial aspect of our society today: the technology generation gap. Most importantly, the issue of cyber crimes. Indeed, with the rapid advancement of technology, it becomes increasingly challenging for elderly to keep up. Even some of us from younger generations struggle with mastering the intricacies of various tools and software, like navigating Google spreadsheets.

But you draw attention to the pressing issue of cybersecurity and cybercrime, which poses a significant threat to people of all ages, including the elderly. Even myself, who is clearly not an elderly person, receives tons and tons of spam messages and emails trying to trick me of my money. While these scams may not work on us, they can be extremely tempting for the elderly, who may be more vulnerable to such tactics.

For example, my friend’s grandma was a victim to these scams, falling victim to a company promising to save money for her granddaughter’s college tuition fee. This just highlights your point on the emphasis and awareness that should be put on cyber crimes. It demonstrates how easily elderly individuals can be targeted and deceived and the urgency of addressing the dangers they face while navigating the Internet.

Likewise, in the effort to bridge the technology generation gap, I believe that it is crucial to not only teach the elderly how to use technology but also raise awareness to the public about the prevalence of cybercrime and the importance of robust cybersecurity. By empowering people of all ages with knowledge and strategies to protect themselves online, we can help them become more confident and secure users of digital tools.

I truly believe that with stronger cybersecurity implementation and the awareness we can teach people about, the challenges of cyber crimes is one we can focus less on. Allowing us to focus more on bridging this generational gap, being able to facetime our loved ones, and even send them cool gadgets.

I think this is an amazing and much needed program! People tend to alienate the elderly from our evolving world, waving them off as they say, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This is incredibly isolating and unfair to them. A month ago, I helped organize a ceremony for my high school, and many senior citizens came to support their grandchildren. The program for the ceremony was online, and I watched many of them struggle to scan a QR code. It was clear they were embarrassed, and they deserve to spend the day celebrating their family rather than feeling ashamed.

It’s also important to recognize that technology can help them stay busy. Many of the elderly cannot drive or live very far from their families. My grandparents live across the world in India. They are retired, and travel is very hard for them. They don’t typically have much to do, and they can get bored and demoralized. However, my grandpa stays busy and keeps his mind sharp by playing sudoku on his iPad. My grandma loves to play candy crush or call her relatives. Teaching the elderly how to use technology can be more helpful than most realize.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a great community service essay.

College Admissions , Extracurriculars

Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

• Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
• You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

• Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
• Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

• Length requirement
• Application deadline
• The main purpose or focus of the essay
• If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

• What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
• What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
• Why did you decide to begin community service?
• What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
• How has your community service changed you?
• How has your community service helped others?
• How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

• If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
• If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
• If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

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Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Curbing Elder Abuse and Neglect Essay

This paper reviews the specifications of senior citizens abuse. The contemporary evaluation studies of the elderly citizens’ emotional stability prove that there is a consistent percentage of offensive treatment towards the seniors both in the family environments and asylums. Thus, the old people are regularly abused by those individuals who are entitled to provide them with professional care. One differentiates different types of elderly abuse.

Specifically, such classes as physical and emotional abuse, neglect, financial, and sexual exploitation are recounted. The critical issue that disturbs the specialists is that some seniors do not evince any evident signs of offense. Therefore, it is often hard to identify. Today, the psychologists managed to outline some indicators of abuse. These are some alterations in the personal conduct of elderly people as well as a negative shift in relationships between a patient and a caregiver ( Elder abuse and neglect, 2014).

The medical care experts outline several reasons, according to which the population of seniors is viewed as abuse-prone. Mainly, it is acknowledged that such factors as carelessness, obvious provocation, and mute cooperation account for the creation of a favorable background for subsequent offenses.

Since the senior citizens are vulnerable to victimization, the factors of passive collaboration and carelessness define their lifestyles (Davis, Lurigio, & Herman, 2013). Thus, elderly people are the primary targets of offenders since they are not always able to protect themselves.

The complex measures have to be taken both on the local and global scales of community treatment, which would resolve the problem of elderly abuse. The most appropriate type of offense prevention is the appliance of reconciliation practices. Restorative acts underline the importance of bringing all the parties together with the aim of finding a common solution to a particular problem that is disrupting their well-being (Hurley, 2009).

Since the crisis of seniors’ treatment concerns all the sectors of the world community, the reconciliations have to be accomplished on the global scales. However, due to the contradictory character of restorative justice as well as a lack of consensus between the international and local community representatives, the mission of implementation is hard to carry out (Androff, 2012). Therefore, the practical evidence reveals that the world community has not come to a single compromise on the issue.

Covering the practices and cases of elderly abuse inflicts some harsh psychosocial and physical damage to the seniors’ health. For instance, one outlines such harmful physical consequences as soreness and pain, an increase of vulnerability to multiple diseases and complications, which might be adopted through sexually-transmitted illnesses, constant stresses, and evictions of depression as well as sleep disordering.

The follow-ups of psychological and mental damages may be revealed through the signs of helplessness, pessimism, and evident passivity, fear, and anxiety adoption ( Injury prevention & control: Division of violence prevention , 2011). The contemporary nursing specialists, as well as psychologists, implement some consistent prevention strategies that may hinder the occurrence rates of elderly abuse. Mainly, some professionals actively use such techniques as varied teaching, which helps the seniors to cope with their behavioral problems.

Moreover, the experts employ a sufficient dosage method, which accounts for the usage of the so-called communication contacts development. The strategy predetermines that the elderly people have to be constantly exposed to active associations, for it reduces the level of stress and anxiety.

Besides, the technique of positive relationships is often adopted. It aims at showing the patients that they live among amiable and friendly society members. The strategy particularly targets the relations between elderly parents and their children ( Elder abuse and neglect: In search of solutions , 2014).

Androff, D. (2012).Reconciliation in a community-based restorative justice intervention. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare , 39 (4), 73–96.

Davis, R., Lurigio, A., & Herman, S. (2013). Victims of crime . Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications.

Elder abuse and neglect . (2014). Web.

Elder abuse and neglect : In search of solutions . (2014). Web.

Hurley, M. (2009). Restorative practices in institutional settings and at release: Victim wrap around programs. Federal Probation , 73 (1), 16–22.

Injury prevention & control: Division of violence prevention. (2011). Web.

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IvyPanda. (2022, May 3). Curbing Elder Abuse and Neglect. https://ivypanda.com/essays/senior-citizens-abuse/

"Curbing Elder Abuse and Neglect." IvyPanda , 3 May 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/senior-citizens-abuse/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Curbing Elder Abuse and Neglect'. 3 May.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Curbing Elder Abuse and Neglect." May 3, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/senior-citizens-abuse/.

1. IvyPanda . "Curbing Elder Abuse and Neglect." May 3, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/senior-citizens-abuse/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Curbing Elder Abuse and Neglect." May 3, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/senior-citizens-abuse/.

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• Essay on Health

Free Essay On Senior Citizen

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Health , Interview , Sociology , Society , Family , Life , Elderly , Aging

Published: 02/08/2020

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Ideally, my interview with the 68 years old man was fruitful. I gathered quite a lot of information pertaining senior citizens in our society. It is therefore important to note that each of us is aging and there are a number of ways in which life will significantly change. Based on our interview, it is coherent to posit that the interviewee was very positive about life. From his facial expressions, you could note that he very much treasures his family which has always stood with him. He is very proud of his children who are now grown and independently working and living on their own. The interviewee lives life to the fullest and he so much adores all what he has acquired to this day. From the interview, I noticed that he is physically and mentally healthy and he values the well being of all persons in all walks of life. There is this one instance when he saved the life of a young girl who had been hit by a car. He narrated the story emotionally stating that he had literally been sent by God at that particular time to save the life of that dear girl. His response to this incident was very strong which portrays his great love for children and mankind in general. Certainly, there are responses from the interviewee that were amazing particular on the issue of learning. Unlike what most elderly people are accustomed to, learning to him is a noble thing and a lifestyle. He literally attends social classes where he learns about sociology in the society and various ways to bring cohesion among all social groups in the society. Most importantly his life is no different from that of a teenager; he enjoys walking, jogging in the morning when he wakes up and riding his bike. These activities have played a big role in building his physical and mental health. He claims that living healthy can be achieved by constantly focusing on only that which builds once overall health. That is his secret of keeping the doctor away (McMurray, 2011, p. 112). Healthy aging in this context is evidently portrayed by his positive attitude towards life. He is able to adjust to the limitations and changes that come with aging. For instance, his involvement in various local programs and forums portrays his good attitude towards life. To add to that, he attends classes that help build his esteem and also help him maintain good relationships with his family and lifelong friends. Critically, I would posit that the interviewer is on the right track and doing very well. The fact that he is able to socialize with his peers very well is commendable. Arguably, it is imperative to note that he owns a house and two cars; a station wagon that is driven by his wife and a truck which he drives, he is therefore financially stable which enables him to attend classes and participate in various social forums. Participating in social activities like playing golf and badminton in the society is very impressive of the interviewee; this is because interacting with other elderly peers helps him relate well and acquire other relevant skills which he may need in life. Unlike many aged people suffering from social isolation and discrimination, it is a different case for him. He has been lucky enough to prioritize this prevention by living healthy and engaging himself in meaningful activities. Additionally, he has taken the initiative of ensuring his personal growth and that of his family. Volunteering in social forums aimed at developing the community is majorly significant in his life. Subsequently, maintaining a healthy life has been triggered by environmental and socioeconomic factors. His adoption of a healthy life has helped him prevent chronic diseases that mostly affect people in their old age. Based on what I gathered from the interviewee, there are a number of areas that he can possibly improve on to attain a balanced healthy aging life. To start with, he should engage in a balanced fitness like aerobics that particularly helps the elderly in increasing flexibility, increased cardiovascular endurances and also increased strength. Mutual aid is also equally important in enhancing a reciprocal process across all generations. It therefore is an important consideration that could assist in bonding the gap between the elderly and the young in the society. Similarly, if he gets more cultural and gender responsive information, he will be in a good position to learn more activities such as home exercise dancing that may enable him to actively participate with peers in different age groups with confidence and pleasure (Human, 2009, p. 450). Based on this context, determinants of healthy aging vary with the interests of the involved victim although there are scenarios where same interests are common to all. Living healthy entails a number of things: eating healthy is a fundamental consideration to the aging group. Exercising regularly is very helpful in enhancing physical, psychological and social growth among the aging group. Consequently, having a positive attitude towards life is a huge determinant of healthy aging. As a final point, I would like to posit that growth, development and aging are correlated and are affected by similar factors. Therefore, it is important to note that healthy aging can only be achieved if one focuses on meaningful ways to enhance proper growth.

McMurray, A., & Clendon, J. (2011). Community health and wellness: Primary health care in practice. Chatswood, N.S.W: Elsevier Australia. Human Kinetics (Organization). (2009). Health and wellness for life. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

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Calling All Senior Citizen Writers

Calling all Retirement and Senior Citizens Writers!

Page Turner Awards is inviting aspiring writers and budding authors in the retirement and senior citizens community to join their community of writers and get involved in the Page Turner Awards.

The Page Turner Awards, sponsored by ProWritingAid, is an inclusive writing and book awards with one goal — to change the lives of as many writers as possible. The Page Turner Awards passionately believes that talented writers can be from any background, age, race, religion, or interest.

Senior citizens community contain talented writers and undiscovered literary gems. Whether you have a self-help guide explaining how to make the most of your retirement, a gasp-inducing thriller, or the next-big-thing comedy, Page Turner Awards can’t wait to pass your story to their panel of influential literary agents, publishers and film producers.

Perhaps you have a heart-warming story to share about the interlinked lives and experiences of interesting people, like we see in the fantastic and hugely successful The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Or maybe you have a comedy you’d like to share? Think Dirty Grandpa with Robert De Niro and Zac Efron.

Or, if you have a story for younger audiences, you might have been inspired by stories like Disney’s Up, and written your own story about pursuing a loved one’s dreams.

The inaugural Page Turner Awards was a huge success in terms of how many lives it changed.

Success stories include three writers winning literary representation, six writers winning a writing mentorship, five writers winning a publishing contract and 13 independent authors winning an audiobook production.

The Page Turner Awards gives writers and authors the chance to enter unpublished or published fiction and non-fiction and screenplays to be read by a carefully curated judging panel made up of influential players in the publishing industry. Prizes span everything from mentorships to audiobook production, publishing packages and film rights options.

Founder of Page Turner Awards and award-winning novelist, Paula Wynne said: “There are writers from all walks of life, from manual labourers to academics, all with stories to tell, and most of them heart-warming and moving. We’re proud that our awards celebrate excellent writing and help writers and authors to get their stories discovered.”

There is no doubt that members of senior citizens community, with their unique life experiences, will have some excellent and fascinating stories to share. Submissions open every year in January and close in June of the same year.

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