Since 1986, Alberta has marked this week in June to show appreciation to older adults and their contributions to the community. This year’s theme is Aging is more… and centres on events and initiatives fostering positive attitudes about aging.

At United Active Living, every week is Seniors’ Week. United’s communities were created to celebrate seniors by offering programming, partnerships, and experiences that empower seniors to explore their hobbies, find new firsts, and make meaningful connections.

As we kickoff the festivities, we’re sharing 10 things you can do to celebrate the seniors in your life every day.

• Break out the photo album
  Pulling out old photos is a great way to reminisce and share a legacy. You may learn some interesting facts about your family genealogy and history — or maybe even solve an age-old family mystery! For many, reminiscing is a tool to help a loved one reconnect with themselves and each other.
• Write a memoir together
  If you already have the photo albums out, this is a great opportunity to connect even further and record the stories attached to the photos in your loved one’s own words. If you’re not sure where to start, record a video, or use a DIY journal for inspiration. New products like Storyworth offer unique tools to help document the stories of your loves ones.
• Learn something new
  Seniors are a wealth of knowledge and are happy to share their wisdom. Whether it’s a long-standing family recipe, a woodworking technique, a hidden stitch, or even the history of cardboard boxes — passing knowledge down can uphold long-held family traditions, or inspire the start of new ones.

• Find a new first together
  When’s the last time you did something for the first time? Finding a new first can happen at any age — take a class or follow an online tutorial together — bonus points if it’s something that involves a little mess and a lot of laughter!
• Get the kids involved
  Speaking of laughter, there are tremendous benefits to fostering intergenerational connections. Kids, young adults, and seniors have more in common than you’d think — and getting them together can spark opportunities for lifelong learning, new experiences, and establish special connections across generations.
• Discover shared interests
  If you enjoy the theatre, golf, art galleries, music or culinary experiences, chances are there’s a senior in your life who does too. Partnering up to share a common interest can bring you together, even if it’s commiserating over golf

• Get active
  There’s a million and one ways to get moving and seniors, in particular, see tremendous benefits to maintaining an active lifestyle — finding an enjoyable activity to do together does wonders for both the mind and body. Looking for inspiration? Check out the active living Senior’s Week events listed here.
• Channel your inner artists
  Picasso had to start somewhere — and an art class is a great start! Even if your first few paintings end up stuffed in the back of the closet, you may discover a hidden talent, and eventually create a display-worthy collection.
• Get involved
  If there’s something Calgarians excel at, it’s community building. If you want to support seniors in Calgary, getting involved with senior serving organizations such as the Kerby Centre, Lifelong Learners, or the FLC Seniors Club may be a rewarding way to give back.
• Be tourists, together
  The City of Calgary has sponsored a series of events to celebrate Seniors’ week, and they are sure to delight people of all ages — click here to see the seniors’ week schedule. Local organizations such as the Calgary Philharmonic, Mount Royal University, St. Mary’s University, Lunchbox Theatre and many more offer accessible experiences that can be enjoyed by all.
  
  This year, United Active Living celebrates as presenting sponsor of Seniors’ Week at the Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo. Seniors receive an additional 20% off daily admission through the week. Get out there and explore the city…together!

The common thread

No matter how you choose to connect with the older adult in your life, the common theme throughout the list is time — by far the most precious gift of all. Something as simple as sitting down for a coffee or making a phone call can give the senior in your life a spark of joy to carry throughout their day— every day.

From all of us at United Active Living — Happy Seniors’ Week!