Growing Older - Part 1

I read a fascinating article about how the average American is “growing older” in a magazine while waiting for my dentist to see me. What I enjoyed was the positive message of the author. Yes, Thelma and I are both octogenarians and that is why I am sending this blog.

 

Senior citizens, particularly those in their eighties and nineties, are very important and must be treated as your most important customers. Where Thelma and I live in Florida, it appears that the number of these senior citizens is growing.

 

We attended a revival of “Ain’t Misbehaving” and it appeared that the average age of the attendee was well over 65. The theatre had a sold out sign on the door. What a thrill it was to be part if this audience. If you could see the large number of walkers, scooters and wheelchairs stacked up, you too, would have been thrilled.

 

Then, at the Cocoa Village Playhouse, we saw a performance of “The Music Man” and a similar number of elderly people attended another sold out show. Senior citizens do not only sit in front of their TV or computer!

 

The senior citizens today seek every opportunity to attend a performance, whether it is a play, an orchestra, chamber music, or dance. Most of my peers have sufficient discretionary dollars and want to spend them for comfort items and entertainment.

 

A local dealer holds a special “senior citizen” open house periodically in his showroom. He has made arrangements with nurses, PTs, OTs, local physicians and dietitians who speak about what senior citizens can do to protect themselves and stay comfortable. He invites his vendors to demonstrate their comfort items. This has been a most successful program. The thanks and new business just keeps growing for him.

 

So treat the growing older community with great care and courtesy and become a gathering place for them to meet! Cater to them!