Take a few minutes today to let an older person in your life, such as a parent, grandmother, or family friend, know that you appreciate them.

Thursday, August 21, is National Senior Citizens’ Day.

President Ronald Reagan set aside this day back in 1988 to raise awareness about issues that effect senior citizens and to honor their achievements.

Celebrating that special someone is as easy as a phone call.

“Life is busy for all of us. So, take the time today to call that loved one in your life, whether it’s a grandparent, a neighbor, someone at church, and just let them know how much they mean to you and how much their contributions really matter,” said Stacey Malcolmson, president and CEO of The Senior Source, a nonprofit in Dallas.

Malcolmson says once you make that call today, keep it on your calendar and check in regularly. It creates a connection and can uncover something that could be wrong.

“So often, older adults are forgotten, and in fact 40% suffer from loneliness, isolation, and depression, and we actually know that social isolation can be as dangerous to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” Malcolmson said.

Offering to help is another suggestion.

“So often, older adults have spent a lifetime not asking for help, doing everything on their own. They’re independent, they don’t want it, but small gestures such as running an errand, doing yard work,” Malcolmson said. “Organizing around the house can make such a difference to them, and it helps them, and it also helps you just have that sense of purpose.”

And, she says, spend quality time with an older loved one. She recommends volunteering together.

“There are plenty of volunteer opportunities that are appealing to all generations. At The Senior Resource Center, we have a friendly visitor program where we pair groups of volunteers with nursing homes. And, we we know that those residents, 50% of them never receive a visitor,” Malcolmson said. “So that quality time at a nursing home, playing bingo, decorating rooms, just saying hello can really brighten their day.”