This year, Senior Citizens Day will be celebrated on Aug. 21, a day that recognizes the contributions of senior citizens. Maybe now is the time to contemplate who are our senior citizens? Ironically, it has been stated that at this moment in time you are as old as you ever were; however, more interesting, as young as you will ever be.

When it comes to the fact that people are living longer, we are now considering that 90 may be the new 70. Ironically, Frank Sinatra once sang about living “to a hundred and five.” There is research currently being conducted that suggests now may be the time to start preparing to live to 150.

This premise is based upon advancements for treating and preventing diseases and injuries while allowing natural aging to extend life through a normal process. There are indications that the person who will live to the age of 150 might be alive today. The future will determine if this person is currently 1 — or 100 — or an age in between.

Presently, most of the concern about the growth in population over 65 has focused mainly on care for the elderly. This percentage of the population is increasing dramatically and will eventually become the majority of the shoppers, voters and drivers. Magazines for senior citizens will have wide circulation. Seniors will be high users of smart phones and other technical devices. There will be a greater need for special parking spots. The possibility of seniors having to give up their cherished right to drive could be modified as there might just be a perfect match between the aging population and self-driving vehicles.

However, there is more to this dilemma than meets the eye. When a group starts to discuss the possibility of the ever-increasing senior demographics, the question boils down to how will these mature individuals stay active? Will they travel more, socialize more, consume more, etc.? Will the special discount rates and perks for seniors be reexamined and age-tiered? Will there be a need for more one-story buildings or more elevators? Will downsizing take on another meaning, where if you wait long enough your wardrobe comes back into style?

There certainly will be a movement to take better care of our minds and bodies. As our teeth may now have to provide us over 100 years of service, we will certainly need to practice better dental hygiene.

What does this all mean and how do we prepare or plan for those who will be active until age 150 or longer? What will these new centenarians do? Will they work longer? Where will they live? Will it be rural, urban, suburban or senior-urban?

This will lead to an increase in existing generations with great-great-great-great-grandparents/grandchildren. Another scenario recently expressed is the possibility of a 150-year-old couple having their 125-year-old child move back in with them. There seems to be many questions with not many answers.

When considering these countless aspects of aging, it is critical that the infrastructure of society maintains pace with the aging population and that the older generations be heard loud and clear.

Sammamish resident Larry Crandall is a retired educator and serves on the city’s Planning Commission.