What do Betty White, Tony Bennett, Judi Dench and Morgan Freeman have in common?
Although they are well into their golden years, they’re working hard, earning accolades, pursuing talents and interests that they love, and proving without question that those years are indeed golden.
These constantly evolving seniors are, as a result of their behavior, completely obliterating any preconceived notion or stereotype of what older adults are interested in, capable of, and successful at doing.
Truth be told, not only are there significant numbers of older adults who keep doing what they love, but there are also impressive numbers who get a late start trying, and are thus accomplishing great new things. Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t write and publish her Little House on the Prairie series until she was in her 60s. Roget’s Thesaurus was written by Mark Roget, a retired doctor, lecturer and inventor when he was 61, and not published until he was 73. Gladys Burrill had already been an aircraft pilot, mountain climber, hiker and horseback rider when she ran her first marathon at the age of 92. Benjamin Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence when he was 70. The list goes on and on.
See a common thread here? Dreams, interests and learning need not have an age limit. And in fact, in our retirement years, we’re afforded more time, freedom and opportunity to grow, learn and explore.
At GreenFields, we don’t have to look far to find our own sources of senior inspiration. In fact, we’re constantly surrounded by them. Take for instance, resident Tom Dearing who holds and performs in a monthly bluegrass jam. Or Don Peck, who is teaching residents a variety of subjects including, but not limited to genealogy. Or our very active veterans group. There are many more stories like these within our odors.
Furthermore, we’re consistently presented with new and really exciting opportunities. Recently, a group of residents went snow-tubing . Wow-was that fun! And the lifestyles team has created a fabulous series of virtual, interactive visits to world-class destinations including the Great Barrier Reef and an elephant sanctuary.
So now that I’m settled into my new home at GreenFields, I’m looking forward to what is clearly the next chapter in my life…it’s going to be a good one!
