Aging Well in All Its Vibrancy BY ALLYN RIPPIN
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t’s late morning on a Tuesday at the Center for Active Living, and there is vibrancy in the air. A group of singers board the bus to share their voices in the community. The Freestyle Dance class is warming up with some new choreography and a bass line from a new song, Senorita, pulses down the hallway. In the library, a member quietly reads a book, while in the gym a physical therapist assists a client. There is fresh produce up for grabs in the dining room and I hear the familiar sound of the bingo wheel. At the corner table I notice one of our clients has returned after a few weeks at home. She is back in good spirits, laughing with friends, still that twinkle in her eye.
6 I CO NN E C T I ON S / W H AT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I WINTER 2019
These are my favorite days here, when activity and life brim from every corner. On days like today, I feel as though I’m viewing humanity through a kaleidoscope with all its changing shapes, patterns and colors. The rooms come alive as people pursue life in a way that is most meaningful for them. Four years ago, when I first joined ACCA as its Center for Active Living director, I had a rather monochromatic view of what “aging well” could look like. As a youngster in her early 40s, I saw “successful aging” as somehow achieving perfect health, healthy finances and the freedom to do and travel as I pleased. In fact, aging was something to resist. “You don’t look your age!” meant I was doing aging right. Like many people, my beliefs around aging were shaped by the stories we see on the news – an
extraordinary senior jumping out of an airplane on his 90th birthday or seniors portrayed as weak and frail. While both scenarios are certainly possible, rarely do we see the whole story. In truth, in between the antiaging serums and images of “super grannies”, most of us are aging as we are, where we are, with what we have – and, yes, often beyond what is expected. For those of us who work with older adults each day, we know aging well can look different for each person. There is no one-size-fits-all – just a spectrum of possibilities. Take for instance the volunteer who dedicates one day a week to deliver meals to the homebound; or a member who signs up for a technology class, determined to keep up with his grandkids; or a client with dementia who still loves to get up and dance. While society sets limits on how we “should” age, our water cooler conversations revolve around ways we can challenge these norms. How can we define “Aging Well” in a way that is more generous and inclusive -- one that acknowledges life’s ups and downs? One that honors each person’s stories, abilities and desires for a good life? This spirit of inclusiveness is reflected not only in the broad spectrum of services and programs we offer at ACCA, but in the diverse populations we serve. Whether our clients arrive with walkers or yoga mats, whether they seek to lend a hand or gratefully receive one, everyone is invited to age in a way that speaks to them. So, how do we support this? We do it by providing basic resources and opportunities for personal fulfillment. We celebrate cultural differences and encourage personal choice. We stand in the gap when things get hard and celebrate even the small wins. Each person relies on different things to navigate life – faith, family, outside resources, inner reserves, each other. For all our differences, though, what stands out to me most is the common ground we do share. Thanks to growing research, we are discovering the key ingredients to successful aging. Diet and nutrition are one, but also living in purpose, staying active, and a sense of belonging all come to mind. Science gives us basic instructions in how to take care of mind, body and spirit, but the real art of aging lies in how each of us chooses to fulfill them.
Adapting to Change Each day I witness the triumph of the human spirit whenever a client walks through the door. For some, the path has not been easy, but they meet challenges, make adjustments and keep moving forward. They don’t let their limits limit them. There are times, however, when we need help adjusting to life’s twists and turns. Change is an inevitable part of life – perhaps someone has lost the freedom to drive or moved to a new town or received news from the doctor. The question becomes, what’s next? Helping people adapt and move forward is a big part of our mission at ACCA, and we do that by empowering them with skills, information, access and opportunity. Retirement is one of those changes that can be filled with uncertainty. “The thought is at a certain age you go away and you’re done,” says Michael Ash, Director of our Senior Community Service Employment Program who helps clients gain skills for employment. “Instead, we say, ‘What’s the opportunity? What can you do now?’” Likewise, physical and cognitive limitations don’t have to limit quality of life. “Our role is to help people age well within the parameters of the challenges they are facing,” says Robin Lacrimosa, director of our Adult Day Health (ADH) programs. While most of her clients are nursing home eligible, the room is often filled with music, dancing, smiles, and someone lending a helping hand. “We make it the best day possible for each person whatever that looks like for them.” Embracing Interdependence At the heart of what we do is to create opportunities for people to connect. While culture and society place high value on staying independent, in truth, we need one another to thrive. There is a word for this interdependence – and it means we are inextricably connected to one another. We see numerous examples of mutually enriching relationships in programs such as Senior Companion, Lunch Buddy and Meals on Wheels. Volunteers tell us they find meaning and purpose through their service, while clients express gratitude for the meal and new friendships. “I feel
Science gives us basic instructions in how to take care of mind, body and spirit, but the real art of aging lies in how each of us chooses to fulfill them. WINTER 2019 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 7