Retirees Redefine The Golden Years (NAPSA)}—Skydiving maynot be the first thing you think of when you considerlife in a retirement community, but for a growing number of seniors, it’s an example of the type of activity that helps keep them feeling young, purposeful, and living an Optimum Life. “This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life so far,” said 84-year-old Jean Pettit after jumping out of a plane and being greeted by a host of applauding friends and family on the ground. “The only thing to top the skydive would be to take a trip to the moon.” Pettit is part of a growing number of seniors wholive in retirement communities focused on “whole-person wellness” obtained through what geriatrician Dr. Kevin O’Neil describes as fulfillment in physical, emotional, pur- poseful, social, spiritual and intel- lectual dimensions. “We know that fulfillment in these aspects of life is a more potent predictor of longevity than one’s age or medical condition,” he explains. In Pettit’s case, that focus on wellness meantfulfilling a longtime dream to leap from an airplane. For other seniors, such as Alfred Bouey, it meant experiencing American history as it unfolded. “T felt born again,” says Bouey, the grandson of slaves, upon attending the inauguration of President Obama in Washington, D.C. “T never dreamt I would be having one of the most exciting experiences of mylife at 84 years old.” Both Bouey and Pettit partici- pated in the “Experiencesof a Life- time” program, offered to residents at selected Brookdale Senior Living Skydiving 84-year-old Jean Pettit is among a growing number of seniors whosay ageis just a number. communities nationwide. Dr. O’Neil says the program is a key part of the community’s Optimum Life phi- losophy, and a driving force behind many seniors leaving the home environmentfor communityliving. “Today’s senior communities offer opportunities for physical activity, social engagement and emotional support that may be more easily accessible than in a home environment,” he explains. “They are much more active and fulfilling than what manyinitially expect.” Other participants in the program have journeyed to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., taken a hot-air balloon ride, and cruised the roadwaysin a yellow Corvette. Dr. O’Neil explains that while the specific activities may differ, they share a common theme: fulfillment. “This is further proof that an older person can still dream and do many things,” says the skydiving Pettit. For more information, visit www.brookdaleliving.com.
