Aging Well: Words of Wisdom for Making Your Senior Years the Best They Can Be

Aging is an inevitable phase of life we will all encounter.

Let's face it: aging is an inevitable phase of life we will all encounter. Every day I am reminded of the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes that take place as individuals advance in age.

When I first began my career at Highland Hills Village, I was immediately amazed by the varied stages of age and ability that I encountered. For example, some of the residents are quite active. Some of them are outside walking at a brisk pace early every morning. Some of them sleep in and then walk in the evenings. Some of them participate religiously in the exercise classes offered at our community. But all of these residents exercise every day.

I once asked a 96-year-old resident, "To what do you attribute your age and vitality?" She quickly answered, "Dear girl, if you want to live to be my age and feel as good as I do, you must do two things every single day: walk one mile every morning and drink one glass of wine every evening." After we had a little chuckle together, I thought to myself, "What simple advice from someone who's living their best life even at her very ripe age."

On the other hand, there are those residents who, by their own choosing, are more reclusive and live a less active, even solitary existence. These are the residents who rarely come out of their apartments – and usually only do so late in the day when they come out at all – and who must be gently coaxed to participate in our community activities. These are the residents who perhaps need the most encouragement, even though they'd probably never admit to it.

One day I asked one of these particularly quiet residents why he so rarely ventured out of his apartment. He said to me, "I've worked long hours all of my life at very stressful jobs, and sometimes multiple jobs, to provide for my family. It's time for me to put my feet up and enjoy the peace and quiet." I thought to myself, "You've earned that quiet life. Enjoy it!"

As varied as the daily habits and lifestyles of our residents may be, there is one common thread amongst them: they want to be acknowledged, heard, and appreciated. Time is so precious to them, and any moment given to them and spent with them to listen, to laugh, to reminisce, to cry, and to acknowledge is very meaningful. Nearly every day a resident approaches my desk with a story about their childhood, a replay of their day's activities, a humble boast about their grandchild, or maybe a quick report about their ongoing health issues. And all they ask is that I listen and engage with them.

So, in closing, when asked what I see as most beneficial to the elderly community, my answer is time. Just take a moment to hold a hand, listen, give a needed hug, pray with them, share a laugh, ask about their day, or give a simple hello.

I recently saw a quote by Miya Yamanouchi which, even though quite simple, spoke volumes to me: “We can all make a difference in the lives of others in need, because it is the most simple of gestures that make the most significant of differences.”

I count it all joy to invest my time in these precious souls every day and hopefully make a difference in their lives.

Beth Dillard

Front Office Coordinator


St. Mary’s Highland Hills Village