EAST LANSING, Michigan — Next Wednesday, August 21, is National Senior Citizens Day – a day to honor and celebrate the invaluable contributions of our senior community. They are more than just a generation; they are our good neighbors and worth celebrating. Just ask Linda Foster, an East Lansing resident who lives life to the fullest.
“This is called ‘Top of the Rock’ and we party there every Friday night!”
Bob Hoffman
Linda and her husband Ed prove that life doesn’t slow down in your mid-eighties.
“I turned 85 last month and she turned 85 in February,” says Ed.
“He always says he married an older woman,” Linda adds.
Ed replies, “She robbed the cradle.”
The Fosters moved to Burcham Hills Senior Living in East Lansing last year and are thriving there!
Bob Hoffman
You’re not alone. A 2022 study by National Geographic and AARP found that overall happiness tends to increase with age, especially after age 70.
The survey of 2,580 U.S. adults found that older people are aware of the challenges of aging but worry less about them as they get older.
34 percent of those over 80 and 27 percent of those over 70 describe themselves as “very happy,” compared to 21 percent of those over 60, 18 percent of those over 50 and 16 percent of those over 40.
“I had a friend who lived to be 106,” Linda says. “She told me, and I agree, that a lot of it is about attitude. You can achieve a lot more than you think, and you just shouldn’t give up.”
Ed believes age is just a number.
Bob Hoffman
“I would say the most important thing is to stay active and keep your mind active by doing things that you keep doing. Keep going.”
Dick West, 87, also calls Burcham Hills home. It wasn’t an easy decision to leave the house he had lived in for 50 years, but he knew he needed more help.
Bob Hoffman
“I thought that when you get older you’re finished, but you’re not finished yet,” says Dick. “Life begins when you get older. For me, health is the most important thing.”
Dick remains very busy, serving on three committees in Burcham Hills and being active in the community.
The National Geographic/AARP study also found that friends, family and community are key factors for happiness. Dick agrees.
“It’s better than sitting at home and staring at four walls. You have something to do every day. When you wake up, it’s a new day. And as my daughters say: take each day at a time, each day at a time, and that’s exactly what I’m doing, and I’m enjoying it.”
Ed adds: “For me, being old is not really old. If you had asked me 20 years ago if I would live to be 85, I probably wouldn’t have answered that. But I will live to be 15 years old!”
And that is the spirit of a good neighbor – to share life, joy and wisdom at every age. Let’s celebrate the vibrant lives of our older neighbors who are this week’s Good Neighbors.
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