Local Octogenarians Prime Examples of Active Aging


Neighbor Newspapers Sept. 24, 2014

By Nicole Dow

At left: Lenbrook resident Cecile Hooks dances with instructor Joe LoCurto, owner of Academy Ballroom in Buckhead, during the ballroom dance class at the senior living community.

With weekly fitness classes, art lessons, teaching a Bible study class and editing a monthly newsletter, 85-year-old Cecile Hooks keeps a busy schedule.

“It’s the only way I know to live,” said the resident of Lenbrook, a Buckhead retirement community. “I’ve always been active and just never quit.”

Lenbrook offers a variety of regular activities for its residents, which Hooks said she appreciates. It keeps her more active than if she lived at home by herself, she said. Ballroom dancing is among Hooks’ favorite things to do.

“I did not dance as a young person,” she said. “I really didn’t dance seriously until I came to Lenbrook [about 13 years ago]. By now, I’m a fairly good dancer.”

This week — through Saturday — marks Active Aging Week, which is led by the International Council on Active Aging. However, Lenbrook promotes active aging throughout the entire year.

“I don’t want to say that active aging is only for people who are senior citizens,” said Lisa Kiely, director of enrichment. “Active aging and positive aging are for people of all ages. But most important to me, as an advocate of this population, is the seniors’ connection — that they have an interaction, a voice and a presence in the world, both within the walls of Lenbrook and the greater community of Atlanta.”

The definition of the active aging lifestyle has evolved over the years, she said, and now focuses on seven key dimensions of wellness — physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, vocational, emotional and environmental. To celebrate Active Aging Week, the retirement community will host special events for residents including tango dancing, a cookout, an off-campus walk, an interactive art project and an arts festival.

Lenbrook resident Louis Hiett, 88, said he has stayed active since retiring from Procter & Gamble in 1985.

“The fact that you may have more years chronologically doesn’t mean that you need to stop or even slow down very much,” he said. “Just keep doing things that are of interest, things that cause you to think and, importantly, things that cause you to keep in motion. I think to remain active physically is very important.”

Hiett said at age 75, he was installing roofing and sheetrock for Habitat for Humanity homes in Arizona. When he was 80, he and his wife received training to become pharmacy technicians in order to do volunteer work at a free clinic in Virginia.

About a year and a half ago, Hiett helped start the Lenbrook Forum, which includes programs for residents such as a video lecture series, a speakers series, monthly book review discussions and small discussion groups.

“I think keeping busy and continuing to learn is so important,” he said.

Hiett also works out weekly at Lenbrook’s weight room and fitness center, delivers food to others through Meals on Wheels, plays bridge and travels.