IS ENOUGH ENOUGH ?

Should we compare our lives, or just live them?

When Apple’s Steve Jobs died last month, the accolades predictably poured in. Jobs was called “visionary,” “brilliant” and a “genius” by those who knew him as well as those who did not. His impact on our lives was debated and discussed, with the general consensus that without Jobs, our lives would be somewhat less than they are today.

Jobs was hailed as someone who truly made a difference in others’ lives, and in his case, he made a difference in so many peoples’ lives that it seemed to validate the idea that his was a life well-lived.

In a way, his life has become a kind of ideal, a measuring stick for the rest of us slogging along life’s pothole-filled highway.

In this same context, our youngest son has been completing college entrance applications, most of which require applicants to answer an essay question or two or three to demonstrate why he should be admitted to the school. What’s unspoken is that our son’s essay, test scores and recommendations will be measured and judged against all comers; some will win the golden key, many more will walk away with something other than what they wanted.

One of the essays our son wrote talked about his interest in “making his mark” in the world, his desire to become wellknown and well-respected for accomplishing something with his life.

As I read his comments, and as I thought about Jobs’ life, I was struck with a deceptively simple thought: How much of a positive impact do we need to have on others so that we are judged to have “made our mark” and lived a worthwhile life?

Clearly, Jobs was a once-in-a-generation talent. His zeal for perfection and his sense of design made him and his products household names throughout the world.

Meanwhile, our son is just getting started in the life-building business. He has desire, tools and personality, but what are the odds that when all is said and done, he — or any of the rest of us, for that matter — will be judged equal to or greater than Steve Jobs? More to the point, how close do we have to come to that ideal — assuming Jobs and his life are ideals — to be judged “successful” when the final bell is rung?

At this point in his life, our son isn’t burdened much by comparisons or equivocations. His life is in front of him, and he has no reason to worry about limitations or road blocks or measuring up to anyone else.

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The hyper-involved senior citizens we’ve written about in this month’s magazine are at the other end of that life scale — they’ve lived a good portion of their lives, and they’re still active, still involved and still impacting others. Collectively, they’re volunteering at a clip that belies their age and puts many of us to shame.

But there’s still that question nagging at me.

Do they, or do we, need to measure up to Jobs to be deemed “successful” when all is said and done?

It’s an interesting point to consider, when we run out of other things to worry about: In life, how much is enough?

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Aging in Place (AIP) and Accessibility Changes for Your Home What you need to know…

During the holiday season, it’s common to experience accessibility and safety challenges in our homes that affect our guests, and even residents. Now is a great time to begin thinking long-term about accommodating the changing needs of the people who live in and visit your home. Creating the right environment requires what’s known as an Aging in Place (AIP) plan.

for AIP Clients

The possibilities for AIP modifications are infinite. An experienced remodeler can assess your particular needs and offer a variety of solutions to accommodate them. Here are some of the most common AIP modifications:

Accessibility

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Depending on the health and physical ability of residents and visitors, you may need to widen doorways for more clearance, eliminate steps for wheelchair accessibility and maneuverability, and possibly install a ramp. Vertical lifts, platform lifts, chair lifts and residential elevators can make two-story homes more accessible. Slippery surfaces can be changed to textured, non-slip surfaces that are easier to maintain, and the garage can be renovated for better maneuverability.

Bathrooms and Kitchens

To improve maneuverability in the bathroom, space can be expanded, bath and shower grab bars installed, and specially designed bathing facilities can replace standard units. In the kitchen, the workflow design can be improved, counter top heights may need to be lowered, and cabinetry can be redesigned to make the area more user-friendly. Entry to the kitchen may need to be widened and ramps can replace single steps.

Around the house, contrasting colors can be used to show subtle differentiations in level changes, edges, hot, cold, or danger. The HVAC system can be modernized to make controls easier to use and filters easier to maintain. The electrical system and lighting can be revised to address the new requirements of other AIP renovations around the house.

Who Can Help?

Look for the (CAPS) Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist designation, which indicates specific training in the needs of aging adults and the disabled, AIP modifications, and solutions to common problems. CAPS professionals have training in the strategies for designing and building aesthetically enriching, barrier-free living environments.

We’re especially happy to take your calls early on – to ensure you stay in your home and remain our friend and neighbor for many holiday seasons to come. by: Alan Margulis

Questions about AIP? Call us!

Q&A: John Reeg

Gym rats undoubtedly have seen this fit, no-nonsense 62-year old spotting 20- to 40-somethings in the weight room at the Skillman LA Fitness, where his personal-training appointment book is maxed out. But outside the health club, John Reeg takes a special interest in older clients. For four years, the former Marine and Vietnam veteran has worked as a part-time fitness consultant at neighborhood retirement centers, and about a year ago he started Silver Star Fitness, an in-home personal training program for seniors.

A staunch advocate of exercise for all, Reeg believes regular training is especially important as one ages. He calls exercise “a magic pill” and a source of both physical and mental power.

What did you have in mind when you launched Silver Star Fitness?

Later in my career, I wound up working in sales, which didn’t last long. I decided I wanted to do something else. I tried to start a staffing company for veterans. This was a needed service — at one time I had 500 résumés on my desk — but I soon ran out of money. “This isn’t working,” I told myself. “What am I going to do?” My focus returned to fitness, something that had always been a big part of my life. I realized there was a large Baby Boomer population, many of whom don’t really enjoy the health club scene. I felt there was a niche to fill in helping this age group get into shape.

Why is it important for older adults to exercise?

That’s a question with a big answer, because exercise is like a magic pill. You don’t have to hang out at the gym all day or go to extremes. You just have to find something relatively fun that you will do regularly, and the benefits are so vast. We have known for some time that exercise makes us stronger, controls weight, improves mobility, digestion, sleep, increases energy, improves the libido and a list of other physical things, but recent studies prove that it also affects mental and emotional health — it decreases anxiety and enhances brain function. Exercise is not about vanity or looks as we age, but quality of life. Dr. Frank Marcola said it well: “Long after you stop worrying about what you look like in a bathing suit, your commitment to regular physical activity will show in your quick wit and mental acuity.”

How do you know so much about this stuff?

I have always been into athletics. In my younger years I was in traditional sports — a little football because I grew up in Indiana. Joined the Marines, where you definitely are required to get in shape, and in college I really became interested in gymnastics — saw these guys flipping around and thought, “That looks like fun.” I was a gymnast at Ball State University in Indiana and later opened a gym and trained gymnasts. I taught physical education in public schools for 23 years, too. I have a BS [bachelor of science] in health, physical education and recreation; Cooper Institute certifications in personal training, older-adult fitness, weight loss management and group exercise instruction.

If we can’t find an exercise we enjoy, are we doomed?

No. In fact this is something I always stress to people — exercise is not always fun. But if you want to stay independent and mobile as you get older, incorporate exercise into your daily life, whether you like it or not. If you are lucky, you will find something you have fun doing. If not, the benefits far outweigh the relatively short period of difficulty.

What type of successes have your older clients seen?

There are so many success stories. A woman whom I train at LA Fitness asked me to help her mother-in-law, who, in her 80s, had become sedentary — had been reduced to watching TV all day, unable to stand on her feet for 30 seconds. Today, together, we take 15-minute walks outdoors on a regular basis. I’ve helped a lady who couldn’t lift her arms over her head regain mobility, and I have seen women through pregnancy and getting into shape postpregnancy. I just find great reward in seeing people get strong. It is not hard. I just have to listen to people and their goals, and design the plan that suits them. There is a plan that works for everyone.

So, no excuses?

No. It doesn’t matter if you are at the end-oflife years, whether you are in a wheelchair, or if you haven’t worked out for the last 30 years. Heck, even people who are in a coma benefit from the physical therapists coming in and moving their limbs. There is a level of exercise that is beneficial to anyone and everyone. —Christina

Hughes Babb

Questions and answers have been edited for brevity.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit silverstarfitness.com

VIDEO Watch. John Reeg visits a client and explain the benefits of home fitness.