TO YOUR HEALTH YOUNG AT HEART, AGING WELL ...continued

from Northwest Observer / June 29 - July 5, 2023

Young at heart, and aging well

might be coming up on 70 years old, but I have the mind and body of a 50-year-old,” Bolin said.

Yep, this vivacious lady does have a neurosurgeon – and a few other surgeons as well. Although Bolin is in excellent physical condition, she has endured a number of medical procedures, the most recent being rotator cuff surgery. Just one of those surgeries might have put a less determined person out of commission for weeks, but not Bolin, who has refused to let them interfere with her active lifestyle any more than necessary.

Rather than bemoaning what she can’t do, Bolin concentrates on what she can do during her recovery. For instance, after her last surgery – and with her arm in a sling – she modified her exercise routine so she could continue to cycle and lead her yoga classes. from p. 15

“After surgery, so many people are not motivated to do anything. I wanted to keep going and be with other people,” Bolin said. “Part of it was the social aspect, which helps you heal quicker, especially if you can follow your routine. You’ve just got to keep moving even if it’s just walking and interacting with other people.”

Connecting with other people is a high priority in Bolin’s quest to stay active and young at heart.

“Life isn’t just about us, it’s about others too,” she said.

Bolin also doesn’t wait for others to initiate activities, or for opportunities to come to her. She’s often the one putting the social agenda together. Trips to China, South Africa, England, France and Ireland have happened because she did the research, found some great deals and invited her friends along for some amazing adventures.

Seven months ago, Bolin added another focus to her life when she became a first-time grandmother to her grandson, Kole. The baby and his parents live in Utah, and Bolin plans to travel there as frequently as she can.

Remaining relevant

Change is difficult for many people, and especially seniors. Not for Candy Viers, though. At 74, she welcomes change and the opportunities it brings. Formerly a Summerfield resident, Viers recently moved into a 55+ active adult community in Greensboro.

“I’ve always looked forward to change,” Viers said. “I’m spontaneous and I like to try lots of different things.”

After the pandemic surfaced, Viers retired from her lifelong career as a dental hygienist.

“I’d probably still be working if it wasn’t for the pandemic. My job was considered one of the most dangerous jobs at the time,” she said.

The fact that Viers’s daughter, Shelli Cottingham, an interior designer and owner of DECORgeous, had been urging Viers to come work with her made the move even more appealing.

Using her creative and organizational skills to help Cottingham grow her business makes Viers happy. It also gives her a sense of relevance, something she believes is extremely important for anyone who wants to age well.

By relevance, Viers means staying engaged in life, having a purpose and not becoming invisible. She emphasizes that it’s up to each individual to do that for themselves.

Besides her work, Viers has numerous other avenues to remain relevant – a primary one being to stay connected to other people. Surprisingly, social media is high on her list of ways to accomplish that.

“Social media is a lifeline for seniors to keep in touch,” she said. “(By opening) your mind to the tech side of stuff, you can be in tune with family and friends.”

Thanks to social media, Viers has been able to stay in touch with 26 of her high school friends from Chattanooga, Tennessee. And when she makes a trip back home, there’s always an in-person gathering.

Staying in touch with family and other friend groups is also made easier through the use of social media. But as much as she enjoys its ease and convenience, Viers seeks ways to connect with others in person. On that note, she’s excited about the opportunities her new community offers and has already made several new friends. Being part of an active community suits her perfectly, and she’s enjoying the birthday parties, wine socials and lunches that are common occurrences.

“I’m having to step up my game,” she joked.

Viers doesn’t believe in making vague plans to get together one day; rather, she is intentional about making them happen.

“If you don’t get it on the calendar, you won’t get it done,” she said. “(You also need to remember) the phone works both ways and the road runs both ways.”

Having a purpose in life is also vital, she said.

Adding that you can have multiple purposes, she mentions two of her own. One is “trying to juggle all the balls to keep everyone connected.” Another is “my dog, Ziggy. He is dependent on me for his walk.”

As yet another way to stay relevant, Viers touts trying new things and doing what you love. A talented artist who loves to draw and paint, she finds time for those hobbies whenever she can. She’s also looking at other ways to expand her artistic endeavors.

At one time, Viers loved to write and published about a dozen romance novels. But over time it became a chore rather than a pleasure, so she stopped writing.

“You have to realize that your time is important, so if you’re doing something out of habit and not out of joy, then let it go,” Viers advised. “Do the stuff you love.”

Currently, Viers is checking into volunteer opportunities and after getting fully settled into her new home, she plans to use some of her free time to help others.