Marion Lowry

Partial Transcript: Moved to Carolina Village after living in NW Ohio. Husband preferred Arizona, but Marion wanted four seasons. He died after four years, and I was glad to be living in a place with people and activities.
1:00 I enjoy activities and having time because I don’t have to cook or clean for myself. Reminds me of living in a college dorm with many activities. Easy transition and happy to be here.

Partial Transcript: I enjoy activities and having time because I don’t have to cook or clean for myself. Reminds me of living in a college dorm with many activities. Easy transition and happy to be here.

Partial Transcript: I enjoy activities and having time because I don’t have to cook or clean for myself. Reminds me of living in a college dorm with many activities. Easy transition and happy to be here.

Partial Transcript: I got involved with the wellness program which needed to be reorganized. The person who had run the wellness program was gone. They only had old, donated bikes and no program; the original owners were no longer at Carolina. We got rid of those old bikes.
Carolina Village was starting a fitness program through UNC with resident assessments. I got involved with the wellness program in 2001. Four people were working with the committee, and they said I should work with the medical staff. Carolina Village had a thrift shop called Trading Post now named Village Treasures. They sell things that are given by residents, and the Resident Council buys things the Residents can use. We got $10,000 from the Resident Council, and the board of directors gave us $10,000. We got new equipment like Schwinn bicycles for cardiovascular exercise. I wrote a grant to get some weight equipment.
In 2003, I negotiated with the YMCA to have someone come for strength training and that program is still going. Now I negotiate directly with the instructors. There were other resident services, but they not as well developed as the physical education program.

Partial Transcript: In 2007, I was asked to join the board of directors to represent the residents. We attended a meeting in Orlando recommending ways to improve the life of residents. Colin Milner was presented seven dimensions of aging called “Mathers Life Way,”: emotional, environmental, intellectual, social, spiritual, physical, vocational. When we got back, we decided to at nutritional, so we had 8 dimensions of aging because it was so important. We called our program Life Enrichment.
Segment 4 New Wellness Coordinators Expand Opportunities for Residents
10:00. In 2008-09 We hired our first Wellness Coordinator who used the 8 dimensions to build a complete program for residents. We got a walking trail for residents which is used by some residents and guests. There are 7 stations on the trail for different activities. Also, he got a golfing group started and the pool table was more active. Ping Pong was held two afternoons a week. He also helped with technology.
12:04 Another new director had background in art history as well as physical activity. The program took off again for about a year. When she left to have a baby, her assistant was ready to step in and she had different skills. She gives classes and coordinates the outside speakers and consultants.

Partial Transcript: Another resident, Louise Randall, started a recycling program; she died at 108. We wanted to improve the program and I thought the whole village was recycling, but we were really not doing much. Things have gotten better but we still have things to work out.

Partial Transcript: We are developing a booklet to give all residents about the Wellness programs available at Carolina Village. Starting in April, we have a new pool for therapy and recreation. We moved equipment so that it is more available. We are going to celebrate our progress on April 15.
15:58 We get very positive feedback for our wellness program. We had a motto “Be Alive as long as you live” and have renamed the program Life Enrichment with a committee that includes the chair of the Education Committee. We invite everyone to meetings where we discuss plans. The Residence Association also has committees; we all work together.

Partial Transcript: What are highlights of the Life Enrichment Committee? We keep track use of the fitness equipment to see how much people use them. They can see whether they are improving. We have many activities including trips outside. Many activities are provided in the village and they also travel to outside events and performances such as Flat Rock playhouse as well as taking people to grocery and doctor appointments. We have music and Active Aging program.
20:00 We have many volunteers who give their time to the community. “I am healthier when I’m busy. I don’t have time to think about pain?” I keep busy and have my calendar every year to write what is happening. Children think that is strange, but I started keeping a morning, afternoon, and evening calendars when I was 40 years old. They didn’t get the car if I had things on the calendar. They didn’t think that was fair. I found another friend who keeps the same kind of calendar.
22:15. Carolina Village supports the Wellness Program. The Board of Directors understands that we are a team. I just call people and ask them if they help and usually they do. People don’t recognize all that we have going on. We are planning a 40 year-anniversary celebration. We support our employees even if people don’t get paid enough, they are working and they can participate in wellness and other activities as well.

Partial Transcript: What makes Carolina Village unique? Many other retirement facilities also have activities like what we have. Well people come here because it meets their needs. I wanted four seasons— not going back to Texas or Ohio. People want to be involved with activities and have a sense of community. I didn’t want to give up things that were important to me. For 10 years I been involved with Kids Vote with the League of Women Voters to be involved in the community. The league taught skills for helping people to understand issues and I am happy to part of that.
What is unique about living here? When people fall, they get excellent care at the medical center. New programs encourage people who might be loners to participate. People are living longer and healthier you need a fair amount of exercise and mental stimulation in activities we have here. We see more participation when residents exercise and it is something to talk at mealtimes besides the weather.
Some people wait too late to move because moving is so hard to downsize because we don’t have much space. It makes it easier because you don’t have so much to keep up with. Seeing people get settled in is a joy.

Partial Transcript: I wish I had more time to think of an inspirational story. If you don’t like this story come back. I had a friend who eats in the dining hall with different groups. She fell and hurt her hip and knee. After going to hospital and Medical Center, she is already back in her cottage where she sleeps when she wants to. She has food in the refrigerator and doesn’t need dietary help. Carolina Village helps us live comfortably.