WHC to focus on resident well-being in 2025
Meet a superager leading by example
The new year will bring new attention to one of the best attributes about life at Western Home Communities: living in a community that offers many opportunities to improve well-being.
A new brand will define this holistic approach with a focus on physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual practices.
“Experiencing wellness as we age is about balance and making sure people are engaged in things they enjoy while stimulating their mind, body and spirit,” says Director of Wellness Morgan Lehmann.
Lehmann says the phrase “use it or lose it” not only applies to physical function. “Trying new things and learning new things is great ‘exercise’ for our brains,” she explains, “and helps us stay cognitively sharp.”
Experts define superagers as those who reach age 80 with better cognition than most others that age. Rowena Hardinger of Prairie Wind certainly fits the description.
After raising three children and teaching home economics for 27 years, Rowena and her husband traveled to all 50 states and 50 countries. Her apartment is full of artwork and artifacts that remind her of the places they went and the cultures they immersed themselves in. She readily recounts stories of those experiences.
“I enjoy learning and meeting people who have something to teach me,” she says, a practice she continues now. “We have interesting people here [at Western Home] with interesting backgrounds. They share with me, and I share with them, and we have a wonderful time.”
Rowena first moved to a villa in 2013, after her husband died. At 87, she wanted to be closer to children and grandchildren in eastern Iowa. She remained active in the Cedar Valley United Nations Association and American Association of University Women.
Turning 99 this month, Rowena served as a mentor for a high school student this fall. She exercises three times a week via Zoom and twice at the wellness center. Her master’s degree in nutrition leads her to advocate for older adults to focus on meals with less sugar and more brightly colored vegetables.
Rowena's Halloween costume last fall was a nod to her 2% Gypsy heritage; she's pictured at the Prairie Wind party with fellow resident Dave Nation.
She does admit age is slowly catching up with her. She no longer paints, a hobby that brought immense fulfillment.
“I’m losing my eyesight and hearing, but I can’t feel sorry for myself,” she says. Rowena looks for solutions instead, increasing the font size on her computer, using a cassette type of audio book player, and getting physical therapy for back pain. “There are always things you can do.”
Genes do play a role; Rowena’s mother died just shy of her 112th birthday. Yet Rowena has outlived all three siblings. She attributes her longevity primarily to a strong spiritual life.
“My faith is the most sustaining thing,” she reflects. “We’re here for a purpose. Ask for guidance to lead with the love of God that he has given us.”
Watch for the brand announcement to come soon along with more details about what it means for helping each resident age as well as possible.
