Holmstad residents prove age is just a number

Residents from The Holmstad embraced Active Aging Week’s theme, ‘Let the Adventure Begin’ when they suited up at iFly, an indoor skydiving facility in Naperville, Ill., and let 1600 horsepower from four fans boost them into the air. The experience simulated true free-falling conditions – no parachute required. The Holmstad is a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Batavia.

With residents’ ages ranging from the mid-70s to 90, Josh Anderson, executive director at The Holmstad says, “Our residents prove age is just a number.”

The indoor skydiving experience was part of The Holmstad’s weeklong celebration of Active Aging Week (Sept. 21-27, 2014), which is sponsored by the International Council on Active Aging to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The community planned more than a dozen on- and off-campus activities to allow residents to explore new opportunities for physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual well being.

“Our goal is to help residents achieve whole-person wellness,” says Anderson. “It’s part of the LifeConnect™ partnership we have with our residents. Active Aging Week was a great opportunity for residents to discover new experiences and, more importantly, to have fun.”

Residents took a road trip to the Chicago Skydeck, where they ventured onto the ledge of one of the Western Hemisphere’s tallest buildings. They spent a morning strolling through the Fabyan Village Museum and Japanese Tea Garden; and listened to an inspiring lecture by Katie Benson, who shared stories about her mission work in Alaska and Indonesia. Residents also learned the benefits of inner exploration and enjoyed an Oktoberfest-themed cooking demo. Some cheered and some participated in the 2nd annual staff and resident T-ball game.

For more information on Active Aging Week, visit http://www.icaa.cc/aaw.htm.

About The Holmstad

The Holmstad is a faith-based, nationally accredited, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located at 700 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia, Ill. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities Inc., which is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on The Holmstad, call (630) 870-4100 or visit www.TheHolmstad.org.

Pictured above: With an iFly guide, Holmstad residents Paul Bryan, Elsie Ann Cole, Nita Chevalier, Ellen Hamilton, Linnea Root and Jamie Weaver are dressed and ready to experience the thrill of indoor skydiving.