For nearly 20 years, the lives of Don and Betty have been intertwined with Aging Ahead and the West County center. It’s clear that their presence in the Aging Ahead community has touched countless lives along the way.
Seeking out a sense of community, Betty became involved with Aging Ahead’s West County center and wanted to share her dancing skills as a way to stay active. An avid dancer, Betty began teaching and leading a weekly line dancing class, and her peers liked it so much that she continued to teach for nearly 17 years! “I just love to dance, and it feels good to teach others. I’ve made so many great friends over the years through dancing at the center!” In 2019, Betty suffered a health condition that resulted in leg surgery. She is in pain but is optimistic as ever that she will be back dancing again soon. “It’s never too late to do something if you’re determined, and I always feel supported in that group.”
While Betty was an active dance leader, Don volunteered with Aging Ahead by delivering Meals on Wheels to older adults for over seven years. “It’s really come full circle. I delivered meals, and now we receive meal deliveries. Isn’t life funny like that? I love helping people, and when we needed help, we knew exactly who to call.” Don and Betty received help from our Community Options Specialist team and signed up for home-delivered meals after Betty’s surgery. Don continued by saying, “Aging Ahead is just a wonderful blessing. We’ve met great friends, and we feel taken care of, and that’s important. We feel we are looked after.”
Speaking of full circle, Denise, the volunteer that delivers meals to Don and Betty was a regular in Betty’s line dancing class! “I looked forward to Betty’s classes each week before the pandemic. I’m so glad I get a chance to pop in and say hi when I deliver their meals! They’re one of my favorite stops.”
Married for nearly 49 years, Don and Betty are a dynamic duo. They finish each other’s sentences and cheer on each other’s accomplishments—proud of what the other has done and faced throughout their lives. Don said, “For me, Aging Ahead is just that—we are doing it, and I’m only 91. We both have a lot of life in us still. On and up, I say!”