Think about what you did on your last birthday. Maybe it was eating a nice dinner with family and then opening up a gift. Former President George H.W. Bush sent a message around the world this past Friday while celebrating his 85th birthday. He went skydiving! 

When interviewed after the jump on why he did it, he stated very simply: “…just because you’re an old guy, you don’t have to sit around drooling in the corner. Get out and do something. Get out and enjoy life.”

Those who are involved in the field of senior living tout that message all the time. You know that older adults are still very active and vibrant. They may not all be jumping out of airplanes, but they’re not sitting still, either. Living in a senior living community gives residents an opportunity to get as involved as they want to be. It might be taking part in a Tai Chi class, water aerobics or even serving on the resident council. The fact is, the community provides older adults to chance stay connected with others and involved.

The former president said jumping out of a plane makes him exhilarated and charged. Senior living communities may not offer that same type of charge, but the communities do enhance life for so many, who always end up saying, “I wish I had moved here sooner.”

By the way, get ready to read the headlines in five more years. President Bush says he’ll be skydiving again on his 90th birthday.