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What a year 2011 has been! A devastating tsunami hit Japan. Billions of people worldwide tuned in to the Royal Wedding. Osama Bin Laden’s death marked a significant step in the fight against terrorism. And we lost an innovator and icon with the passing of Steve Jobs. Just to name a few.

Check out this video from Google for a snapshot of some of the most significant events of 2011.

It’s been an exciting year for senior living, too. Here are some of the year’s most interesting news and feature stories about those living and working in senior living. If you have a favorite story from 2011 that’s not included in this list, or one that highlights your community, do share.

Baby Boomers: Officially, You’re Now Senior Citizens– The Christian Science Monitor
The first Baby Boomer turned 65 on January 1, and an average of 7,000 per day are following suit. What will they do in retirement, and how will it impact society?

Man Learns to Read at 96, Writes Book - CNN
A senior living community helped inspire Jim Henry, who was illiterate until age 96, to read. Then he wrote his own book. The now 98-year-old author says he’s “the happiest man in the world.”

Sailor, 85, Crosses Atlantic on Raft with Friends – MSNBC.com
A childhood dream came true for 85-year-old British sailor Anthony Smith who dreamed of crossing the Atlantic on a raft. He and three of his friends completed the exciting journey this spring. “What else do you do when you get on in years?” he says. What an amazing tale!

Kinect Effect Reaches Into Hospitals, Senior Centers – Mircrosoft^® News Center
Have you tried Kinect for Xbox 360? This popular gaming device allows you to play Xbox games hands-free, but it also has applications that have nothing to do with gaming. Senior living communities and hospitals are beginning to use Kinect to help seniors and monitor their movements and prevent falls.

Keiko Fukuda Becomes 98-Year-Old Black Belt – Huffington Post
Sensei Keiko Fukuda’s story reinforces that you should never give up on your dreams or passions, regardless of your gender or age. She did many things for women’s judo, and after devoting most of her life to the practice, the 98-year-old earned a tenth-degree black belt, martial art’s highest honor.

A Push to Turn ‘For Sale’ Into ‘Sold’ – The Wall Street Journal
Most communities are eager to help leads and prospects sell their houses. Here are some ways communities across the country are partnering with a team of experts to help older adults transition from their house to a community.

Assisted Living Communities May Be Wise to Appeal More to Men – The Washington Post
Political discussion groups. Poker night. Happy hours. Fantasy football. In what ways does your community appeal to men? Today’s senior living centers may tend to focus more on women’s preferences, but this articles shows some are becoming more gender-friendly.

A Retirement Made for You (and People Just Like You) – SmartMoney
Are niche retirement communities becoming a trend as Baby Boomers age? This article takes a look at this growing phenomenon and highlights communities catering to five different cultures and lifestyles.

Ohio Woman, 100, Has Bank Account Dating to 1913 – Associated Press
June Gregg, 100, brings a whole new meaning to customer loyalty. She’s still has and uses a bank savings account that’s been around almost for nearly a century.

Seniors Enjoy a Bicycle Built for Two –WYFF-TV, Channel 4
Most older adults haven’t been on a bike in more than five decades, but residents at a senior living community in Greenville, South Carolina, are rolling on The Duet, a special bicycle built for two. Each week, the executive director becomes a cycling buddy for some of the residents at the community, and residents and family members are loving it.

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As November rolls in, the air cools, leaves begin to fall, and the sound of squeaky sneakers fills gyms across the country. That’s right, basketball season is upon us. And while many of us will be cheering for our alma mater, here’s another team worth rooting for.

Since its inception, the Iowa Granny Basketball League has taken on a life of its own. My favorite quote from one player: “When I leave the house at night and say I’m going to basketball practice, aches and pains go away, wrinkles disappear for a few minutes, and I’m 16 again.”

Enjoy the video.

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And not only do they read it, they digest it, and they talk about it, and they show it to other people.

I recently had the pleasure of spending some time interviewing residents at a senior living community. The first day I met with three different individuals in their homes. Within the one-hour session, each one of them mentioned “opening their mail” to me. In fact, their stack of opened mail was neatly displayed on their coffee tables. Two of the residents even showed me items they had received in the mail that day.

Now I know mail is important to older adults, but this experience served as a good reminder of just how important it really is.

With that being said, because of the increased use of the Internet, the volume of snail mail continues to decline. And there’s been a lot of talk in recent news about likely changes coming to the U.S. Postal Service.

What effect do you think this will have on the senior population, if any? We’d love to hear your take on the issue.

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With football season upon us, I couldn’t think of a better time to share this next video from CBS Evening News. From sequined costumes and pom-poms to choreographed routines, headstands and splits, these ladies in their 60s and 70s from Sun City, Arizona, can really put on a show. The Sun City Poms are known around the country for their famous pom routines. If fact, you may have seen them in action, as they make regular appearances in the Fiesta Bowl Parade and performed during the Super Bowl pre-game show in 2008.

For more than 30 years, the Poms have been performing with grace and youthful energy. Providing so much more than entertainment, they continue to shatter stereotypes and redefine aging. I hope 30 years from now I have half as much energy and spirit as they do. Enjoy the video!

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Back to School: Three words that have been on the minds of many of us lately. As teachers and students across the country prepare to head back to school, they might want to take some notes from Agnes Zhelesnik. At 97, Agnes ̶ or “Granny” as she’s called by her students at Sun Dance School in New Jersey ̶ is considered the oldest teacher in the country.

It’s often said that you’re never too old to learn, but this next video proves you’re never too old to teach.

This is just another example about how today’s older adults are redefining retirement and not slowing down one bit. I’ve talked with a number of professors and former school teachers who live in senior living communities. Many of them continue to teach, either in their current career or by volunteering and mentoring students who need additional guidance. Others have taken on the role of leading stimulating classes in their respective communities and teaching fellow residents. Like Agnes, they continue their passion for teaching and enjoy the things they love to do later in life.

Thanks to Agnes, and all the teachers out there, for your continued service over the years.

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