A lot can change in 110 years, and Amenida Seniors Community resident JaHyung Lee has seen it all.
110 years ago, Henry Ford’s affordable automobile was starting to catch hold across the United States — commercial air travel didn’t take off until after the Second World War. Over the last 110 years computers have gone from the size of your living room to the size of your pocket, and the world of medicine has advanced from discovering penicillin in 1928 to developing multiple COVID-19 vaccines in 2020.
TV didn’t come around until the 1950s, when JaHyung Lee was in his 40s, but just last week he participated in a virtual news conference over Zoom. The 110-year-old said it was pretty neat to be able to chat with other people through the TV.
The super-centenarian is also on Facebook and a Korean messenger app, which he uses (with some help from staff) to keep in touch with family around the world.
Resilience and kindness
Lee is a treasured member of the Amenida Seniors Community, and not just because he’s lived for so long.
“Whether he’s faced bad or good times, he’s always been a loving presence, showing kindness to everyone around him,” says Rosa Park, General Manager at Amenida Seniors Community.
COVID-19 hasn’t been easy on anyone, least of which seniors, but Health and Wellness Manager Sandra Prance says residents have been an inspiration.
“We have a phenomenal team of staff who’ve adapted new programs and protocols to keep everyone safe and engaged. But it’s also been amazing to see how resilient our seniors have been — supporting us and supporting each other.”
All Amenida Seniors Community members who consented were given their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 14, including JaHyung Lee, who cheered on his neighbours in line for the shot.
Lee’s known in the community for his early-morning exercise routine (he never skips a day) and for cleaning every morsel off his plate at mealtime. He enjoys all the traditional Korean cuisine served at Amenida Seniors Community, alongside Western options. His favourite is pork ribs and kimchi.
Suites at Amenida Seniors Community are wheel-chair accessible and include private bathrooms. Services cater to Surrey’s multicultural community, including Korean meals and cultural programs. On-site amenities include a convenience store, hair salon, spacious dining room and garden courtyards. Choose from independent living or assisted-living services, or take advantage of respite care for a short term stay while recovering from surgery or giving a caregiver a break. Visit homecareliving.ca to learn more, call 604-597-9333 to book an appointment, or catch up with the latest news on Facebook and Instagram.
