When we say “Connected,” our first thoughts tend to go to the digital revolution fueled by busy lives and a flurry of emails, text messages, social media and our ever-present electronic devices. But in this case, we mean “Connected” in terms of developing and maintaining solid, true, face-to-face social relationships and being present in the moment.
For Dr. Gerald Tharp, U.S. Army Korean War Veteran, retired University of Nebraska (UNL) physiology professor and GracePointe by Tabitha Resident, it’s all about friends, family and the things he enjoys most.
The Benefits of Being Connected
Research has found that social support plays an important role in overall health as we age. Spending time with people and doing activities we love boosts quality of life. The stronger the bonds in our trusted personal connections, the more we reap the health benefits that are especially important as we grow older.
Experts say frequent socialization can slow cognitive decline by 70 percent. To say Tharp has capitalized on his socialization is an understatement.
A Life of Connection
Tharp has lived life with enthusiasm: he’s served our country, lived as a husband, given his love as a father of four, given his smarts as a professor (logging 30 years at UNL) and been a textbook co-author. His connections to community are the proof and his association with Tabitha is no exception, from serving as a Tabitha Meals on Wheels Volunteer to later becoming a Resident.
It was at First Lutheran Church that he was introduced to Tabitha. There, he met and became lifelong friends with Stu and Martha Maseman. (Stu developed the Tabitha Foundation while Martha was a pioneer in establishing Tabitha’s award-winning Home Health Care Services.)
Tharp’s late wife Delorice, or “Dee,” turned volunteer opportunities at Tabitha into a 20-year career in Admissions. Dee’s Mom benefited from Tabitha’s range of services as well: from living at The Village Senior Apartments, then Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and finally receiving compassionate care from Tabitha Hospice.
Making the Transition to Easy Living at GracePointe
When Dee’s health issues led her into needing a long-term care community, Tharp looked into simplifying his life. Like so many Nebraskans, he wanted to live on his own terms and took matters into his own hands with proactive planning.
Because of his Tabitha ties, he toured GracePointe Assisted Living and Memory Care Suites and shortly thereafter put his name on the resident waiting list.
“Living at GracePointe with a hassle-free lifestyle freed me up to focus on more important things,” said Tharp. “One of the biggest benefits is that I do not have to cook. Instead, I have wonderful meals prepared for me that are much better tasting and balanced than if it were left up to me. GracePointe’s executive chef does an amazing job. Her specialty is desserts, which unfortunately, I do have to turn down every now and then.”
Tharp added, “I also enjoy developing new bonds with my fellow GracePointe Residents. Our conversations over the dinner table are lively, maybe a bit too loud and filled with humor.”
Faith has played a strong role in Tharp’s life. He is an active and longtime member of First Lutheran Church. You can find him heading off for a Bible study group or singing in the church choir, and he also lends his tenor voice to the Lincoln Senior Choir. When he’s not singing, he enjoys listening to local artists like 3 Chords and a Cloud of Dust and multi-instrumentalist Chris Sayre.
While many Seniors are wary of leaving their family home to move into assisted living, Tharp embraced it. It is said that a professor never stops teaching—in Tharp’s case, he continues to show how the power of thinking ahead, looking forward to each day and filling it with connections leads to a happier, healthier life.
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