We are all very grateful to be over 90 years of age, and it is the reason we enjoy each other so much. We are proud and pleased we have been able to make it this far. – Ralph Black MD, age 96 and 90+ Club Member
Every Monday afternoon the 90+ Club meets at Peninsula Seniors’ Scriba Family Center. Many of the members are long-time Peninsula residents that moved to Palos Verdes in the 50’s and 60’s. The club started with just a handful of members but has grown to twenty or more through word of mouth and promotion in the Peninsula Seniors’ Connections newsletter. PV Magazine had a chance to speak with 90+ Club member, Ralph Black MD, and he enthusiastically explained that he loves participating because he enjoys the vigorous, positive outlook of this group where most members still drive, live alone, do their own housekeeping, travel, stay current on the news and have opinions that are mellowed by years of existence. He says each week when they pass the microphone around, members have stories to tell, everything from what restaurants they visited to major trips. “We are all very grateful to be over 90 years of age, and it is the reason we enjoy each other so much. We are proud and pleased we have been able to make it this far.”
The club’s volunteer facilitator Debra Bein, a geriatric care manager, points out that the group used to meet every other week, but members requested to start meeting every week. According to Dr. Black, “Debra keeps this group together and pleasantly structured.” As the facilitator, Debra keeps the flow of the conversation moving and steers the discussion. She explains that the 90 + age group is easily forgotten. Many have lost their spouse and have outlived their friends, and some have even outlived their children. With their age in common, they have a welcoming place at Peninsula Seniors to share their experiences and challenges, get advice from fellow members, exchange opinions, and gain a sense of connection. While other groups at Peninsula Seniors may revolve around activities, this group is really about conversation and sharing. Each meeting they share about their week, encourage each other, offer advice, and give recommendations. Some topics that come up are about how to get out of the house more and make friends, or how to advocate for themselves at the doctor’s office. Members also listen to one another about difficult topics such as loneliness and how they are feeling, without fear of judgment. Debra says she loves how Peninsula Seniors encourages and supports the 90+ Club, even providing them a microphone to help the participants hear one another better. The 90+ Club reminds us that we are never too old to practice gratitude and to stay connected.
Peninsula Seniors’ mission is to “Make Life Fun!” find out more about them at www.pvseniors.org
