On the People We Live With

As I mentioned in a recent paper, we live in a Senior Village. The accommodations are between a fine hotel and a resort, but neither. Yet, it is unique. The corporation that owns and operates this complex has others around the country. They are all available to us if visiting any of those locations is on our mind. Next door to us is a total care facility. Assisted care is not offered here, but we live as well as possible for people of our ages.

The beauty of this place, which is called Revel, are all the people that live here and the staff of professionals who manage it. While the people who manage Revel do it superbly, I’ve chosen to write about the people who have elected to live here.

We reserved our apartment about two and a half years ago, joining some thirty-plus other people who had also committed. Most were primarily single, as there were fewer couples. Since then, it has grown steadily to about 135 residents and a long list of those waiting for apartments to open up. Interestingly, most living here are from back east with children in their 60s and 70s who live here and in Lake Tahoe. Many also have grandchildren here. So, in general, it all allows these families to remain close to each other. Always a good thing.

While many residents are retired teachers of every grade level, there are also many former engineers, technical specialists, and various professionals. Getting people to talk about their histories is easy, probably because we are good listeners and sincerely want to hear their stories. As I’ve always maintained, the more people become comfortable and feel safe, they share.

It’s not a one-way street. We also share our stories if others are interested. Politics, the state of our country, and the world often lead to wonderful discussions. In some cases, the ability to have meaningful conversations can also depend on whether people are trapped by their belief systems. I’ll write more about the people to come.

Sy

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows

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