Amidst the laughter and energy of the schoolyard, you’ll find Anne Marie, who volunteers to help children read French every Monday. She has become a valued and familiar part of the community, and for many, she is a clear example of staying social and engaged after retirement. In recent years, after the loss of her husband, she found herself entering what she calls her 5th season, a new chapter shaped by both change, acceptance and growth. She’s finding purpose by leaning into her community.
“I find mingling with the kids keeps me young. They are always filling me in on current phrases and help me stay connected,” says Anne Marie who began volunteering at her local elementary school following an injury that kept her off the pickleball court. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Building intergenerational relationships became one of the best things she has ever done for her health and longevity.
“The secret to retirement is purpose,” she says. “Helping the teachers and children gives me so much fulfillment.”
The next best thing she did for her health was reject dismissive, age-biased medical care. This pivotal choice uncovered several important medical issues that had been masked by her healthy habits and overlooked by her previous doctors.
Taking Control
Anne Marie has always been health-conscious, shaped in part by having rheumatic fever as a child, which left her with a heart murmur. Her awareness deepened after watching her mother suffer four heart attacks and a stroke, reinforcing just how real her hereditary cardiovascular risk could be.
So when her own medical provider didn’t share her level of concern, her frustration grew. “I constantly felt brushed off,” she recalls. “My complaints were met with a shrug. When I mentioned my shoulder pain, I was told it was just a normal part of getting older, with no real treatment offered. This happened more times than I can count.” She felt dismissed, unheard and undervalued. On her daughter’s recommendation, she turned to Harrison, hoping for a different kind of care.
A Fresh Start
Her first impression at Harrison set a new tone. “I had never had such a thorough examination before,” she shared. “I suddenly had so much more information about my health.”
Despite her healthy lifestyle, the comprehensive assessment uncovered several underlying health issues that had gone unnoticed by doctors prior to joining Harrison. Tests revealed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and mild fatty liver disease. The team also identified a possible cardiomyopathy, prompting an echocardiogram for a closer look.
For the first time, Anne Marie felt she had true partners in managing her health.
Even though she felt fine, Anne Marie learned that her blood pressure fluctuates and now monitors it at home, supported by routine check-ups with her team. To address her fatty liver and high cholesterol, her care team created a collaborative treatment plan involving nutrition, physical fitness, and medication. For her digestive health, her physician, Dr. Beth Donaldson introduced magnesium, a simple addition that also improved Anne Marie’s sleep. She complements this with probiotics.
Dr.Donaldson credits Anne Marie’s progress to her consistency and dedication since joining Harrison.
“Anne Marie trusts the process and knows we are there for her, but she definitely does her part,” says Dr. Donaldson.
A fresh start through nutrition
To support her heart health through nutrition, Anne Marie works with her Harrison Registered Dietitian, Dayna. “I always thought I was eating well, but I’ve realized how much more I could learn,” she reflects, acknowledging that embracing each phase of life often means adapting routines to what your body needs now.
Dayna helped her fine-tune her already solid habits, focusing on specific areas like managing cholesterol and addressing her fatty liver diagnosis by reducing saturated fats and salt while increasing soluble fibre. “Anne Marie’s engagement and openness were key to her success. She consistently implemented our suggestions and adapted,” Dayna notes.
With Dayna’s guidance, Anne Marie increased her protein and fibre intake, even without being much of a meat eater. She also learned to recognize the signs of dehydration and now makes it a routine to carry water and electrolytes with her.
“Even through her recent surgery, Anne Marie stayed dedicated to her health,” Dayna shares. “Her focus on recovery has led to strong lab results and significant symptom improvement.”
This commitment isn’t new; over the years, Anne Marie’s Harrison team has been by her side through several surgeries, including two knee replacements and two rotator cuff repairs.
Anne Marie sees her Care Team’s dedication as a true motivator. “They make you feel accountable,” she says. “It’s like wanting to get a good report card at school. You want to come back with good news!”
A fresh start through fitness
Anne Marie’s approach to fitness is rooted in consistency, structure, and the right support. Her dedication to movement is a reflection of her belief that entering this season of life isn’t about slowing down, but about finding new ways to thrive.
“When something hurts, I make adjustments, but I still get my movement in,” says Anne Marie, an avid walker and yoga enthusiast who also fits in two strength sessions per week. To stay consistent, she exercises first thing in the morning. “If I didn’t, it wouldn’t get done.”
And she always has her team to back her up, including Exercise Physiologist, Carys.
Recently, she came in with right hip pain and lower limb alignment issues, so Carys designed a targeted program to improve her glute activation, hip stability, and movement control. The goal was to make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, and sleeping more comfortable.
Despite challenges like arthritis, Anne Marie’s spirit never wavered. Carys shares, “She is highly engaged, proactive, and open to modifying exercises based on feedback.” Her strength program was carefully designed around previous shoulder surgeries, focusing on stability and joint health. Anne Marie’s functional strength and resilience are remarkable, proving age is no barrier when you have a dedicated team.
Embracing a Fulfilling 5th Season of Life
Anne Marie’s story comes full circle in this 5th season, one she now embraces as both an opportunity and a mindset. Rather than retreating from life’s challenges, Anne Marie meets them as they come, recognizing that this time is as much about emotional adaptation as it is about physical health.
Her experiences have reinforced a simple priority: not just extending her years, but maintaining the quality of them. Her partnership with the Harrison team is proof that with the right support, life can be marked by vitality, growth, and connection, redefining what it means to thrive and truly enjoy life after retirement.
