For Frank and Patricia Sulzman, the secret to wellness at any age is simple: Never stop growing. And whether they’re stepping up their workout routine at the Fitness Center or exploring lectures and classes at the Academy, life at The Glenridge gives them more ways than ever to stay active.
“We wanted to ‘take it easy’ our first year … but we’re not doing a very good job of it,” says Patricia with a laugh. “There’s so much to do: classes, music, film, art exhibits, book club – almost too much to keep track of!”
Both the Sulzmans have PhDs (his in molecular and cell biology, and hers in Russian language and literature) and learning has always taken center stage in their lives. Frank, who managed the biomedical research program at NASA, is frequently invited to give talks about the space program – and this spring, he also shared his expertise at The Glenridge with a lecture about exoplanets.
“We’ve always been autodidacts – we like to teach and learn, individually and together,” says Frank. “So this continuous learning environment is really great for us.”
It’s certainly true that lifelong learning plays a critical role in well-being – and, experts say, the benefits don’t diminish as you get older. According to Dr. Ipsit Vahia, a geriatric physician with Harvard Health, stimulating your mind through education helps encourage new cell growth in the brain: “When you exercise, you engage your muscles to help improve overall health. The same concept applies to the brain. You need to exercise it with new challenges to keep it healthy.”
That’s a philosophy the Sulzmans embrace wholeheartedly. “There’s no limit to the benefits of learning – people who have an enthusiasm for it just maintain a youthful brain,” Patricia says. “And that’s part of the reason why we’re so impressed with the members of The Glenridge – everyone here has an interesting background, and they’re all curious and engaged.”
In addition to intellectual pursuits, the Sulzmans are equally committed to staying active and fit. So it comes as no surprise that working out at the Fitness Center tops their list of go-to activities. There’s an array of classes including Zumba, yoga, aerobics and stretching; tennis, pickleball and bocce courts; and a heated 75-ft. lap pool – which Patricia, a lifelong swimmer, calls her “second home.”
“We’ve both been interested in exercise our whole lives, and The Glenridge is a terrific place to do that,” she adds. “An active lifestyle is really encouraged here!”
However you define “living well,” The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch is the perfect place to take your retirement to the next level … close to all the art, beauty and culture Sarasota has to offer. Send us a message or give our Life Planning Team a call at 941-552-5369 to schedule a personal tour.
To discover what life is like at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch – once again named the best senior living community in Sarasota (for the 15th year in a row!) – visit our other blog posts or find us on Facebook.