Champion Your Health: Real Stories of Living Well, Your Way

Every May, Older Americans Month gives us a reason to pause and take a closer look at what it really means to age well.

Led by the Administration for Community Living, this national observance highlights the contributions of older adults—and shines a light on something just as important: how we support health, independence, and quality of life as we age.

This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, is a simple idea with real weight behind it. It’s also something we care deeply about at Vivie—taking an active role in your well-being, staying engaged, making informed choices, and continuing to build a life that feels like your own.

Because healthy aging isn’t one thing. It’s personal. And it shows up differently for everyone.

What it means to champion your health

Championing your health doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly.

It means paying attention to what matters to you—and taking steps to support it.

For some, it’s staying physically active. For others, it’s finding connection or building a routine that brings stability and peace of mind.

And often, it’s all of these—working together in ways that evolve over time.

There’s no one way to do this.

But there are real people living it every day. Let’s meet a few of them.

Judy: finding connection and staying active

When considering a move to senior living, Judy Sturgeon was clear—she wasn’t looking to slow down. She was looking for connection.

At The Plaza by Vivie, she found both community and routine—through classes, shared experiences, and a wellness center that helped her stay active.

“I realized I was lonely, but I didn’t realize how lonely,” she says. “And how much fun it is to be around people again.”

For Judy, it’s about staying connected, staying active, and choosing a life that keeps her engaged.

Kim: taking an active role in your recovery

For Kim Suter, being healthy meant doing more than recovering well.

After a difficult recovery from her first knee replacement, she made a better plan for her second.

Before surgery, she started a wellness program at Grand Arbor by Vivie—and continued it afterward.

“The difference between my first and second knee replacement was huge,” she says.

Through guided classes, consistent movement, and support from the wellness team, Kim rebuilt her strength and recovered faster than she expected.

For Kim, it wasn’t just about recovery. It was about taking an active role in it—and finding connection along the way.

“You may not know anyone at first,” she says, “but you will when you walk out of that place.”

Dwight and Lucy: Moving forward together

For Dwight and Lucy Burkhardt, health came down to one simple truth—being together.

After Dwight’s injury and time in rehabilitation kept them separated, Lucy knew something had to change.

“We had to be together. That’s all there is to it.”

At Walker Place by Vivie, they found a way to do just that—support when they needed it, and the ability to continue life side by side.

For them, it meant making a change that allowed them to keep moving forward—together.

Sydney: the support that makes healthy living possible

Stories like these don’t happen by accident.

For Sydney, an occupational therapist at Vivie, the work often starts small—helping someone to get dressed, prepare a meal, or safely move through their day.

“The things people want most are to take care of themselves and feel like themselves again,” she says.

Over time, those small steps lead to something bigger—confidence, independence, and the ability to return to everyday life.

Living well, your way

There’s no single definition of healthy aging.

It might look like staying active and social. Or taking control of recovery and building strength. Or making changes that help you stay close to the people who matter most.

However it shows up, it comes back to the same idea—having the ability to keep making choices about your health, your routine, and your future.

That’s what it looks like to live well.

Champion your health, your way

There’s no one path to healthy aging—but the right support can make all the difference.

Whatever healthy aging looks like for you, you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re thinking about what’s next, we’re here to help you explore your options, understand what’s available, and find an approach that fits your life.

Explore more, connect with our team, or share your own story using #OlderAmericansMonth.