Senior Speed Demons Hit the Track

Perhaps some South Valley senior communities should take notice of the latest foray into less-than-traditional senior activities offered by Friendship Village in Schaumburg, Illinois.

The community's new lifestyles program included a recent go-kart outing to Enchanted Castle in nearby Lombard. Two-dozen residents of Friendship Village, as well as some associates of the retirement community, became "fast and furious" as they hit the track in their electric go-karts.

"This event is part of our new lifestyles program here at Friendship Village," said Jessica Enriquez, SeniorFit Program exercise physiologist at Friendship Village. "As a result of proper progression in our integrated program, participants are trained with functional movements and ADL (Activity of Daily Living) exercises to help them prepare for 'extreme' activities such as snow tubing, indoor skydiving, horseback riding and rock climbing. Our team feels that participants can experience new, old and exciting adventures at any age and not give up their passions and interests."

The go-karting event included three elimination rounds and a final championship race. "Enchanted Castle totally catered to our needs and really helped to make this experience a great success," said Enriquez.

The Friendship Village group had the track to themselves, but made so much noise cheering each other on, they ended up drawing a crowd from other Enchanted Castle attractions.

"That's really what made the event more meaningful because here we are, a senior community, and adolescents and adults were in awe of what we were doing. Everyone had a smile on their face and said, 'Wow, I want to be like them when I get older,'" Enriquez said.

Friendship Village is a Chicago-area retirement community offering a complete continuum of care including independent living garden homes and apartment homes, as well as assisted living, memory support, skilled care, and short and long-term rehabilitation services.