Coming of Age in Fort Hunt – The “Elderly” Neighborhood

The Monday, September 17, 2007 edition of the Washington Post had an article about Fort Hunt, a neighborhood in Fairfax, VA. Apparently, more than 22 percent of Fort Hunt’s neighborhood is 62 or older, and the neighborhood accordingly reflects that.

Unlike small towns in many parts of American, a visit to Fort Hunt will give you a snapshot of what the future could hold for many of us. The seniors in Fort Hunt have built peer networks and solidified connections within their groups. The family-owned and operated gas station, owned by Ruth Ann-Harvey, 84 has been a landmark since 1960. Run by Harvey who, stays behind the register six days a week, their clientele is primarily the elderly who feel a sense of accomplishment in taking care of their vehicles.

The town also has the Hollin Hall Variety Store that probably has not changed its merchandise since the 1950s. They sell things like 50-cent cards to a community to whom letter writing never lost its appeal. They also have canning produce and tools for the elderly who amazingly do their own canning.

In a world of change and speed, its refreshing that the elderly can find a world to suit them. Many of the contents of the store would not resonate with youth of today but to the inhabitants of Fort Hunt, it speaks to a time when many of them were in their prime.

In a culture where old age sometime signifies the debility, it is refreshing to see a whole community determined to beat the odds. Campaigns to create “Mount Vernon at Home”, are underway. It is supposed to be a non profit organization, run by the elderly to suit their purposes. They want to solidify their own sense of worth and independence in their neighborhood.

Some of these elderly have lived exemplary lives that often belie their ages:

There are some like Myrtle “Mike” Niccolls, age 90 who keeps a daily schedule that many would find exhausting. A fundraiser for her Alma Mater Bryn Mawr College, her days are filled with teas with alumnae and recent graduates, her book club meetings and she even used to belong to a poker club.

Hanna Adams, age 103 lived there until 6 months ago, when she fell and had to move to an assisted living home.

With these lives, there is also a feeling of loss. A feeling felt almost everyday when they glance through the obituary pages. For “Mike”, aging has meant unrelenting loss. She glances through the paper and sees that her friend, 93 just passed. She feels an overpowering sense of loss over many things.

Unlike most parts of the world that have adopted the extended family concept, the American family concept is based on the nuclear family. Grandparents are a “separate” but beloved part of the family. What struck me with these stories about independence and loss and regret was there was no mention of their families. Although they were determined to live independent lives, there was also a great sense of loss with these individuals. Loss because they had lost many of their peers and friends, but what of their families?

In many parts of the world, it is almost unheard of for the grandparents to live apart from the family. The extended family is the norm, and thus it is interesting to discover the difference.

Jasmine -