Energizers

9 Taking part in social activities – such as being active in the Energizers, Alabama Power's retiree organization – is crucial to seniors' overall health, happiness and well-being. That's the view from Dr. John Farley, a gerontologist and doctor of internal medicine board-certified in Alabama, who has more than 20 years' experience in senior health. Farley sees about 30 seniors a day at St. Vincent's One Nineteen offices in Shelby County. A graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, Farley completed his residency at UAB Hospital, practicing at UAB from 1991 to 1997, before moving to St. Vincent's Birmingham. Through the years, he has seen first hand that lack of social interaction, inactivity and loneliness can take a serious toll on one's health. "There's no doubt, as people get older, isolation is not good at all," said Farley, whose patients are mostly 70 to 85 years old. "When people are isolated, they tend to focus on negative things instead of the positive." For that reason, he said that seniors who are engaged and active in their communities and who maintain friendships are happier and experience more enjoyment of life. "People who stay involved do much better," Farley said. "They are so much healthier and more active. The social interaction of staying involved makes a huge difference." It's a big adjustment for people transitioning from a lifetime working into being retired. "Today, people will spend about one-third of their lives as a retiree," he said. "People are not in the proverbial rocking chair, anymore. "If you retire at 55, it's likely you'll live 30 to 45 years in retirement," Farley said. "You need to have a plan, and a sense of your new identity as a retiree. You have to find your sense of purpose because, otherwise, you lose your direction in life. Having a reason to be involved in society keeps people young." It's a fact today's retirees don't get old nearly as fast as the previous generation, he said. It is crucial to one's health to have a social support network: activities with friends and family; membership in groups such as the Energizers, which help one stay involved, active and needed in the community; and volunteering at church and other charitable groups. Seniors who don't stay active experience more depression, feel more pain, are more prone to falling and illnesses, and experience more muscle weakness. Farley often sees seniors whose families bring them into the office, concerned their loved one is forgetful. Instead, Farley finds many of those patients suffer from depression. He said that patients who require antidepressants shortly find their minds clearer and perk up mentally. There are many steps people can take to stay physically and mentally strong into their golden years, Farley said. "People who exercise have better balance and improved reflexes, meaning they're not as likely to fall and break a hip or other bones," he said. "For most, that type of injury means they'll never get back to their previous living situation." Being involved in groups such as Energizers provides seniors a huge boost, mentally and physically, Farley said. "You're going to live a long time," he said. "Your retirement is a time to be happy, relaxed, and contented, to enjoy your life. It's not the time to check out. Being involved improves your sense of well-being. Don't go quietly into the night." Doctor prescribes Energizers for good health In addition to his medical practice for St. Vincent's One Nineteen, Farley serves as medical director for Geneva Medical and the Oakes on Parkwood Healthcare Facility. Woody Woodruff is a Southerner at heart. Some 82 years after making Alabama his home, Woodruff was honored following his 100th birthday, in the presence of many friends and former coworkers from Alabama Power and Southern Company Services. The celebration was part of the spring banquet for company retirees May 13 at the Pelham Civic Center. Renowned as a hydro expert, Woodruff worked on planning, design, operations, maintenance, and construction and reconstruction of Alabama Power's 14 hydro dams, as well as working as a transmission lines engineer. He was a hydro consultant until June 2009. Woodruff revels in his memories of Alabama Power. "I remember seeing President Tom Martin dance a little jig as he stepped into the elevator at the office building in Montgomery. He would do that when he came into Montgomery, because it was his hometown, and he was happy to be there," Woodruff explained. Dr. Mabel Anderson, head of the Village Creek Society, said Woodruff is a treasured friend. It was Woodruff 's "detective" work that helped control flooding at Village Creek, and he still is a member of the executive board and serves as director of finances for the Village Creek Society. After a successful career, Woodruff received the Distinguished Service Award from the Alabama Section of American Society of Civil Engineers, and was also inducted as one of the first Distinguished Engineering Fellows of Alabama College of Engineering in 1987. Honored at 100, Richard "Woody" Woodruff going strong Hendon Engineering Associates' Bob Blythe (left), Woodruff, Anderson and Linda Blythe celebrated Woodruff's centennial milestone.

• Cover