A Place to Call Home: Celebrating 90 years of life, friendship, and possibility.

Date

October 26, 2026

Time

6 minutes

Category

Life at Aspire

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If you know James, you know he loves airplanes. Mention airplanes or maps, and James is ready to talk, tracing routes and sharing his knowledge of planes and airports. Whether he’s pointing out a route on a map or telling you about an airplane, James’s enthusiasm is easy to see.

It’s a passion that began when his father took him to Midway Airport as a young boy. Decades later, watching planes remains one of his favorite ways to spend time with family. He especially enjoys visiting a local airport with his sister-in-law, Mary, where they can watch the planes and share a meal together.

It’s one of the many things that make James who he is.

At 90 years old, James is the oldest person currently supported by Aspire. It’s a remarkable milestone and an opportunity to celebrate the friendships he’s formed, the experiences he’s enjoyed, and the life he’s built along the way.

For more than five decades, Aspire has been in James’s corner. As his needs have evolved, so has the support around him.

What hasn’t changed is Aspire’s commitment to knowing James as an individual and helping him live life on his terms.

A Friendship That Feels Like Family

Some of life’s most meaningful connections are the ones that grow stronger with time.

Nearly 20 years ago, James met Terry at Aspire. The two have been side by side ever since, sharing a home, listening to jazz, and enjoying life’s everyday moments together.

Over the years, their friendship has become something even more meaningful. For James, Terry isn’t simply a roommate. He’s family.

*James with Terry at his 90th birthday party.*

“Terry is always there,” says Will, James’s Life Consultant.

Their friendship is part of what makes Aspire feel like home. It’s found in familiar routines and the comfort of having someone who knows him by his side.

Because home is about more than a place to live. It’s about relationships, choices, and the people who make life meaningful.

New Chapters, New Possibilities

“He loves being retired,” Will says.

And James knows exactly what he likes.

He’s comfortable letting people know when he wants to participate in an activity and when he’d rather do something his own way. The people who know him understand and respect those preferences.

As James has grown older, some things have become more difficult. Walking isn’t as easy as it once was, and his needs have changed. But his personality, interests, and desire to make his own choices remain as important as ever.

Through proactive physical therapy, senior programming, and a team that understands his preferences, Aspire continues to adapt its support so James can stay connected to the people he loves and participate in experiences that bring him joy.

For James, growing older doesn’t mean leaving behind the things that make life meaningful. It means having the support to continue enjoying them, even as life changes.

A Community Built on Connection and Trust

For James’s family, knowing he is surrounded by people who truly understand him brings peace of mind.

Mary has watched James build his life within the Aspire community for decades. She’s seen the relationships he’s developed and the ways Aspire has continued to support him through life’s changes.

*James with his sister-in-law Mary at his 90th birthday party.*

“There are not even words for how well they have cared for him,” she says.

That kind of trust doesn’t happen overnight. It grows through years of knowing what makes James smile, understanding his routines, respecting his choices, and celebrating the things that bring him joy.

For Mary, Aspire is more than a place where James receives support.

“It’s been his home,” she says.

Celebrating 90 Years of Being James

When it came time to celebrate James’s 90th birthday, there was one thing that was sure to make the occasion special: airplanes.

Aspire helped arrange a visit to Poplar Grove Airport, where James and some of his friends from Aspire spent a beautiful, blue-sky day surrounded by the planes he has loved since childhood.

James smiled from ear to ear throughout the experience. He asked questions about the aircraft, learned more about how they worked, and even had the chance to sit inside an airplane.

For someone whose fascination with airplanes began during childhood trips to Midway Airport with his father, it was a fitting way to celebrate 90 years.

But the experience represented something more than a birthday outing.

It was about knowing James. Recognizing what brings him joy. And making sure that, even at 90, he continues to have opportunities to enjoy the things he loves.

James’s story is a reminder of what becomes possible when people have a community that knows them and grows alongside them.

It’s found in the friendship he shares with Terry. In the trust his family has built with the people who support him. In the freedom to make his own choices. And in a 90th birthday celebration that was uniquely James.

“He’s had a good life,” Mary says.

And at 90, James still has more life to enjoy. More music to share with Terry. More maps to explore. And, of course, more airplanes to watch.

For more than 50 years, Aspire has been part of that journey, helping James continue to enjoy a life filled with friendship, connection, and possibility. It’s a lifelong commitment made possible by a community of dedicated team members, families, and generous supporters who believe that everyone deserves a life filled with possibility.

Because growing older doesn’t mean the possibilities end. Sometimes, it simply means finding new ways to soar.