After hearing the good news that Mr. Ja-hyung Lee, the oldest man in Canada, had received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, I visited him at Amenida Seniors’ Home in Surrey last Friday.

Mr. Lee will turn 111 in October this year. Although his hearing is limited, Mr. Lee was lively and he gave me a gentle smile all the time. While spending time with him, I thought I would be very happy if I could age like Mr. Lee.

Mr. Lee has lived in Surrey Amenida for 11 years now. I started to wonder what made this place so special and how it might have contributed to his long life. After a pleasant chat with him, I would like to share six secrets of longevity from Mr. Lee.

1. Home Style Food

At Surrey Amenida, residents can choose between Korean and western food for most of their meals. Although it has been more than 40 years since he moved to Canada, Korean food still makes Mr. Lee feel like he’s back home. Mr. Lee never wastes his food and he always receives his meals with gratitude.

2. Daily Exercise

Mr. Lee’s daily routine begins with a 30-minute indoor cycle ride in the gym located in the basement of Amenida. Even though he is over 100 years old, on a clear day he can be found walking on the promenade around the seniors home. For him, exercising every morning is a life principle he has been following for a long time.

3. Another Family

Mr. Lee moved to Amenida with his wife, but she passed away seven years ago. Since his other family members live far away, many were concerned about Mr. Lee being lonely. However, Mr. Lee already had another family in Amenida. He said spending his time with like-minded friends in the home makes time fly.

4. The Joy of Participating

In Amenida Surrey, Mr. Lee is famous for his excellent table tennis skills which have improved with his years of practice in Amenida’s table tennis club. These days, he is not as active as he used to be, however just a few years ago, Mr. Lee participated in as many other activities such as bingo, aerobics, and yoga.

5. Religious Life

Every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday worship service is held in the Surrey Amenida dining room with Pastor Jonathan. Mr. Lee, a faithful Christian, has been attending Sunday services every week, except in special cases, since he came to Amenida. When his wife passed away, he was able to hold a Christian funeral with the help of the Philadelphia Korean Church. The worship service in Amenida is another shelter for the heart and mind of Mr. Lee.

6. The Loving Amenida Staff

The majority of Amenida’s staff speak both English and Korean. Staff members are like children and grandchildren to Mr. Lee, and the Amenida employees also treat him like their own grandfather. Just by listening to a few words from their conversation, I could see how strong and deep their relationship is.

Before concluding the interview, I asked Mr. Lee the secret to longevity once again. Then he smiled and said that all he does is live in a comfortable place with gratitude and joy.

This August, Amenida Senior Community will open in Calgary as well. Inquiries regarding moving in can be made to 587-442-2727 or calgary@amenidaseniorliving.ca