Elderly Adventurer George Hood, accompanied by his faithful canine companion 'Otto', is living an active and prosperous life in his advanced years.
78-Year-Old George Hood Embraces Adventure and Thrives in Aging
George Hood, a resident of Crestview Hills, has been a beacon of adventure and vitality in his golden years. At 78, Hood continues to break from routine and explore the world, a practice he began over 50 years ago.
In June of 1972, Hood embarked on an open-ended road trip that took him from his home to Baltimore and then to the Florida panhandle. Although Hurricane Agnes forced him to cut his journey short, Hood's spirit of adventure remained unbroken.
Hood volunteers at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood on Wednesdays and Fridays, but his adventures don't end there. He travels alone, often at a moment's notice, a practice he believes keeps him youthful. His road trips have taken him to various destinations, and he has plans for more in the future.
Hood's next trips include Northern Michigan, the University of Rochester, Detroit, Penn State University Park, Jekyll Island, Georgia, and Big Bay State Park in Bayfield, Wisconsin. He also plans to donate fossils to the University of Rochester and visit the Detroit Institute of Arts to learn about Henry Ford's legacy.
Hood's adventures extend beyond travel. He is a member of the Mariemont Theatre and the First United Unitarian Church in Cincinnati, where he enjoys peaceful walks, visiting the Mercantile Library or Art Museum.
Hood's dedication to adventure is not without its rewards. He won $1,500 in Road Scholar's Age Adventurously Day national contest. Road Scholar, a non-profit world leader in educational travel for older adults, has been a significant part of Hood's life for the last 25 years.
Road Scholar's latest report indicates that adventure is a key contributor to the happiness and health of aging adults. The findings indicate a strong positive relationship between adventure and well-being in older adults. Specifically, 94% of adults aged 50 to 98 who embrace adventurous activities report higher levels of well-being.
Older generations today are more adventurous than previous ones, with 75% of Gen Xers and up to 89% of Boomers and Silent Generation participants expressing that their generation embraces adventure more than their parents did. Adventure fosters a positive mindset and outlook, as exemplified by Hood.
Hood's current project is to declutter his condo, a task that he approaches with the same spirit of adventure as his travels. His journey of decluttering mirrors Road Scholar's findings that adventure is not just physical activity or travel but a broader state of mind and learning that strongly enhances mental, emotional, and social well-being among older adults.
This connection reflects a modern shift away from aging stereotypes, emphasizing that adventurous engagement in life remains vital and beneficial well into advanced age. Hood's life serves as a testament to this, demonstrating that adventure and learning are timeless pursuits that contribute significantly to a fulfilling and meaningful life, regardless of age.
[1] Road Scholar. (2021). The Power of Adventure: How Educational and Adventure Travel Can Boost Well-Being in Older Adults. Retrieved from https://www.roadscholar.org/power-of-adventure
[2] Road Scholar. (2021). George Hood Wins Age Adventurously Day National Contest. Retrieved from https://www.roadscholar.org/george-hood-wins-age-adventurously-day-national-contest
- George Hood, a resident of Crestview Hills in Northern Kentucky, resides near Cincinnati.
- Despite his age of 78, George Hood's travels, volunteer work, and involvement in local arts and culture have kept him lively.
- Among the places Hood plans to visit are Northern Michigan, the University of Rochester, Detroit, Penn State University Park, Jekyll Island, Georgia, and Big Bay State Park in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
- Hood, an avid supporter of education and health-and-wellness, enjoys frequent visits to the Mariemont Theatre, the First United Unitarian Church, the Mercantile Library, and the Art Museum in Cincinnati.
- Road Scholar, a non-profit organization, has been instrumental in Hood's life, offering educational travel opportunities that align with his lifestyle and values.
- Research from Road Scholar indicates that adventure significantly contributes to the well-being and happiness of older adults, with 94% of older adults who engage in adventurous activities reporting higher levels of well-being.
