Inland Resident Celebrates 103rd Birthday

Inland Christian Home works hard to provide a safe and nurturing environment where seniors can get the support they need to thrive. When residents reach the centenarian milestone, meaning they have reached 100 years or older, staff and residents enjoy helping them celebrate this remarkable achievement. Betty (Gage) Nehrig, a seven-year resident of Inland Christian Home, recently attained such a milestone when she turned 103 on February 22nd. The facility was honored to help her commemorate the day by throwing her a surprise party in the Friendship Center where her friends and staff, along with a few special guests, gathered to help her memorialize the occasion.

The city of Ontario joined in on the action by including the local police department in the festivities. On the day of the party, several squad cars pulled up in front of Betty’s cottage to provide her with a police escort to her party. Police officers approached Betty in a mock effort to “arrest” her but instead escorted her to the gathering, where she was honored with a celebration just for her. “They were so nice,” Betty said about her police escorts, “even when they pulled out their handcuffs like they were going to arrest me.”

Throughout her 103 years, Betty has lived an active life. Although she was born only 3 miles from Inland Christian Home, she spent many years in Ventura County with her husband where she managed their one-and-a-half-acre property before finally moving back to the area. She was also an avid golfer in her younger days, playing her favorite sport until she was 93, which helped keep her mind and body active and fit. It is precisely this sort of active lifestyle to which she attributes her impressive longevity.

When asked what advice she would give to someone about achieving the longevity that comes not only from becoming a centenarian (plus some), but also staying fit, active and alert at this remarkable age, she said the key is to keep busy. “Just keep moving,” she says, “and do the things you like to do.”

Betty has clearly taken her own advice to heart. These days, she continues to keep herself busy by taking advantage of Inland Christian Home’s community, services, and activities. She does her own cooking most days but gets food from the dining hall when she feels like taking a break. She plays cards with her friends, attends social events at the Friendship Center, and three days a week she joins the exercise group that meets in the Fitness Center on campus.

She feels the campus offers plenty of opportunities to stay busy, active and social, and it is up to the individual to decide what they want to make of it. ICH is honored to have residents like Betty Nehrig and many more like her who are committed to enjoying their golden years and are proud to provide them with a safe and supportive setting that allows them to live their best lives.