MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — Every Wednesday at the Schnurmann House independent living community, 77-year-old Jim Haywood takes a walk to the social center for a day of fun.
"I start about about 11 o'clock. I come over here and just about spend the day cheering everyone on," Jim tells us.
The people he's cheering on? They're his best friends. Some are in their 60s and 70s; many of them are in their 80s and 90s and beyond.
They meet up at fitness classes and Wii Bowling sessions. Jim is always there to ring a bell if someone gets a strike. No matter their age, background, or race, they support one another, and always have fun.
"We have a good time, we really do," Jim says. "Really good time."
Their happiness and ease around one another is one of the secrets, they say, to longevity.
"All the friendly people," 95-year-old Alice Sell mentioned. "I mean, and we have so many activities. I join in all of them."
Juanita Fish, 93, agrees. She tells us she's not one to sit still.
"What do you do, sit there and vegetate? That's crazy," she declared. "No, no, you've got to get up and do things. You've got to be active!"
Beyond the wonderful friendships they've made, there's a deep comradery among tenants and volunteers, celebrated for their enthusiasm and dedication to the job.
Joanne Eloff, also 93, has been volunteering here for 10 years. Like many of her friends at Schnurmann, she says the good morale here starts at the top.
"Howard and all the help here? They're great," she gushed
"Howard's wonderful," Juanita added. "The staff's wonderful."
Howard Berlas is who the tenants and volunteers are talking about. He's the executive director of Schnurmann, and he knows every single person here.
When we visited the Schnurmann House, Howard was greeting a 107-year-old tenant. He didn't just wave "hello." He got on his knees, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and asked her this: "What's the secret of long life? Eating a McDonald's bacon burger?"
The two shared a chuckle, then a hug. He cares about her and everyone in this community.
"We have about 250 people that live here, and 27 of them are 90 or older," Howard explained. "It's like a nice family here: People get along, people take care of each other, people watch out for each other."
That includes his staff, and he says he knows this place wouldn't run without them.
"There's nothing I have them do that I wouldn't do — I've been here on holidays, I've pulled trash, I've mopped floors," Howard recounted. "I love this job."
The "Fountain of Youth" is something most of us wonder about: where it is, how to find it, and if it really exists.
But the truth is, you may not have to go far to find it. All you have to do is find a place that makes you happy, people who support you, and surround yourself with love.
Before we said goodbye to Jim for the day, he passed a friend. She said to him, "You're the best. You are the best. You are."
For the Schnurmann House, love is all they need.