[ HAWAII AT WORK ]

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Terry Peacock stands next to a model of Kahala Nui, a residence for seniors.

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Finding energy and joy
in a retirement setting

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Let's face it. Aging is a part of life. But aging well, that's something we need to strive for and plan. My job as marketing director of a senior living community is helping people to be realistic about their future. It's hard to imagine not being able to care for yourself. Most people want to remain in their home and live forever, but they need to plan, just as they did with their education, career and family.

Terry Peacock Title: Marketing Director Employer: Kahala Nui Life motto: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

My biggest challenge is educating people so they can get past the stigma that a retirement community is an old folks' home. Kahala Nui is exactly the opposite. The senior living community is a lively place where seniors can develop new friendships, take up new interests, and still remain close and a part of their family's lives without being a burden.

I'm responsible for managing Kahala Nui's information center and overseeing the work of our senior living counselors and the resident services manager. It's my job to ensure that Kahala Nui be a sell-out before its grand opening in February 2005.

This is not a typical sales job. I find myself reflecting on my personal life experiences, such as being a parent and not wanting to burden my daughters. My youngest is a doctor and she has already offered to care for me when the time comes and my other daughter and son-in-law have said I could move in with them. I appreciate the love and generosity of my children, but I want to maintain my dignity as long as possible and a retirement community like Kahala Nui would allow me to do that.

I understand that the decision to move to a retirement community is a highly emotional one. I've built many new relationships with the future community members and I feel like I'm a part of their family. I send them birthday cards, meet their families, and see them regularly at our monthly seminars. They are very engaging and openly share their wisdom and life experiences. Working with Kahala Nui's active seniors has helped me overcome my fear growing old.

It's a big high for me to watch Kahala Nui come together. I feel really good about giving seniors peace of mind about their future.

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"Hawaii at Work" features tell what people do for a living in their own words. Send submissions to business@starbulletin.com