Ham Radio Connects Retirement Community to World

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/09/13 - Updated: 2025/02/15
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Disability Communication - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: When Grant Bagley and his wife decided to make the move to a retirement community, he believed he would have to give up ham radio, a lifelong hobby of his.

Why it matters: This article provides an insightful look into how amateur radio, often called ham radio, can serve as a vital communication tool for individuals in retirement communities, particularly those with disabilities or seniors. It discusses the story of Grant Bagley, who, upon moving to a retirement home, feared he would have to abandon his passion for ham radio. However, he found a community of like-minded enthusiasts at Collington, a Continuing Care Retirement Community, where together they established a ham radio station. This setup not only allows residents to engage in a hobby that keeps their minds active and socially connected but also doubles as a critical emergency communication system. The piece highlights how ham radio can be more than just a leisure activity; it's a lifeline during crises, offering a unique blend of social interaction, educational benefits, and practical utility, especially when traditional communication methods fail. This narrative underscores the broader potential of ham radio to enrich the lives of those in retirement or with disabilities, providing them with a means to maintain engagement with the outside world and each other - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

A feature story in the new edition of Guide to Retirement Living Source-Book reveals how residents of one retirement community have used Amateur Radio, often called "ham radio," to maintain purpose, friendship and even their own health.

Main Item

When Grant Bagley and his wife decided to make the move to a retirement community, he believed he would have to give up ham radio, a lifelong hobby of his. The retired physician and attorney said he thought at the time, "I may have to give that up, but I can replace it with other things." Fortunately, his community, Collington, had plenty of other activities and interesting new friends to keep Grant occupied.

But not long after moving to the Continuing Care Retirement Community in suburban Washington, D.C., Grant connected with several other residents who were also hams. Working with these individuals, Grant has helped set up a fully functional Amateur Radio center in the extensive wood-shop at Collington. Not only will the radio station provide a venue for the enthusiasts, but as Grant said, "It will serve as an integral part of the emergency communications systems in the county."

When an emergency strikes, even if internet and phone systems are still working, they are often overloaded as everyone tries to use them at once.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is a nationwide program of the ARRL - the national association for Amateur Radio. It provides Amateur Radio communications for critical organizations in emergencies. Emergency Management Centers, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, FEMA, CERT, National Weather Service, many hospitals and others have formal agreements with the hams.

Ham radio volunteers have been lifesavers in the Haitian earthquake, Japanese tsunami, and in many hurricanes and tornadoes in the United States.

Despite this, it was a personal connection with a resident in the community's nursing and rehabilitation section that really opened the door to a meaningful purpose for the radio. Grant was recently approached by another resident with vision problems who told him, "I've lost my sight and the worst thing is I have nobody to talk to. I should have never gotten rid of my ham radio license."

Without hesitation, Grant had responded "Let's get you one again and you'll have all the people you want to talk to."

Grant is working to help him study for the FCC tests needed to earn an Amateur Radio license. When discussing this connection, Grant could not help but beam with enthusiasm, saying, "He's going to be up here, so it's growing; it's great."

Grant continued, saying;

"People think that ham radio is not as viable a hobby, but in this age of the Internet, it's even more so." This is right on track with American Radio Relay League, the national association for Amateur Radio in the United States. According to Allen Pitts at the ARRL's national headquarters, there are over 695,000 ham radio licensees in the United States today - more than ever before. Approximately 30,000 new hams earn their first licenses each year. "Collington is an excellent example of creative thinking in a retirement community. Their inclusion of Amateur Radio opens the doors to hands-on learning about wireless communication, provides social interaction in a most enjoyable hobby and also can quickly become a functional emergency communications option for residents."

While this may be a unique activity when compared to other retirement communities throughout the country, Collington is known for a robust list of activities all driven by a highly intelligent and diverse group of residents.

Whether individuals are building and racing model sailboats or playing on the competitive croquet team, the community supports thinking creatively. "Collington is full of interesting people who really know how to live into life. We're all extremely active and very social. It's easy to find new friends", says long-time resident Marion Henry, who chairs two committees at Collington.

Guide to Retirement Living Source-Book founder and publisher, Steve Gurney, said;

"We are thrilled to spotlight this unique and positive way of engaging residents in a retirement community. Stories like these help us break the stigma of life in a senior living community and they offer inspiration to seniors and families that this is the best time in life to engage in purposeful activities."

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.