Now 86 years of age, Josephine “Jo” Dellaripa volunteers at the Reno Rodeo every year, exercises every day, and is now is now learning how to be TV personality. And that is just one of the things that keep Dellaripa happy and healthy.
Jo laughs remembering an adventure in New Zealand, just two years ago.
She went bungee jumping.
She was 84.
"I never got frightened or anything. I thought, I'm not frightened, it's an experience and I'll do it." That, in a nutshell, is the philosophy Jo is hoping to encourage other seniors to embrace.
“I think the first step is to join something. Join a club or join an activity - and see that you're not alone,” Jo explains with sincerity.
Kerri McKenzie Corrao met Jo at the Paradise Park, where Corrao is Recreation Leader: "I just love her and she's a wonderful person and a great inspiration for others."
Besides being an active participant - and sometimes leader of - the “Sit and Be Fit” classes at Paradise Park, Jo is co-host of a new local TV show called Aging & Awesome...meant to enrich the lives of the elderly community in northern Nevada.
"We're very, very conscious of seniors here and we do a lot for seniors,” says Jo. “And I try to spread the word as much as I can - by showcasing myself and saying 'look it - I'm doing it, you can do it, too."
Show creator and co-host Ky Sisson says Aging & Awesome also deals with the realities that seniors and their families are facing; "Very real challenges. Things like when is it time to call hospice? Or what is ageism? And why is ageism detrimental to our community?"
Jo says she's always been naturally energetic, and wants others to enjoy all the healthy benefits that come with staying active; "You'll find that you'll feel better and you'll start to get more energy because of that - it's almost like it feeds you.”
You can catch the show Aging & Awesome Saturdays at 7:00pm on KTVN 2 News.
Click link for more on the show - https://agingandawesome.com/
