What’s happening?
Highfields retirees Ted and Babs Jacobs are showing how staying active can support independence later in life.
The couple live at Carinity Brownesholme retirement village in Highfields and remain committed to their health, mobility and wellbeing.
Ted’s fitness journey began after his first hip replacement.
“The doctor said I could go to a physio every day, or go to the gym,” Ted recalls.
He chose the gym and began rebuilding his strength after work each day. Ted said he has kept going because “it’s just part of who I am now.”
Babs joined him soon after. She credits her strength and mobility with helping her recover from breast cancer and back surgery.
Today, the couple continue to prioritise movement through regular exercise and active daily habits, including choosing to “park and walk” during errands.
Why it matters?
Their story shows that active ageing is not only about fitness.
For Ted and Babs, movement has helped protect their independence, confidence and connection to community.
They still manage their own care, look after their home, drive independently and move without mobility aids.
Local Impact
At Carinity Brownesholme, Ted and Babs’ routine offers a real example for other Highfields retirees.
Their daily choices show how small habits can support a full and independent life.
Ted still mows the lawn and tends the garden. The couple also enjoy their routines, their home and an active social life.
By the numbers
• At 91 and 88, Highfields retirees Ted and Babs Jacobs continue to live independently and stay active.
• Ted has continued going to the gym since 1985, after recovering from his first hip replacement.
• The couple now train at their local Highfields gym twice a week, focusing on strength, mobility and cardio.
Source: Carinity
Zoom In
Ted’s recovery after hip surgery became the start of a lifelong habit.
After three months on crutches, he found his muscles had weakened. Returning to work was difficult.
The gym helped him rebuild strength, balance and confidence. That choice became a lasting part of his life.
For Babs, the same commitment helped her through serious health challenges. She links her recovery from breast cancer and back surgery to staying strong and mobile.
Zoom Out
Their story reflects a wider message about ageing with vitality.
Mobility means independence. Strength means confidence. Activity means connection.
Ted and Babs show that consistent movement can help older people keep doing what matters most.
What To Look For Next?
Ted and Babs are expected to keep building their lives around movement, routine and community.
Their example may also encourage more seniors in Highfields to see activity as a path to independence, not just exercise.