It was one of those perfect California evenings. The sky was a perfect blue with wisps of white clouds, and the outside temperature was perfect. The foyer of the Aegis of Ventura is imposing; the greeting from Lindsay Mehl, the marketing director, was warm and genuine. This was the evening, "Dancing in the Courtyard," that I invited all readers of the column to some weeks ago. It is the first in a series of summer concerts featuring local bands with plenty of good music and dancing.

It makes my heart feel good when I see so many older people enjoying themselves. Some were accompanied by their families, and others were there to meet new friends. This is a beautiful courtyard with its well-kept lawns and plenty of colorful flowers. The Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band was seated under a gazebo, and the musicians played their hearts out.

What could be better than sitting in a comfortable chair with a nice chilled wine and plenty of tasty hors d'oeuvres and listening to good music? Some ladies sitting close to me were tapping their feet in time to the music. They all seemed to be in their 80s.

It is interesting that the timing never seems to fade away. On the dance floor, a young girl danced with her father much to the delight of her grandmother sitting close by. Female care managers watched their residents closely, some moving the wheelchairs in time to the music. This is a place where people are genuinely cared for. It does not seem merely to be a job for these caregivers, but a calling. It was evident by watching the interaction between them.

I remember visiting an assisted-living facility several years ago. It was not an inviting place with its stark white rooms and a staff that didn't seem to care too much for their patients. Aegis is an inviting place, more like a country club setting with people who care.

When looking at an older person, it is easy to forget that they have led fulfilling lives and are unique individuals with more to contribute. Here, they are surrounded by other interesting people who have experiences to share and ideas to peruse. It is a most stimulating environment. Just to make some of their residents comfortable and feel "at home," they have a '46 Plymouth sedan parked for the gentlemen to tinker around with.

I have always been particularly interested in the way Alzheimer's patients are cared for. At Aegis of Ventura, they are treated with dignity. They have created what they call "Life's Neighbourhood." It is a form of daily living free of stress. A re-creation of a large family home of the 1940s encourages an environment of socializing in a nostalgic setting. They use a technique called "Snoezlen" (pronounced snooze-a-lin), which was developed in the mid-'80s by two Dutch occupational therapists. It has been effective for use with autistic and Alzheimer patients. Safety and security are encouraged, and care managers and patient will both experience a positive reaction.

I must say something about the food, since it is one of my preoccupations. It is not easy to cater food to the elderly. Some have lost their sense of taste and will refuse to eat anything. It is, therefore, most important to have a culinary director who can cater to their needs. I think that they have found their man in Patrick McCormack. Not only were the hors d'oeuvres delicious and varied, but the questions I asked of some of the residents also brought only positive responses.

The next program in the concert series will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 14. It will feature an evening of "Swing 4 Sale," another local band. I hope you will be able to attend. Aegis of Ventura is at 4964 Telegraph Road, Ventura. See you there.

— Star columnist Margaret Nesbitt welcomes comments and suggestions about subjects of interest to seniors. They can be sent via e-mail to undeg@verizon.net.