Meet Your Future Neighbors: The Langenbachers

Anita and David Langenbacher moved to Tennessee about 13 years ago after being lifelong  Californians. Both were born in Los Angeles County in Southern California. They met in  Sylmar during high school and were dating and present at the time of the famous Sylmar  earthquake in 1971. In fact, they have borne witness to many earthquakes over the years  and have fortunately emerged unscathed (though they cannot say the same for some of  their homes!). One experience that David recalls in particular was being in a high-rise  building in San Francisco during an earthquake and looking out the window to see buildings  around him bowing and swaying, then being part of a collective of people in those buildings  watching one another having the same experience. “It changes your perception of Earth,”  says David. 

Despite this “shaky” start, Anita and David got married in 1972 when both were 19 years  old. David had gone into the Air Force just before they got married, and they were stationed  in Sacramento for the first four years of their marriage. While there, Anita managed a dental  office. David started his undergraduate degree at Sacramento State, earning his associate  degree while still in the service and then completing his bachelor’s degree in business  (marketing) after he completed his service. He went to work as an underwriter for Aetna  Life and Casualty in Sacramento and then changed fields within the company, which took  the couple to the San Francisco area. 

Anita and David lived in a small town called Pacheco and commuted to San Francisco,  where they both worked (she managed a different dental office). They lived in the Bay Area  for about 14 years, and both of their children were born there. When the kids were still quite  young, the Langenbachers moved back to Southern California to be closer to family. Anita  worked for the Castaic Union School District, first as a school office manager and then in  the District Office. David stayed in insurance but changed to the regulatory side, working for  the California Department of Insurance. It was an idyllic situation: their kids got to grow up  near family and in particular with cousins near the same age. Anita enjoyed working for her  kids’ school district, and David liked still being in the insurance industry and felt good  about working on behalf of consumers. 

They both retired in 2010 and started to think about what was next. Their daughter was  married and in Tennessee; their son was at UCLA doing science research. Thinking a grandchild  might be an imminent possibility in Tennessee, the couple opted for a move east to  Columbia, TN. The prediction was correct, and they soon welcomed a grandson whom they  have gotten to spend lots of time with. The Langenbachers’ luck increased again when their  son decided to relocate to Tennessee as well. He moved here about a year ago and works  for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The family all see one another regularly. “It  couldn’t be better,” says Anita.

For fun, the Langenbachers have always enjoyed travel. They have traveled across the  country several times and “have been blessed to spend weeks and sometimes months out  on the road,” says David. They often pulled a travel trailer but have enjoyed bus tours and  cruises as well. The national parks are a favorite, especially in the southwest. In fact, having  been able to “launch” from California, they have traveled extensively in the southwest and  have been fortunate to see many historic Native American sites and dwellings. David also  was able to do an in-depth tour of remote New Mexico on horseback while Anita  simultaneously enjoyed the New Mexican environs through her own loves of art and music.  International destinations have been a part of David and Anita’s travel itinerary as well.  David has been an avid scuba diver since he was a teen, and the couple has traveled to  Belize, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Tahiti, and Fiji in pursuit of this passion. Another highlight  was a trip to Israel with their church.  They are now active at Calvary Chapel Columbia.  They host Adult Bible Study in their home weekly.  This is something they would love to continue once they are residents at Belle Springs. 

The Langenbachers love to play games–board games, card games, party games, you name  it. They have become known for this and for years have hosted an alcohol-free New Year’s  Eve party that people wholeheartedly enjoy, including “the most valuable prizes that Dollar  General has to offer,” laughs David. “We just love socializing,” adds Anita. 

When the Langenbachers received a postcard from Belle Springs inviting them to be part of  a focus group, they were quite interested in learning about the facility. Anita’s parents had  lived in a wonderful Life Plan community in Arizona, and the experience left a very  positive impression on Anita and David. They had watched Anita’s parents as their needs  changed and liked that they were able to be with one another even if they were not living at  the same level of care. The Langenbachers want a similar environment for themselves, one  that is stable and that they will grow to be comfortable in before it may be needed. They  have found this in Belle Springs. “It’s peace of mind for us as a couple and peace of mind  for our kids,” says Anita. 

After they move, David is looking forward to staying active with ease by having a gym and a  pool on the premises. Recent health issues have made it so that he no longer drives, which  has been isolating, so he is also very interested in the social environment. Though she is  content that the move is still a couple of years down the road, Anita knows it will be a good  thing. They currently have a large house and property to maintain, and she realizes this will only get more  challenging as the years pass. She also notes how accommodating and friendly the Belle  Springs staff have been and that when they run into them around town, “it’s like seeing a  friend…it’s been a good experience.”

Discover Your Personal Pathway to Wellness

With a modern fitness center, outdoor and indoor pools, pickleball courts and a day spa all on site, it’s clear that nurturing residents’ wellness is a priority at Belle Springs. Exceptional fitness amenities aside, residents can count on highly personalized wellness programming that goes beyond physical activity to support independence and a high quality of life.

“Our vision for wellness at Belle Springs is so much more than exercise,” said Brittany Austin, National Director of Health and Wellness for Functional Pathways, the expert team that will bring Pathways to Wellness programming to life. “We have all the ingredients to create a meaningful wellness program, but what it ultimately looks like will evolve over time as the community grows and we collect more resident input.”

That means even before you move in, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with a wellness guide who will explore your personal goals and assess how your current lifestyle habits align with the seven dimensions of wellness (physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, occupational and environmental).

In addition to creating customized wellness plans for each resident, the wellness director will develop programming tailored to residents’ needs and interests. For example, group classes that promote strength, flexibility and balance will be offered initially, but ongoing resident feedback will drive the ultimate schedule, which may include special interests like yoga or Zumba.

To complement diverse fitness classes, wellness programming will also encompass lifelong learning opportunities and collaboration with therapy and other interdisciplinary team members, all with the goal of helping residents thrive in place.