What follows is a day in the life of Alma West, a resident at Island Elderly Housing, in her owns words.

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I get up early — I am a morning person and have a routine. I do most of all my own housework and everything. I cook a little less now, but still make my own meals. I try to walk a mile three days a week, going out to the Edgartown Road and back.

If I take the IEH van [Blueberry Van] in the morning to an appointment, I am always early so I don’t keep Kevin waiting. The van is a godsend. I drove my own car until last year. Never had an accident or got a ticket. I really don’t miss my car, but sometimes I look out in the parking lot expecting to see it in its space.

In the afternoons, if there isn’t a Red Sox game, sometimes I take the VTA bus into town. If I have to wait for a bus change, I never mind because I get to meet so many interesting people.

Most important — I won’t miss a Red Sox game! Many of my neighbors and I watch in the community room here. Some of them have their favorite seats that they always use to watch the game. We have a great time and know the game well. I love my neighbors and friends.

I am starting to read more again, since I have had my eyes done. I love to read. I used to be a librarian. Also I go to the Boston Symphony Fall Series with a group from the Vineyard.

On Thursdays, I go to the community dinner to be with my friends. And on nice summer evenings some of us sit outside on the porch. We also like to watch our neighbors’ cats sneak through all the flower gardens.

Two things have always helped me: feeling forever young and a good sense of humor.