"People hear 'retirement community' and think, 'That's where people go to die,' " Bishop says. "Instead of having bingo and a movie, the idea is to do things that actively involve residents."

To that end, Bishop's job title has been changed to "engage life director," and he and coworker Kirsten Manuel have developed programs that encourage Atria residents to get to know each other and to stay active in their community.

Bishop, a Campbell resident, came to Atria in July 2004 after 11 years with San Jose's parks and recreation department. Located in Willow Glen, Atria provides retirement and assisted living, as well as care for people with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Bishop says most of the residents at the senior community have lived their adult lives in the South Bay, although many were born elsewhere. To help residents learn about each other's backgrounds, Bishop asks them to write their hometown histories.

"Even if they only lived there for 10 or 15 years, it helped form who they are now," he says. "These are the kinds of programs I enjoy because it gets them engaged. It gets them to talk and to remember."

For Veteran's Day last year, Bishop asked Atria residents who had served in the Armed Forces for photos of themselves in uniform and brief biographies of their service records. He had these vignettes of their lives framed and hung on a wall just off Atria's lobby.

"I was looking for a good way to celebrate Veteran's Day," Bishop says. "I was a history major, and this has always interested me."

The request sparked an interest in others, recalling parts of their lives often not discussed. The photos on the wall inspired other vets to write about their war experiences.

"As soon as we finished this wall, so many more pictures and stories came in," Bishop says.

Some vets are more reticent. Bishop says this was the case with his own grandfather.

"He went through a lot and was always joking about it because he didn't like to talk about it," Bishop says. "Some folks went through the grinder in World War II."

Bishop says he'd like to develop more programs that keep Atria residents connected to the community.

"We'd like to get our residents more involved in volunteer work at food banks, community centers or homeless shelters," he says. "They say you should never stop learning, and the same concept applies to giving back. They have things to give back to the community at large."

Residents also pass the wisdom of their years along to the Atria staff.

"This job offers something new every day," Bishop says. "I can't say enough about working with this age group. I'm 29, and they've been around 60 or 70 years longer than I have. The sheer amount of knowledge they possess isn't necessarily through their schooling. They're wise and fun."

Bishop says residents teased him at a recent holiday party when they found out he couldn't cut a rug.

"The ladies are trying to give me dancing tips before my wedding in May," he says.

Besides dance bands, Bishop and Manuel bring other musicians to Atria Willow Glen each month. And residents who are more visually inclined can sign up for painting, drawing and ceramics classes.

"Ceramics has been one of our best additions because it works really well with residents who have Alzheimer's," Bishop says. "It's a tactile activity, and lots of times someone with dementia is really stimulated by touch."

Residents can also deal themselves into weekly poker and blackjack games and stay fit with tai chi and morning exercise classes.

"Exercise for the body and mind are equally important," Bishop says.

As the senior care industry becomes more competitive, Bishop notes it's imperative that retirement communities do more than just provide a wide variety of activities.

"Folks are going to vote with their dollars," he says. "From activities to food to housekeeping, people are going to want quality. People want and deserve a good home."

For more information about Atria Willow Glen, 1660 Gaton Drive, call 408.266.1660.