In every edition we will spotlight an Oakland County senior who epitomizes the value that seniors give to our community. Although many older persons are frail and need our attention, many more seniors are vibrant and could out-pace someone half their age. Vitality is a trait that is ageless and timeless.
Many folks with chronic disease and physical challenges transcend barriers to create music, invent new techniques, and break the frontiers of science and medicine. Many seniors go on to second careers late in their lives. In fact, some of the finest paintings and music were created by talented artists well beyond their seventies. For our Inaugural edition we have chosen Dell Warner, Senior News reporter for WDIV-TV, Channel 4. Her "Coming of Age" segment appears Mondays at noon on Channel 4; and her weekly seniors column also appears in the Detroit Free Press, Body and Mind Section.
Dell Warner will tell you that television is a young person's business, filled with hair-sprayed model types who want to become the next Katie Couric. That is, right before she runs out the door to her next on air interview, which she'll see through from beginning to end. Warner started doing senior issues because it was a way to continue her career in television when most on-air personalities would have retired. "I could no longer fit into any other spot. This is a young person's business. But now it's become a passion for me. I love the fact that I'm giving help in my job. I love advocating for seniors," said Warner.
Her work has been recognized with two Emmys and awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Press Club Foundation. The Michigan Legislature has honored Dell for her work with seniors. Warner has had a colorful career. She was a singer and dancer and worked on Broadway with Ethel Merman and Fernando Lamas. Warner isn't sitting on her laurels or living in the past. She has future plans and hopes to go national with her seniors reporting. Her future plans don't include retiring to some condo in a warm climate. "Retire? Retire to what? To do what? No I'm still useful here. My life is my work and I'm blessed. I thrive on the energy of the newsroom. I like being with the younger folks. You know, getting older is no kick. There's a lot to worry about. But being here, I'm useful. I'm active. It makes me feel good," she said.
Dell believes that one of her biggest achievements has been changing the way people view seniors, especially in the newsroom where she works. "They no longer look at seniors as stereotypes. I can match anyone toe to toe. I'm not sitting in a rocking chair. I'm not only bringing the news. I make it and I'm part of it." Dell Warner has also educated many seniors on important issues impacting their daily lives. Recently she worked with Oakland County and a local senior center as well as local officials to provide a series on the West Nile Virus and what seniors can do to protect themselves. It was very well received. We then teamed up to produce videotapes for display at local senior centers and immunization clinics across the county. Dell continues to be a valuable asset to our seniors and our communities in Oakland county and elsewhere. An Oakland County resident, Dell has two sons, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two dogs, and two cats. Our thanks to a dynamo named Dell!
In every edition we will spotlight an Oakland County senior who epitomizes the value that seniors give to our community. Although many older persons are frail and need our attention, many more seniors are vibrant and could out-pace someone half their age. Vitality is a trait that is ageless and timeless.