In Netflix’s comedy series A Man on the Inside, a lonely widower named Charles, played by Ted Danson, responds to an ad in the Help Wanted section of his local newspaper. He ends up going undercover at a retirement community, tasked with solving the mystery of who stole another resident’s necklace. And while it may sound like another story out of Hollywood, the show is actually based on a true story inspired by a Chilean man, Sergio Chemy, who was actually hired to go undercover at a retirement community.

A Man on the Inside touches on important themes of loneliness, isolation, and friendship for aging adults, sparking important conversations in an approachable and light-hearted way. So, what exactly does the show get right about senior living? We break it down, with spoiler alerts, in this blog.

When Charles first enters the community, we see him hesitate to reach out to others. In one scene, he chooses to forgo breakfast after seemingly becoming overwhelmed with finding a group to sit with. Later in the day, two residents knock at his door, offering a warm welcome and inviting him to join in their happy hour.

Moving into senior living can be a big change for many. There may be some moments of struggle or hesitation as you settle in, but everyone who is there has been through exactly what you are going through. This understanding creates empathy and results in a welcoming atmosphere where people look out for one another.

Charles, an outgoing and affable retired professor, seems to find his groove pretty quickly. And it’s not just part of the plot. Common experiences and interests help to create bonds, and this is exactly what we see in the friendships that he forms. At his retirement community, he finds others who understand the challenges that aging brings: fellow widowers, parents, and retirees.

When difficulties arise, like the death of a friend or the decline in the health of another resident, Charles and his friends come together. They support one another, offer advice, and talk things through.

Charles and his fellow residents are often seen leaving the community. In one episode, he takes his friend Cal on a tour of the city—stopping at a baseball game, visiting a park, and taking in the sites. This perfectly reflects the freedom that independent living residents have. You can come and go as you please, leaving for a couple of hours to grab dinner off campus or for a few months to escape the winter.

There are a lot of moments that highlight the resident-driven atmosphere of senior living communities. There is a resident advisory board that discusses everything from security to food and shares their concerns and ideas with the staff. We also see Charles being told that if any of his interests aren’t reflected in the current activity schedule, there are opportunities to get them on campus. From input on larger, community-wide issues to decisions in their own day-to-day, residents have a say in it all, just like here at Holland Home.

Throughout the series, we see a lot of tender moments between the staff, volunteers, and residents. None maybe more so than with Didi, the director of the community. In a few scenes, we see her overcome with emotion, lying on the floor of her office with the sound of waves playing through her headphones. You can tell that she deeply cares for the happiness and well-being of her residents. 

While our own staff members may not be lying on the floor listening to the calming sounds of waves, they are incredibly passionate about the work they do. The relationships that we are able to build are one of the most remarkable things about the work we do, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to have a career where the impact goes both ways.

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Ready to learn more about the reality of senior living?

Give us a call at (616) 643-2730 or email info@hollandhome.org.