ANDERSON: Margaret Sheets and Charlotte Hungate learned that, even in their 90s, it’s never too late to get their nails done and relax with their first facials.

“I love it,” said Sheets as her moistened hands were massaged in a quiet room at Lookworthy Face and Body Retreat. “I’m 91 years old and this is the first time I’ve ever had a facial. I went to sleep twice.”

She added, “Of course, I have arthritis so it feels good.”

Hungate, 98, was nearby in a comfy chair. Her feet rested in a whirlpool bath as she got ready for a pedicure. “This is a treat for me. I’m getting things I haven’t been getting before.”

Both women received special treatment at Lookworthy through Never Too Late, an Indianapolis-based foundation that helps make dreams come true for people over 65 who may be homebound, in nursing homes or other facilities.

“People want to meet celebrities, jump out of an airplane or meet a relative they haven’t seen in 50 years,” said Never Too Late’s founder Bob Haverstick. “They don’t have to be terminally ill to make it happen, that’s the good thing.”

The concept is much like a ‘bucket list,’ where senior citizens create wish lists for travel or adventures yet to accomplish. A year ago, Haverstick explained the organization to Bethany Christian Church’s Care Ministry. Members deliver meals or communion, among other services, to homebound congregation members such as Sheets and Hungate.

Haverstick urged the Care Ministry group, including Saralee Riggs who helps Sheets and Sharon Beltz who assists Hungate, to keep their ears open for wish lists.

Some like Hungate were hard to figure out. At 98 and never married, she said, “They had a time trying to get me to name something. They said, ‘What’s your best wish that you can think of?’ I said to stay in my house with my little dog.”

Haverstick suggested the ladies go to a spa. He worked out details with Lookworthy on discounted costs for the facial, pedicure and manicure.

As Hungate and Sheets walked into the southside salon, 1615 E. 53rd St., they were greeted by a banner reading “Charlotte and Margaret, Queens for a Day.”

Lookworthy owner Lyla Graddy said the women received a facial including a final application of sunscreen for the sunny day as well as manicure for Sheets and a pedicure for Hungate. The manicure, with an exfoliation and massage, eased Sheets’ arthritis in her hands and the pedicure helped with circulation in Hungate’s feet, the women said.

“I had my first facial today,” said Hungate. “I’ve had pedicures and manicures before but this is very relaxing.”

Never Too Late
In 1998, Bob Haverstick and radio producer Al Stone, both of Indianapolis, began a program called Heart-to-Heart connecting people with a need to anyone who could help. 

From there, Never Too Late took shape and reaches out to people in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and others, regardless of age, to help make wishes come true. Founded in 2000, Never Too Late has granted 1,721 wishes; in 2008, the organization granted 271 wishes. For information, go to www.nevertoolate.org or call (317) 823-4705. 

Contributions or donation of services can be made to Never Too Late, 8538 Tidewater Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46236.

Examples of Never Too Late’s mission:
• A Seymour woman who was a hospice patient due to breast cancer got to see the Cincinnati Reds
• A Lafayette man flew in a World War II-era biplane at the age of 80
• A 76-year-old mother of 10, who had worked her entire life and couldn’t get to Hawaii, was given a luau in the Shelbyville health care facility where she lived 

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