Holistic Wellness
The Importance of Pets to Seniors
We live in a culture that loves its pets. Whether you prefer the furry, four-legged variety or the kind with gills and fins, it doesn’t take long for a pet owner to tell you exactly what their beloved animal friend means to them. Just as you can find measurable benefits to things such as laughing…
Read MoreThe Best 5 Exercises if You’re 65 and Older
There’s a lot to consider as you age when it comes to your wellbeing. You not only have to be mindful of social wellness, but you should also be aware that physical wellness is at a critical point. At any age, physical activity keeps us feeling and looking our best. Still, when you get older,…
Read More8 Surprising Health Benefits of Laughter for Seniors
Long before a baby utters its first word, they have their first laugh. Laughter is a universal language on its own that every age, country, and culture knows and appreciates. But laughter doesn’t just feel good in the moment; there are actually short and long-term health and spiritual benefits of laughter, too. With National Let’s…
Read MoreHeart Health & Aging: American Heart Month
Every 34 seconds, someone experiences a heart attack. February is American Heart Month, and while you may already know that heart disease is the number one killer in America, were you also aware that heart disease is a major cause of disability, too? 84% percent of those 65 and older die from heart disease. Yes,…
Read MoreHow Music Can Benefit Seniors
Music is a powerful thing. Perhaps more than any other human activity, music has the ability to cross cultural boundaries and unify people with its power. However, music is especially powerful when it comes to the mental and physical well being of seniors. There is even such a thing as music therapy. In this older…
Read MoreStaying Connected Through a Public Health Crisis
Social distancing is one of the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the state of California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order mandating gatherings larger than 250 people to be canceled or postponed until at least the end of March,…
Read MoreLet’s Socialize! Tips to Boost Your Social Wellness
Whether we’re sipping wine on a Friday evening, visiting a new art exhibit or enjoying a beautiful picnic with friends, social wellness and nurturing ourselves and our relationships with other people plays an integral role in overall health and life at AlmaVia of San Rafael. July is Social Wellness Month, a time to recognize the…
Read MoreBig News For Art Therapy!
Big News For Art Therapy This week, something big happened with implications for art therapy, creativity, and research at Elder Care Alliance! First, an update from Erin Partridge, PhD, ATR-BC on art therapy and creativity in our communities and then the big announcement. Art Therapy at Elder Care Alliance Last month, I presented at the American Art…
Read MoreArt Student Shares Firsthand Experience of Intergenerational Mural Project
California College of the Arts, through ENGAGE: Mural Arts, a Diversity Studies course and community engagement program of Center for Art + Public Life, has brought together art students with a group of elders from Mercy Retirement & Care Center to create mural panels that will be installed in the community in mid-December. We spotlighted…
Read MoreThe Villa at San Mateo Promotes Holistic Wellness During Active Aging Week
Staying active can mean many different things as we age. To some people, active aging is keeping physically fit and eating in a healthful manner. To others, getting together with friends or engaging in intellectual pursuits may represent the ideal of an active life. Active Aging Week is Sept. 24 through 30, and it’s the…
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