Holistic Wellness

• Seniors Helping Seniors: The Fight to End Senior Hunger

  The Mercy Brown Bag Program not only helps fight hunger in the Bay Area—it enriches the lives of senior volunteers. Bill Shabbas and Bernice Smith aren’t used to asking for help. But when their car broke down two years ago, they didn’t know how they were going to get to the grocery store. At 71……

  January 17, 2017
• Seniors and Spirituality: Health Benefits of Faith

  

  Spirituality is a significant part of many people’s lives, and it can become even more important as we grow older. A study by the University of Chicago found belief in god tends to increase with age, especially for those older than 68. Luckily for these spiritual seniors, faith practices come with a host of health…

  January 17, 2017
• The ECA Experience: Engaging Employees, Improving Care

  

  Elder Care Alliance pioneers a barometer to help assisted living staff provide consistent care. In January, Elder Care Alliance implemented the ECA Experience, an enhanced take on the organization’s six core values: dignity, excellence, caring, prudent stewardship, collaboration and learning. The new program helps increase quality of care by ensuring that staff members are living……

  January 17, 2017
• Assisted Living: More than Medicine

  

  Staying mobile and eating well improve health outcomes in assisted living. The residents of AlmaVia of Camarillo are no couch potatoes. They spend their days learning tai chi, playing tribal drums or taking walks around the community. Activities that promote and support mobility are important because scientists have found that staying physically active and exercising……

  January 17, 2017
• An AlmaVia of Camarillo Resident’s Legacy of Love

  

  Clark Hunter grows his faith by sharing it. There are two unwavering loves in Clark Hunter’s life: a sweet, simple song and his steadfast Catholic faith. Hunter has lived at AlmaVia of Camarillo for a little over a year, bringing with him his spiritual legacy and his 25 years of experience as a lay minister……

  January 17, 2017
• Creating Connections Across Generations

  

  A local Boy Scout brings video-chat technology to senior living residents of AlmaVia of Camarillo. Every Sunday morning, 16-year-old Ben Baker video chats with his grandparents in Connecticut. They talk about what Ben is doing at school and his Boy Scout activities. “It’s great because I can talk to them and see them even though……

  January 17, 2017
• A Day Dedicated to Senior Health and Fitness

  

  Elder Care Alliance communities are coming together to celebrate holistic wellness on National Senior Health & Fitness Day. Elder Care Alliance residents never have a reason to be bored. Every community has a wide variety of activities and events designed to keep residents active and engaged. From walking clubs and gardening groups to guided meditation……

  January 17, 2017
• San Francisco Seniors Celebrating Culture, Making Connections

  

  Bay Area senior living residents connect with community members at a St. Patrick’s Day event. For a few hours every March, a little piece of Ireland comes to AlmaVia of San Francisco. Each year, the dining room fills up with residents and staff for an afternoon of traditional Irish entertainment put on by the United……

  January 17, 2017
• AlmaVia of San Francisco’s Memory Care Breakfast Club

  

  The daily memory care meeting opens up one senior living resident’s world. Jerry was a bit aloof when he first arrived at AlmaVia of San Francisco in 2012. The 93-year-old didn’t like to socialize. He didn’t say much, and he tended to keep to himself. That didn’t deter Resident Assistant Ronnie Dickens, who leads the……

  January 17, 2017
• The Benefits of Community Living for Seniors

  

  Increased social interaction can benefit senior health and wellness. Walking into the gathering room at AlmaVia of San Francisco, you might see a group of seniors participating in a book club, exercising, working on a group art project, or sipping coffee and chatting. Creating social experiences for residents is an important part of life at……

  January 16, 2017