Welcome to the era of super-aging. The U.N. estimates that half of today’s 5-year-olds can expect to live to 100. That is potentially exciting news, but only if we can enjoy those years. William J. Kole, author of The Big 100: The New World of Super-Aging, thinks he has found some answers.

Kole met Jeanne Calment who, at the time, was considered the oldest person who ever lived. Kole’s biggest takeaway was not Calment’s diet or exercise routine but her incredibly positive attitude. “This was a woman who liked to crack jokes at 121.”  Kole notes that a study found those who were positive about their aging lived 7.5 years longer than those who had negative beliefs.

Research also shows that people with a sense of meaning wind up living longer and having better overall physical health. Kole suggests a learner’s mindset can help you identify what makes life worth living. “She took fencing lessons when she was 85 years old,” he says of Calment. “She recorded a rap album at 120.” Kole suggests, “Having something to get up in the morning for, a reason to live, actually adds life and vigor, mentally and physically.”

Kole also notes that, “Faith adds years to our lives. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam… studies have been done to suggest that people who have a religious belief tend to live up to five and a half years longer than people who don’t.” But faith and spirituality do not always have religious ties. “Simply relinquishing your burdens to forces greater than yourself can make a difference in your longevity,” Kole shares.

In summary, eating well and exercising are good for us all. Having a positive attitude, a sense of purpose and a faith practice, though, are common traits among super-agers, and they may be even more important. Those might seem easy to do, but putting them into practice takes intention – and pays big dividends!

How did you sleep last night? If your answer is, “not that great,” you are not alone. According to the CDC, experiencing problems falling, or staying, asleep are common among adults over age 65. It turns out that there are legitimate reasons for this challenge and sleep doctors know exactly what to do about them.

Sleep medicine physician, Dr. Audrey Wells, MD, notes that our bodies produce less melatonin (that chemical that helps us sleep) as we age.  She also said that light sensitivity is lower with age and that effects our circadian rhythm. Wells adds that daytime napping can impact sleep too and that it is common to have to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Plus, she notes that seniors may experience mood issues (like depression, anxiety, and grief) more frequently due to “changes in living situations, loss or health concerns.”

So, it is not our fault, but what can we do about it? Well, here are four tips for sleeping more soundly. Stick to a consistent schedule by waking up and going to bed around the same time each day and avoiding napping. Try to get at least 15 minutes of sunlight on your face each day to help regulate your melatonin. Boost activity levels during the day with exercise that increases heart rate and includes strength training, balance, and flexibility. Last, make sure the temperature in your bedroom is approximately 65°F.

That all sounds surprisingly good, and we live in an environment where each is relatively easy to do. So, if you find yourself not sleeping well, follow those four simple doctors’ orders. You will find it more effective, and easier, than counting sheep. Here is wishing you a good night’s sleep tonight!

by Donna Berry Glass, Marin Magazine July 26, 2024 –

The Redwoods, an affordable, vibrant senior living community in Mill Valley, held its Springtime at The Redwoods: A Celebration of Mothers benefit on May 16 on its beautiful 10-acre grounds. 200 supporters attended and raised $240,000 towards the nonprofit’s new memory care center.

Guests Delighted in International Fare and Inspirational Music

Attendees, which included special guests Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Urban Carmel, Jed Smith, Ray Kaliski and Grace Hughes, feasted on fare prepared by The Redwoods’ in-house dining services provider Unidine. The dinner included an assortment of international cuisines that consisted of a carving station with duck and steak, plus an assortment of paella, pastas and Asian-themed fare. Guests also enjoyed an acoustical performance by Heléna Tietze, a music therapist with a passion for working with older adults experiencing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The Tamalpais High Jazz Combo performed during the event’s reception hour.

A New Era of Memory Care

The evening’s keynote speaker, Cynthia Davis, shared her heartwarming story of moving her mother from The Redwoods due to her mom’s need for more secure care — but, thanks to the new memory care center, was able to relocate her mother back to The Redwoods, where her mom will receive the care she needs while being surrounded by the community she loves, including familiar friends and staff.

“This springtime celebration, in addition to the outpouring of support for the creation of our new Memory Care Center at The Redwoods, was inspiring and affirming,” said J. Hunter Moore, CEO of The Redwoods. “Our unique and creative approach, which preserves the open and free-flowing nature of our community, is the critical final piece to the spectrum of accommodations and services we offer.”

Moore added, “the only reason a resident had to leave us during my tenure was due to her need for care in a secure area. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the thoughtfulness of our team, that will no longer be a concern. We are all — residents, families, team members and related parties—truly excited about offering assisted living memory care here.”

The Redwoods Thanks Its Sponsors

The evening’s sponsors included Harbor Point Charitable Foundation, Grace Hughes, JMC Construction, Pacific Inpatient Medical Group, and Unidine.

For more information on The Redwoods, please visit the redwoods.org.

Photos: Fred Larson

Now is an enjoyable time to be a senior. Older Americans are among the happiest people in the world, coming in 10th on Gallup’s worldwide happiness rankings.  That compares to a 62^nd rank for younger citizens. Researchers have long pointed out that old age is better than most may think. This might be surprising to readers, but a recent study helps clarify the issue.

The study indicated that psychological well-being plays out over a lifetime in a U-curve. Happiness usually starts high in youth, drops during the stresses of middle age, and picks back up after around age 55. The younger end of the curve is changing in America, as younger people are showing higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide but the upswing after seniors continues.

One reason is that older people are, overall, doing better financially. According to a Bloomberg report, seniors hold 30% of the country’s wealth. Retirees also get a form of universal basic income, via Social Security, which is adjusted for inflation. Further, nearly 80% of adults age 65 and over own their homes and that means they were better protected from inflation.

Also, seniors reported having more social support and were less lonely than the young, even though they had fewer social connections. Seniors were more likely to answer “yes” when Gallup asked if they have a friend, they can call on in a time of need than younger respondents. Social bonds have been shown to be a key factor in happiness.

It is important to note that the Gallup poll was conducted from 2021 -2023. This was a time when younger respondents were still emerging from the isolation of the pandemic, and many were not able to go to school in-person. So hopefully the younger respondents will soon return to higher ratings of their happiness. That said, it is still pretty encouraging to see that being a senior, with the right financial plans and social support, can be a happy period of life. Here is hoping it certainly is for you.

At any age, the dating scene can be daunting. If you are a single senior, by now you have learned a great deal about people, and it might be easier for you. You are more accepting of your own idiosyncrasies and those of others. There is, however, one area you might be overlooking. Did you know that sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates have risen sharply among seniors?

The CDC’s latest statistics show that STDs that have skyrocketed since 2000 and are infecting people aged 55 and older at an alarming rate. In 2022, there were 19,766 Chlamydia cases among Americans aged 55 and older, 5,160 reported cases of Syphilis, 1,041 cases of Hepatitis C and 18,804 of Gonorrhea.  According to CDC charts, the state with the highest HIV diagnoses among seniors in 2021 was Florida with 585 cases, but California followed with 453 cases.

Experts believe STD cases among older Americans may be higher because of the sex education they received, or did not get, as adolescents. In an interview with NBC News, Texas A&M professor Matthew Lee Smith claimed that STD cases in seniors may be influenced by how they were taught. “Back in the ’30s, the ’40s, the ’50s, traditional school wasn’t really doing sexual education.”

We are, however, social animals. Having a close, loving relationship has been shown to be a key influencer in happiness among seniors and a primary factor of overall physical and cognitive health. Practicing safe sex is important, but it is not a conversation most seniors are comfortable having with their children or even most friends. If you are dating though, and intend to take things to an intimate level, before you do, please find someone you can trust (like your primary care physician or a close confidant) and have “the talk.” Here is wishing you a fun, fulfilling and safe dating experience.

Hospice care is an undeniably challenging subject to discuss, yet its importance, particularly as someone approaches the end of life, cannot be overstated. Addressing the realities of terminal illness and the emotional toll that it takes on people and their loved ones requires great sensitivity, as well as compassion. Hospice care provides a supportive framework that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and quality of life in the final stages of a person’s journey.

Receiving hospice care can provide comfort and compassionate support for hospice clients, as well as their family members, during a truly difficult time. A Medicare-certified hospice provider must meet certain criteria to engage in the provision of such services. Depending on the individual needs and circumstances, these services can be provided in a skilled nursing facility, an inpatient hospice facility, an assisted living facility, and even at home with the help of family members and/or full-time caregivers.

A Medicare-certified hospice agency currently can provide four levels of services which includes inpatient hospice, home hospice, respite hospice, and continuous homecare. Hospice agencies employ teams of doctors, clinicians, caregivers, and counselors who are trained to provide myriad services such as symptom control, pain management as well as emotional and spiritual support.

This allows hospice clients and their families to spend quality time together while also receiving guidance and support throughout the end-of-life journey.

The First Level of Hospice Care Is Inpatient Hospice

Inpatient hospice care is typically the first level of care individuals receive when beginning their hospice journey. Many can benefit from round-the-clock nursing care and support in an inpatient facility setting, such as a hospital or dedicated hospice center like the Grove at The Redwoods. Hospice recipients and their family members will receive routine home care as well as emotional support for difficult decisions that may arise during end-of-life care.

The Second Level of Hospice Care Is Home Hospice

Home hospice, the second level of hospice care, allows hospice clients to receive continuous and routine home care services. This gives them the comfort of remaining in their own homes while being cared for by a multidisciplinary team of professionals such as nurses, doctors, and other specialists. Furthermore, home hospice provides great support so that family caregivers can spend quality time with their loved ones.

Home care visits are especially helpful when symptoms require extra attention from a professional; hospice staff can provide person-specific treatments and extra monitoring as needed.

The Third Level of Hospice Care Is Respite Hospice

Respite hospice care is the third level of hospice care and is designed to provide short-term, continuous care in a hospital or nursing facility for hospice clients while temporarily relieving their family caregiver(s) from providing around-the-clock care at home.

This level includes routine medical attention from doctors and nurses, medical social services to keep the person comfortable, and specific types of pain control that may not be available with routine care.

Bereavement counseling is also offered to family members both before and after the hospice client’s passing. The purpose of respite hospice care is to allow family caregivers to take regular breaks while ensuring that the hospice client receives all necessary care.

The Fourth and Final Level of Hospice Care Is Continuous Homecare

Continuous home care is the most intense level of hospice care, providing medical support around the clock for hospice clients with severe medical needs. It involves medical interventions to control and relieve extreme pain, allowing the individual to maintain a good quality of life while their condition progresses.

Although this blog post is only a high-level overview of the complex subject of hospice care, our hope is that this may serve as a conversation starter. Grappling with impending loss of life is a deeply emotional and jarring experience, to the say least. Working with a hospice agency to alleviate some of that burden can help provide more opportunities to create meaningful memories during the most challenging moments of life. Simply stated, the primary objective of hospice care is to help individuals spend their remaining time in a peaceful environment, and to help maintain quality of life. By acknowledging the difficult reality of death, we can reframe the conversation to what can be done to give what each person deserves, a good end.

The Redwoods awards eight Marin County graduating seniors a total of $32,000. Speaker Louetta Erlin is pictured. Photo courtesy of The Redwoods.

POSTED BY: SARA BRISCOE MOSELEY – MARIN IJ – JUNE 13, 2024

For more than 30 years, The Redwoods scholarship committee has raised funds and granted awards to graduating high school senior class members  in Marin. This year, the committee awarded eight students a total of $32,000.

The Scholarship Committee is composed of nine members led by residents Louetta Erlin and Sylvia Schwartz. Winners are selected based on several criteria including academic achievement, activities in the community, jobs, classes, awards, and financial need. This year’s recipients are:

• Cade Palmer, Novato High School
• Dean Gustavson, Tamalpais High School
• Lana Johnson, Terra Linda High School
• Noela DeFrenza, San Marin High School
• Sebastian Vigil, San Rafael High School
• Surabhi Chinta, Novato High School
• Taylor Lapic, Novato High School
• Zunirah Ishfaq, Tamalpais High School

“The future of so many high school students who have a strong desire to succeed have sacrificed so much to earn a scholarship no matter how small. The Redwoods annual Scholarship Awards help students with books and tuition, and I am so proud to support them,” said Redwoods resident Barbara Lombardi.

Regarding senior housing options, the choice between independent living and assisted living is an important decision for seniors and their families. Each option offers unique benefits and accommodations tailored to individual needs. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key distinctions between independent living and assisted living, covering everything from accommodations and community life to medical services and costs. By the end of this article, you will be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision about the best fit for your loved ones.

Accommodations in independent living vs. assisted living

Retirement communities that offer independent living often feature a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The accommodations are designed to give seniors a sense of autonomy and privacy while being part of a larger community. These options are designed to provide comfort and accessibility to meet the demands of an active lifestyle and provide a soft safety net of security. Many do not include meals or services in the monthly fee, but they offer a variety of life enrichment programs, transportation services and possibly some in-home services for an additional fee. In contrast, assisted living facilities typically offer only apartment-style living arrangements with meals, housekeeping linens and additional support and care services often included in a base fee and other levels of care and services available for an additional monthly or daily fee. Assisted living apartments are equipped with features like grab bars and emergency call systems to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. Many include a secure area for residents with memory issues.

Ready to explore independent and assisted living options further?

When considering a retirement community, it’s essential to evaluate the design and layout of the private area within the type of accommodation selected, but it is also important to review the common area aspects of the community. Communities often prioritize aesthetics, green spaces, and communal areas that foster social interactions among residents. It is also important to remember that the senior is joining a retirement community and gains the most from the experience by using the common spaces and interacting with other residents, volunteers, guests, and staff. If that is not the intent or interest, it is often better to stay in place.

Differences in community life between independent living and assisted living

Community life in these settings have many similar aspects but some important ones in which they diverge. Independent living aspects of communities promote a vibrant, social atmosphere. They offer various amenities and activities to engage residents and facilitate connections. Independent living aspects of communities focus on creating an environment that fosters independence. They offer social and recreational activities to keep residents engaged, emphasizing a more self-reliant lifestyle. Good assisted living facilities do this as well, however, they also employ a dedicated staff to assist with tasks like medication management, meal preparation, and personal care, promoting a more supportive atmosphere. While some assisted living communities also emphasize engagement and provide social opportunities, many assisted living communities prioritize health and well-being over recreational activities. Many assisted living communities also offer a range of amenities around meeting the specific needs such as therapy rooms, mobility assistance devices, and in-

house medical services. Also, the programming in assisted living communities often includes specialized memory care programs for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Differences in medical care services

Independent living primarily caters to seniors who are still relatively healthy and active, requiring minimal medical assistance. It is not common for residents to receive care services in the independent living aspects of a retirement community. While basic healthcare services might be available, these communities do not typically offer comprehensive medical care while living in an independent portion of the community. On the other hand, assisted living is tailored to provide a higher level of medical and supportive care for individuals if, or when, they might be needed in addition to help with daily tasks or managing chronic conditions. Assisted living communities are designed for seniors who require more comprehensive care and assistance with daily activities. These communities employ trained staff to provide services such as medication management, bathing and dressing assistance, and monitoring health conditions. Assisted living is often viewed as a bridge between independent living and skilled nursing care. They offer a comfortable, secure, and more residential environment and actually serve a role in helping avoid nursing stays.

The difference between independent living and assisted living for families

Family members often want or need to play a crucial role in this decision-making process. Families often take more of a back seat in independent living, providing support from afar of the resident’s decisions and options. While families may need to collaborate more closely with staff in assisted living to ensure their loved one’s well-being and needs are addressed. No matter which option is selected, there is usually some level of transfer trauma experienced by seniors when moving and family members can ease this by being present for a few days around the move.

Cost of Independent Living vs. Assisted Living

To understand the costs clearly, it’s essential to consider not only the monthly fees but also the potential for additional charges in both independent and assisted living. This evaluation should be a central part of the decision-making process. The cost difference between the two can be significant. Independent living is usually less expensive, making it an attractive option for those who want to maintain independence but seek the companionship of a community setting. While the amenities provided in assisted living often overlap with those in independent living, the key difference lies in the care and support offered to residents. In terms of payment, both independent and assisted living communities offer various payment options. These can include private pay, long-term care insurance and government assistance programs. Families should carefully consider their financial situation and explore these payment options to determine the most suitable choice for their loved ones.

Conclusion

The choice between independent living and assisted living is a weighty decision that requires careful consideration of the specific needs and preferences of the senior. Independent living is an excellent option for those who desire a maintenance-free lifestyle with access to various amenities, the opportunity to participate in an active social life through enrichment programs and have a safety net. In contrast, assisted living is more suitable for individuals who want social interaction through enrichment programs and meals, but also may require assistance with daily activities and access to medical services. By understanding the differences in accommodations, community life, medical care, and costs, families can make informed choices that promote the well-being and happiness of their elderly loved ones.

Ken Dychtwald has been measuring and forecasting the aging of America for almost 50 years, so he is not surprised by much, but the 73-year-old founder of the Age Wave consulting firm in Orinda was delighted to learn from a survey that a majority of respondents aged 65 and over (71%) say they believe their best years are happening now or are still ahead of them.  Further, when asked what is more important as they grow older, being youthful or being useful, 83% of the older adult population said usefulness matters more than youthfulness.

People crave purpose, yet our culture characterizes retirement as a time to relax and travel. So, what should older adults do? Keep working or stop and enjoy themselves? Dychtwald believes it is a blend of both. Studies indicate that people want to keep working longer because they enjoy it. “They like the stimulation. They like the challenge. They like the social connection.”

This is a significant shift for many, as he noted that we used to think of retirement as a couple or three years of rest and relaxation before the batteries ran out, but now people live long after they retire and as a society we are just starting to realize, “Something’s changing here.” He believes that if we’re going to live longer lives, we want those extra years to be a time for vitality, a time for well-being, a time for contribution, a time to enjoy our family, a time to try something new.

You might want a full-time job, prefer part-time work, a regular volunteer gig, or no schedule at all, just sharing when you can. Fortunately for us, Mill Valley is full of opportunities from which to choose to share your existing skills or learn a new one. So, try something out. If it gives you pleasure, terrific. If not, well, there are plenty more to try. Here’s to living in a time and place where we can all be useful!

May is Older Americans Month, but it is reasonable to ask just who is old, what does it mean – in general and for Mill Valley in particular?  The average life expectancy in the US, as recently as 1900, was 46 for men and 48 for women.  By comparison, this year the average age in Mill Valley is 49 years old.  That doesn’t seem old to most of us. Let’s dig further into who, and how, we should celebrate.

The designation was established in 1963.  At that time there were only 17 million Americans of “retirement age” (i.e. 65 or older) and the average life expectancy in the US had moved up to 70 years.  The good news is that average life expectancy in the US is now slightly over 79 years.  The better news is that, in Marin, the average life expectancy is almost 5 more years, or 84.   So the old cliché, “you are as old as you feel” certainly rings true for many of us.  Who is considered old is definitely a moving target that clearly depends on both how and where you live.

That said, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads our nation’s observance of the celebration and the theme for 2022 is “Age My Way.”  The theme emphasizes the opportunity for each of us to explore the many ways older adults can remain in, and be involved with, our communities.  While this will be different for each person, the ACL notes that communities benefit when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds are welcomed, included, and supported.

The ACL says that in this month we should recognize the benefits to our community of providing services that support elders ability to live independently for as long as possible and to thrive; that older Americans contribute their strength, wisdom, and experience to our community; and each of us should help ensure that seniors remain involved in our community.  So whether you are 49 or 94, older, younger or somewhere in between, here’s hoping you can make this is a year that you thrive, by helping others age their way!  Mill Valley will be an even better community for it.

Monday was “Earth Day” and on Tuesday we started a program with the support of, and in collaboration with, Marin County and the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) on a major water saving project on the property edges that face Miller Avenue and Camino Alto.  We are replacing green landscaped areas that require high water use with hardscapes that will need very little.  We are delighted to undertake this project.  It will include informational signage to provide education about how others can complete similar projects and will hopefully be seen by the thousands of people in their vehicles, as well as hundreds of high school and middle school students that pass by each day.

The project will take about a month to complete, but the benefits to The Redwoods and the greater community will hopefully last for decades.  This project is one example of many The Redwoods has recently completed to not only take care of the residents we serve, but the community and greater environment in which we live and work.  It is a continuation of our efforts to be good stewards that the County acknowledged with their recognition of  The Redwoods as a Green Business more than five years ago.  As Kermit the Frog said, it’s not easy being green, but the residents, families, team members and Board feel it is an important part of our role as a community leader.

By MARIAN HUBLER  | mhubler@breadandroses.org Published April 6, 2024

“The residents of The Redwoods truly treasure our long-standing collaboration with Bread & Roses.  The music you have brought enriches their lives and brightens their days, especially for those who find it difficult to get to live performances off campus. The wonderful monthly concerts for nearly fifty years bring joy and are something they always look forward to.”  Hunter Moore, Executive Director.

Our spotlight on The Redwoods in Mill Valley is third in a monthly series highlighting our wide range of facility partners in honor of our 50th Anniversary. We have served The Redwoods nonprofit community of seniors since 1977, shortly after the founding of Bread & Roses by the late Mimi Fariña. It is an honor to serve their enthusiastic residents in independent and assisted living with a monthly concert series in their main auditorium as well as those in their Health Care Center.

Through the years we have experienced many memorable moments at The Redwoods. In collaboration with their Seniors for Peace Committee, we presented the renowned folksinger the late Pete Seeger in September of 2009 accompanied by his grandson Tao Rodriguez-Seeger. It was an eventful day, and Pete’s last concert in Marin County.

During the pandemic, we were invited to bring outdoor concerts to The Redwoods thanks to a special grant they received from the Harbor Point Foundation to provide a mobile stage for visiting musicians. This innovation allowed us to keep serving The Redwoods at various outside locations bringing music to the majority of residents who were sitting outdoors on their balconies and patios.

In past years, we also benefitted from a unique program at The Redwoods called Rock the Ages, a chorus of residents in their 80s and 90s who perform contemporary music — mostly rock, some Motown and folk. This truly inspiring group received standing ovations for their Bread & Roses concerts at the former Whistlestop (now Vivalon), The Tamalpais as well as Vision Impaired of Marin. The health benefits of choral singing for those who are older have been in the media recently. We have also seen the benefits received by those in our audiences who experienced the joy of the songs energetically performed by the residents during these concerts.

Many artists have performed for Bread & Roses through the years from Christina Waldeck and Alan Thomas who have adopted the Health Care Center for monthly concerts; to Matt Jaffe, the Oakland Jazz Choir and Mitch Woods. Recently the Americana band Marco & the Polos performed at The Redwoods with siblings Mick Hellman, Tricia Hellman Gibbs, Frances and Judith Hellman, leading the vocals with their four-part harmonies, which delighted the residents.

It has been a privilege to partner with The Redwoods all these years. Their resident-driven programs and wellness model based on the whole person perfectly resonate with our mission of providing hope and healing through live music to those who need it most. For more info, visit www.theredwoods.org and www.breadandroses.org.

Marco & the Polos, featuring (l-r) Judith Hellman, Mick Hellman, Tricia Hellman Gibbs and Frances Hellman, perform for Bread & Roses at The Redwoods on Feb. 15, 2024.

Photo by Ken Friedman

Social media has always been a hit with younger generations, but it is starting to skew much older as more seniors are buying into its usefulness and entertainment factor. Recent studies point to four ways going digital can change the lives for those of us who are seniors, and here they are:

1. Reduce isolation and create a sense of belonging. Social media allows you to connect with others as well as tap into other worlds you had not imagined.
2. Keep you in touch with others. Social media can help you find and keep-in-touch with the people you miss like a friend you lost touch with years back, or a long lost relative.
3. Stay up to date. You may find it hard to travel or join spontaneously activities with friends and family, but social media allows you to connect with others easily.
4. Entertainment. Need a laugh or cry, a new recipe or even breaking news, well social media can offer that too.

If you are looking for a place to start you might try ones that are popular with the residents of The Redwoods like: Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Each of these offer a way to connect with relatives and friends. Before the pandemic Skype and WhatsApp were the primary methods of video chat and/or to send an instant message, but now most people are comfortable with using Zoom.

A couple of cautionary notes are appropriate. When using social media, be sure to always protect yourself from scammers by limiting how much personal information you share. Also, avoid excessive screen time by balancing your time on your cell phone or computer with other activities. Dr. Paul Weigle, a psychiatrist with the Natchaug Hospital, says, “Overreliance on social media interactions for socialization can be unhealthy and predispose people to depression. Social media should enhance our in-person relationships, not replace them.” So try not to overdue it and limit your time on Apps.

In summary, social media can help keep you connected, entertained, and has many other benefits, but be careful not to over-share or over-do it. Here is wishing you great, on-line experiences!

Welcome to March. This is the month where we “spring” ahead. For many of us, the twice-yearly switching of the clocks is unwelcome because it throws off our sleep patterns. So, this month we are focusing on how to get the best sleep.

New research finds that sleep can be most efficient and restful for older adults when nighttime bedroom ambient temperature ranges between 68 to 77°F. That is a pretty comfortable range for most of us, but many seniors often believe they prefer a higher temperature. The results of a recent study indicated that might not be a good idea.

The study collected 11,000 person-nights of sleep and environmental data from 50 older adults. Researcher Amir Baniassadi, Ph.D., of the Harvard Medical School, said they found a 5–10% drop in sleep efficiency as the nighttime ambient temperature increases from 77°F to 86°F. The researchers were quick to point out that associations were primarily nonlinear, and that substantial between-subject variations were observed.

The researchers found that older adults often experience inadequate, restless, and disrupted sleep which in turn influenced many outcomes related to their health and well-being such as cognitive and physical function, mood and affect, irritability and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Other studies have shown that poor sleep is disproportionately more common among older adults. Meanwhile, research on its causes has been mostly focused on physiological and behavioral factors, despite evidence suggesting that the environment the person sleeps in can be as influential. As a result, while numerous medical and behavioral interventions have been developed to improve outcomes related to sleep, the potential of environmental interventions have been largely overlooked.

Fortunately, you live in Mill Valley. Here, we have a wonderful outdoor environment and comfortable temperatures that stay in a pretty tight range.  We also live at a time where programable thermostats are affordable and easy to use. So, no matter what temperature you prefer during the day, if you would like to improve your sleep and decrease your chances of the challenges related to poor sleep, set your nighttime thermostat to between 68 and 77°F. Here’s to you and a good night’s sleep!

By KRISSY WAITE | kwaite@marinij.com

Published in Marin Independent Journal: February 6, 2024

When Carolyn Corbelli saw a photo in the newspaper of older musicians on a street in Mill Valley protesting for peace back in the early 2000s, she knew she and her spouse needed to be part of it.

“We said well, that’s the place for us,” said Corbelli, 82, who has been involved in activism throughout her life. She said it was something she did not intend to give up in her later years.

The demonstration she saw at the corner of Miller Avenue and Camino Alto was perhaps one of the first for Seniors for Peace. The group was founded in 2003 by Rolly Mulvey, a resident at the Redwoods community for seniors, to oppose the United States’ involvement in Iraq.

At the time, many of the members had experienced war firsthand, and were concerned about the loss of life on both sides, according to Nancy Miller, co-chair of the group.

The group is celebrating 20 years as an organization, which is still going strong with its ranks growing. It has more than 100 members and volunteers across the county.

“The mere fact that we’re still around shows that we’re persistent and we have resilience,” Miller said. “We know that change is in small steps and we don’t get too discouraged.”

The participants — mostly residents of Mill Valley, specifically the Redwoods — are activists, both new to or previously involved in advocacy. The average age of the group is 86.

The members write postcards, make phone calls, organize speakers and help with voter registration. They also meet with local middle and high school students to discuss current events.

At 4 p.m. every Friday, the group holds a “special demonstration,” where participants can pick a sign about a topic they care about, Miller said.

“People honk and wave as they drive by to show support,” Miller said. “So we conclude that people enjoy seeing us out there.”

Late last month, the demonstration focused on the Israel-Hamas war. Participants advocated for U.S. support of a cease-fire and the release of all hostages. About 40 people gathered, signs in hand, and sang along as guitarists’ played songs such as “This Land is Your Land.”

“What could be better?” said demonstrator Audrey Hazen, 81. “Everybody laying down their weapons, laying down their hearts, to talk, to share, and we need this. We need to have this relationship going between us as older people, with the Tam kids, with the town, with the world.”

Hazen, a member for 17 years, said Seniors For Peace was one of the main reasons she moved to the Redwoods with her partner. She was an activist in Berkeley for many years, and has worked with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Freedom Riders.

“But more important than the big names are the small people, the little people like me, ordinary people just doing the work every day, and that’s what the Seniors For Peace does,” Hazen said.

Since its founding, the group has tackled a variety of issues, such as voting rights, racial justice, election campaigns and global conflicts. Hazen said that while the topic at hand might change throughout time, the root of the problems have not changed. She said war has always been a hot topic for the group.

“The issues are pretty basic and they’ve been around a long time, but they get more press now and some people seem to be more conscious,” Hazen said.

She said while progress has been made concerning LGBTQ+, women’s and voters’ rights, issues surrounding poverty and education have worsened. The group, she said, has helped keep her out of a “bubble” and engaged in today’s societal challenges.

A more recent addition to the list of topics is climate change. Miller said the issue has garnered significant interest from seniors in the area — the impending flooding near where she lives by Bothin Marsh inspired her own interest in the group. Many members wonder how climate change will affect their families in the future.

The group added the climate crisis to its agenda around 2019, according to Miller.

“The climate crisis threatens all the values we hold dear,” the mission statement says.

“It’s an ongoing threat and many of us have been blessed with grandchildren,” Miller said. “We just think, God, what kind of world are we leaving them?”

About 28% of Marin’s population is 60 or older, according to a 2019 assessment by Marin Aging and Adult Services. By 2023, seniors were projected to make up 37% of the population. Recent U.S. census data show that Marin led the Bay Area in its average age of 48.2 in 2022.

Corbelli arrived at the Redwoods around 2017 and got involved in the group. She said the first meeting she attended spooked her because many of the members at the time were in their 90s. When they began to speak, however, she realized the wisdom they offered.

“And then they opened their mouths and they were so smart,” Corbelli said. “A lot of them were from a previous generation, and they had life experience about what it is to go through a war and a depression.”

Teri Dowling, a member of the Marin County Commission on Aging, said older adults are an underutilized and undervalued asset in the community. She said jurisdictions and organizations should be reaching out and making opportunities for seniors to get involved in the community.

“What a remarkable resource,” Dowling said. “There are so many smart, interesting people that live in this community, and sometimes you have to make that opportunity.”

Dowling said research shows loneliness and social isolation can be risk factors for seniors. Jenay Cottrell, a program manager at Marin County Aging and Adult Services, said nutritional deficiencies, dementia, depression and even the risk of falling can increase due to isolation, which seniors are more likely to experience. About 31% of seniors in Marin live alone, according to Healthy Marin, a county public health program.

“It’s wonderful when we see groups like Seniors for Peace because it’s a great example of older adults doing what they want to do, but in a group, which has social benefits,” Cottrell said. “Being in a group just multiplies the positive effects of things, and older adults have so much to contribute. They know how to navigate life. Just because you turn a certain age doesn’t mean you should retire from doing things you love or contributing.”

Miller said she believes the importance of giving back to the community combined with the camaraderie is one of the most beneficial aspects of Seniors For Peace.

“It is working toward a better future for our descendants and it is the personal satisfaction of making a contribution that gives meaning to our lives, that we’re doing something constructive and not just recreational,” Miller said. “It doesn’t hurt that it keeps up going as long as we’re healthy.”

Corbelli said the group has kept her in touch with not only the community and politics, but also with her youth.

“It keeps me young, youngish, because it appeals to that time of my life when I was protesting, so for me it’s really important, and it’s important to be able to connect back to the issues and there’s a community here that you can talk to about those issues,” she said.

Hazen said activism and the group has kept her grounded in the things that matter in life. It has kept her following the “spark” in order to find the “fire” in her to advocate for change.

“It’s in your bones to really want good representation, good voting, good education,” Hazen said. “It will always be in our bones, I can’t imagine not caring and not being an activist.”

It’s February, and around here, that means the days are often cold and rainy. In other words, good times to snuggle up with a warm cup of coffee or tea. For some of us, this raises the question of how much is too much of a good thing?

Well, some recent studies might surprise you in terms of your caffeine intake. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found that seniors were less frail and had significantly better physical function later in life if they had a regular higher intake of caffeinated drinks than those that did not.

Researchers at the National University in Singapore surveyed data from 12,000 participants between ages 45 and 74, over the course of 20 years, taking note of diet, medical history, sociodemographic characteristics, height, weight, energy levels, physical activities and sleep duration. According to the leader of the study, Koh Woon Puay, “Our studies show that consumption of caffeinated drinks at midlife may be associated with a reduced likelihood of physical frailty in late life.”

The main sources of caffeine among those included in the study were coffee and tea.  In addition to monitoring the number of cups of caffeinated drinks consumed by participants, researchers also measured their hand grips and balance to determine their physical frailty and fall risk. Researchers found that drinking coffee, black tea or green tea at midlife was “independently associated” with a largely reduced risk of physical frailty in later life. Even more surprising to some, is that the study seemed to show that participants who had four or more cups of coffee per day had a substantially decreased likelihood of frailty later in life compared to those who didn’t have a daily cup of coffee, and those who drank black or green tea daily also showed reduced chances of frailty compared to non-tea drinkers.

The researchers were careful to note that further investigation is necessary to find the specific ingredients that led to the link between caffeinated beverages and physical frailty.  For now, let’s just enjoy this encouraging news on a cold or rainy February day. Here’s hoping you are reading this while snuggled up under a blanket and enjoying a freshly brewed cup of your favorite coffee or tea. Enjoy it in the full knowledge that it may be warming you up now and keeping you from getting frail later!

Here is a fun fact for the new year, according to a recent article by Elisa Cinelli, the grandparent-grandchild bond has never been stronger. She reported that new research indicates about half of children say they would feel more comfortable going to a grandparent for advice than a parent. In a Preply survey children were asked a series of questions and the results paint an overall positive picture of today’s grandparent-grandchild relationship.

In their survey 68% of the children said they would rather spend time with Nana and Papa (the most widely used grandparent names in the U.S.) than their own parents. Why is this the case, well in part it is because today’s seniors do not think of themselves as “old,” and they are more active, healthy, and living longer. Also as Sylvia Johnson, head of methodology at Preply noted, “A lot of times, grandparents are able to provide more of a mentorship role for children without the day-to-day stress and responsibility of parenting.”

Cinelli highlighted recent research that confirmed children feel more secure and have an easier time dealing with adverse life events when a grandparent is regularly involved in their care. In fact, one of the researchers pointed out that children, with more adults in their lives who show them unconditional love, tend to feel more secure and valued. The research noted that parents are wired to guide, correct, and reprimand their children, while grandparents tend to be less judgmental and critical of their grandchildren’s actions, so children may be more likely to drop their guard.

Whatever the reason, it is a wonderful trend and if you are lucky enough to have grandchildren do not be surprised if they confide in you or ask you for advice. Also, go ahead and spoil that grandchild. If your own offspring give you a dirty look you can confidently state, “Science says it is important” and walk away knowing that you have research to back it up. Happy New Year!

It is official. We have entered the Holiday Party time. This should be a fun time, but we also need to keep an eye on our intake. It is a fact that millions of people enter later life carrying an extra 10 to 15 pounds.

For years, experts have debated what advice to share with older adults. Of course, it depends on how heavy someone is now. For seniors who are considered obese, extra pounds are a greater risk than for those who weigh less. As a result, experts are most concerned about inactivity in older adults who are overweight or mildly obese (a body mass index, or BMI, in the low 30s). As we grow older, our body composition changes. We lose muscle mass, a process that starts in our thirties and accelerates in our sixties and beyond, and we gain fat. This is all true – even when our weight remains constant.

There is some good news, though. Research suggests that the ideal BMI might be higher for seniors than younger adults. Indeed, an optimal BMI for older adults may be in the range of 24 to 29, suggested Carl Lavie, a well-known obesity researcher and author of “The Obesity Paradox,” a book that explores weight issues in older adults.

Here is a summary of many recommendations:

• Maintaining fitness and muscle mass is more important than losing weight.
• Ensuring diet quality is essential – the risk for vitamin deficiencies and other nutritional deficits are higher if you are not consuming enough protein.
• Losing weight is more important for seniors who have fat around their middle (an apple shape), than it is for people who are heavier lower down (a pear shape).

This is all good advice, but it needs to be balanced against that fact that so much is going on in December and much of the activities revolve around meals. So, here is hoping you enjoy this season, get in a little extra exercise, pair that party food with a nutritious diet, and try to look more like a pear than an apple. Happy Holidays!

This month we are updating the post from last year that many enjoyed.

It is likely that you are familiar with the question of whether a glass is half full or half empty.  Your opinion often reflects your state of mind. The last few years have been challenging for everyone and health, political, economic, environmental, and social concerns remain. So, it is easy to justify looking at your glass as half empty.  However, as we approach Thanksgiving let us take a clear-eyed look and see if we can find some gratitude.

As we noted before, learning to live with a more positive outlook helps people have healthier relationships and do better academically, professionally, and personally.  Given the challenges noted above, how do we have a positive outlook?

Most experts agree that it is a matter of perspective. That is one of the advantages of working with seniors.  Our elders are great at seeing the bigger picture because they have lived through so much. They point out that political leaders and movements change and are often cyclical.  They have lived through other periods of market turbulence and world wars.  They note that pandemics have been a part of our collective history and that human beings are incredibly resilient.  They have been concerned about our impact on the planet as well as surprised and delighted with our ingenuity in addressing those challenges.

Research has shown that gratitude can boost both mental and physical health.  That by focusing on an uplifting moment from a recent event, a book, or even just imagining a place that brings you joy, can help you have a much more positive perspective.  It has been found that engaging in volunteer work, helping others, also helps us feel good about ourselves.  That caring and sharing is a way each of us can cultivate gratitude and it does not cost a dime.

In his later years Mark Desvaux said, “Some people see the glass half full, others see the glass half empty, the enlightened are simply grateful to have a glass.”  We think he must have had a great deal of life experience by that point. So, here is hoping you have a very happy Thanksgiving season and wish that, rather than looking at what you want, you can celebrate all you already possess and find a way to care and share with others. Cheers to you. Here is a toast to you and whatever you have in your glass and however full it might be!

It is October and it will soon be time to turn your clocks back—and there may be a way to do that to your biological clock as well.  The results of recent studies challenge a long-held belief that biological aging only goes in one direction.  According to co-senior study author James White of Duke University School of Medicine, biological age was thought to steadily increase over the life course, but it is now clear that biological age is not indelibly linked to chronological age.  “The extent to which biological age undergoes reversible changes throughout life, and the events that trigger such changes, remain unknown,” says co-senior study author Vadim Gladyshev of Harvard Medical School.

To address this knowledge gap, researchers measured changes in biological age of humans and mice in response to various stressful stimuli.  The results revealed that biological age may increase over relatively short time periods in response to stress, but this increase is transient and trends back toward baseline following recovery.  Gladyshev said, “This notion immediately suggests that mortality may be decreased by reducing biological age and that the ability to recover from stress may be an important determinant of successful aging and longevity.”

While their study highlights a previously unappreciated aspect of the nature of biological aging, the researchers acknowledge some important limitations. Although they characterized the parabiosis model at multiple levels, they relied mainly on DNA methylation clocks to infer biological age because these tools are the most powerful aging biomarkers currently available. In addition, the findings are limited in their ability to probe the connections between short-term fluctuations in biological age and lifelong biological aging trajectories.

Further studies will be conducted, and results may be years away.  However, it seems clear that stress reduction (in whatever form works for you) is good for your body and may help you live a long and better life.  So, this October you may want to find ways to identify and reduce stress in your life and turn your biological clock back as well!

POSTED BY: SARA MOSELEY – MARIN IJ – SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

  In 1971, while pursuing a master’s degree in history from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Laura Bock suddenly went blind. At that point, she had completed nearly all the requirements for her degree but software for blind students was nonexistent and Bock’s dream to become a history professor seemed unattainable.

  More than 50 years later, Bock, a resident of The Redwoods senior living community for the past 10 years, became motivated by the stories of women historians who took unconventional paths to obtain advanced degrees.

  Bock contacted the University of Massachusetts in 2022 with a proposal requesting that she be awarded her master’s based on her classwork, five decades of work, classes, presentations, preserving archival collections and keeping her “hand in history.”

  This past March — Women’s History Month — she was notified that her proposal for her master’s degree was approved. At the age of 77, Bock is officially a historian and recently received her diploma.

  “I am convinced that I would not have had the courage to reach back five decades and start a discussion about completing my master’s degree if I had not lived at The Redwoods,” Bock said.

  Bock had the encouragement of a community that helped her enhance her public speaking skills and develop newfound confidence. She is working on her memoir.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the first thing to know about people who shun retirement is that they are probably busier, and cooler, than you.

One such person said that an interview would have to wait because he was traveling to France for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Another said he would be free after hitting a research deadline and organizing his Harvard Business School class’s 65th reunion. A third, who was available on shorter notice, emailed a physical description before meeting: “In the spirit of YOLO, I have blue hair and tattoos.”

Whether for financial reasons, boredom or a host of other reasons, a growing number of older adults are not leaving and/or rejoining the workforce.  Most are deciding that if their days are finite, they are better spent on the job than in retirement.  In fact,millions of seniors have joined the “unretirement” movement.  Since 2021 alone, more than 1.5 million seniors have reentered the workforce.  So, what is going on?

Amy Halter, a licensed professional counselor who has worked with senior citizens for decades, notes many unretirement benefits.  “Studies found working to an older age has a positive impact on mental health. Those impacts include social participation and a sense of purpose.”  Halter added, “You can only clean so much, organize so much, and then it’s, ‘Now what?’”  Working also helps stave off loneliness and boredom.

Several well-known seniors are leading the way.  Harrison Ford, 80, is releasing his latest “Indiana Jones” movie. Jane Goodall, 89, is still protecting chimps. Smokey Robinson, 83, is still touring.  Eighty-year-old Joe Biden is still governing and seeking re-election.

We live in a great area with many retirees, but if you are interested in some “fun money,” a chance to socialize and/or give back, there are plenty of opportunities in Mill Valley.  Virtually every employer is looking, whether that be the business community, schools, shops, social service providers or even the city itself.  Most offer flexible schedules and some nice benefits too!  So, if you are bored this Labor Day, consider getting back into the work force.  It can be fun, rewarding and may even make you cool!

Hearing loss is a common issue, and stereotype, for us as we age.  However, there may be good news on the horizon.  A team of Harvard Medical School scientists say they have come up with a new drug that can successfully regenerate the hair cells of your inner ear.  Those hairs have been compared to miniature microphones, and they are responsible for passing sound signals to the brain.

The results of the study were presented in a recent edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.  According to the article, scientists have been able to regrow hair cells in mice by reprograming genetic pathways. This is the first step in a process they hope will lead to clinical trials of treatments for people with mild to severe hearing loss.

Research team leader, Zheng-Yi Chen said, “These findings are extremely exciting because throughout the history of the hearing loss, the ability to regenerate hair cells in an inner ear has been the holy grail.”  He noted that certain fish, birds, and reptiles can regenerate hair cells, but that people cannot. The study, however, provides hope that researchers may soon find a way to re-grow certain hairs.

The research relied on activating pathways by using newly developed chemicals, specifically, “small interfering RNA” (siRNAs). In this way, they were able to remove genes that suppressed mice’s ability to grow inner ear hair cells. Chen puts it this way, “We found a siRNA that could remove the brake in the genetic pathway” that was stopping hair growth.

While the scientists have only had success with mice, the team plans to try the procedures in larger animals before testing it on humans.  So, unfortunately for those with hearing loss, there is no place you can go to participate in the studies yet – which Chen said is a frequent request. Their goal, however, is to combine a surgical procedure with a gene therapy delivery method that can be brought into local clinics. While that may be years away, it is exciting news and certainly good to hear!

July 4 is right around the corner, a time for celebrating our nation’s independence. The desire to be free to do whatever we want is deeply ingrained in our American history and no state exemplifies this more than California.  When we think of elders, independence is not the first word that comes to mind.  That is changing though, particularly here in Mill Valley.

The advent of personal computers and cell phones made it possible to shop for virtually anything from home and is a boon for all, particularly for seniors.  The 800 pound gorilla is Amazon, but many large stores now offer free or low cost delivery and all the major grocery stores do as well.  So even if you cannot get out, you are free to shop independently.

Let’s say you do want to go out.  Transportation is another area that has seen dramatic changes.  Taxis still exist, but now ride share services, like Uber and Lift, as well as several other specialty providers, including Marin Access and ride services through Vivalon and Mill Valley Village, offer low cost options to get you almost anywhere.

California administers programs through Area Agencies on Aging, Medi-Cal Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) centers and other agencies.  These help elders access food, nutrition and exercise classes, housing options, home care, legal services, volunteer opportunities, transportation and more, all designed to help seniors live independently.  Locally most of these services are available from the Marin County Aging Division.

Two local groups (Mill Valley Village and Marin CIL’s) are also designed to help people remain independent.  If you want more support, independent living apartments (such as those at The Redwoods), provide a soft safety net, programs and services.  Assisted Living options start by offering housing, meals, housekeeping, linen service, along with programs and events.  Both The Redwoods and Marin Terrace offer this housing option in Mill Valley.  For those that need more help, there are PACE Programs that offer medical, dental, eye care, rehabilitation care, home care, nutrition and transportation services on a drop-in basis.

In short, today’s Mill Valley elders have a lot of programs and services to help they stay independent.  We’ll be celebrating the 4th of July at The Redwoods, and here’s hoping you celebrate and maintain your independence every day!

Last month, The Redwoods celebrated with donors, friends, families and residents the re-opening of our revitalized skilled nursing Health Care Center. The Center includes both the Grove Wing, the north Bay’s first and only in-patient hospice center, and the Meadows Wing for skilled nursing and rehabilitation.  

The opening for the Grove was originally planned for late March of 2020.  The pandemic put that off, but it afforded The Redwoods the opportunity to revitalize the Meadows, which included complete renovations of each suite, including their individual bathrooms, all the hallways, dining and program areas, nurses station, rehabilitation services areas as well as gardens, patios and connected walkways.  

At the opening ceremony, we had the pleasure of hearing from the daughter of a former resident, Mary Alice Kirincic, and Marin County Board Chair, Stephanie Moulton-Peters, as well as The Redwoods Chief Executive Officer, Hunter Moore (all pictured above).

Addressing the realities of a terminal illness requires a great deal of sensitivity and compassion. It is an emotional issue that takes a toll on the recipient and their loved ones. Fortunately, hospice care providers have specialists who can help you with discussing the issues and options. They can be of great service in developing a plan that prioritizes comfort, dignity and quality. Even better, most hospice services are paid for through Medicare.

There are several very good providers of hospice services in Marin County. They each generally employ a team of doctors, clinicians, caregivers and counselors. To tap into their services a person must first meet certain criteria. Medicare A coverage will include everything that you usually receive, which includes:

• Items and services for pain relief and symptom management
• Medical services
• Nursing services
• Social services
• Prescription drugs
• Pain management
• Durable medical equipment
• Health aides
• Homemaker services
• Spiritual and grief counseling
• Additional services

Please note that last item. There are a host of other services, including such items as massages, that are covered, but generally not known. Be sure to ask the provider you select for a full list of additional available services.

Depending on the individual’s needs and circumstances, the services can be provided at their home, in an assisted living setting, at a skilled nursing provider or even a specialty hospice center. Recipients generally fall into one of four categories: routine home care, respite, continuous or general in-patient.

• Routine home care is the most common. A person may choose this level of care when they do not require continuous hospice care. Usually, this means they are not in crisis — they are stable and can control their symptoms.
• Respite hospice care takes place in an approved in-patient setting. Hospice care professionals provide care so that the primary caregiver(s) can rest.  Typically, respite care is on a short-term basis for up to 5 days.
• Continuous hospice care focuses mainly on nursing care, though a person also may receive homemaker services, hospice aid, or both. A recipient may receive continuous hospice care in their home. Someone may require continuous hospice care if their pain or symptoms become uncontrollable.
• General inpatient hospice care occurs in an in-patient center, such as a hospital or nursing facility. This level of care focuses on pain control and symptom management that is unmanageable in home settings.

Most of us will only access hospice care once or twice in our lives. So, unfortunately for many, they put off having these difficult discussions and end up missing out on many opportunities and services. Those who have been through the process and/or advise others generally suggest you have these discussions well before a need arises.  In that way, if you ever need it, you can make informed decisions and take full advantage of the Medicare provisions.

Simply stated, the primary objective of hospice care is to help individuals spend their remaining time in a peaceful environment and to help maintain quality of life. By acknowledging the difficult realities of death, you can reframe the conversation to what can be done to give a loved one what they deserve, a good ending.

Although this blog is only a high-level overview of the complex subject of hospice care, our hope is that this may serve as a conversation starter. Grappling with an impending loss is deeply emotional. Working with a hospice agency to alleviate some of that burden can help you create opportunities for meaningful memories during the most challenging moments.

Thinking about our social lives, and how they influence health outcomes, is getting new attention. In February, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and UCSF published a 10-item “social frailty index”. They found a strong corollary between social frailty and physical frailty which often leads to an increased risk. So, what does this mean, and what can you do to decrease our social frailty?

Well, to start, it is important to recognize that the implications for health care are real and you can take action. Oak Street Health, a chain of primary care centers in 21 states, is trying to increase awareness in its clinics.  At least three times a year they ask about loneliness and social isolation, barriers to transportation, food insecurity, financial strain, housing quality and safety, access to broadband services and utility services.  According to Linda Waite at the University of Chicago and Director of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, that is great, However, they miss a crucial question: whether their relationships with other people are positive or negative.

If you want to think about your own social situation, consider the following five questions developed by researchers in Japan:

1. Do you go out less frequently compared with last year?

2. Do you sometimes visit your friends?

3. Do you feel you are helpful to friends or family?

4. Do you live alone?

5. Do you talk to someone every day?

If you find your responses unsatisfactory, it might be time to spice up your social interactions by making some changes.

Fortunately, we are in an area that offers lots of opportunities. You might take a class at the Community Center, plan a weekly outing with a friend, attend a worship service, volunteer, or simply plop yourself down with a cup of coffee at the Depot and strike up some conversations.  You could consider joining Marin Villages and getting regular help going to appointments and shopping.  It might also be a good option to change your living situation to one that offers more immediate interactions with others through an ADU or joining a broader living community.

No matter what you do, keep the list handy and, like the folks at Oak Street, check it 2-3 times a year.  The studies show your heart and your head will thank you, especially if you are brutally honest and get more social!

The #1 fear of seniors is memory loss, or more specifically, dementia.  According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, dementia affects more than 5 million people in this country. That number is expected to double by 2050 and women are at higher risk of developing dementia than men. but recently there has been some very good news.

A study in The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association found women, aged 65 or older, were less likely to develop dementia if they did more daily walking and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The researchers sampled data from over 1,000 women.  The average participant had 3,216 steps a day in a combination of 276 minutes of light physical activities and 46 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Researchers found that an additional 1,865 daily steps a day reduced the risk of mild cognitive impairment by 33 percent.  They also determined that an additional 31 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with a 21 percent reduction.  These are staggering numbers for relatively little extra effort.

According to Steven Nguyen at the University of California San Diego’s School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, who conducted the study, “The findings for steps per day are particularly noteworthy because steps are recorded by a variety of wearable devices.” Senior author Andrea LaCroix, Ph.D., M.P.H., added “Given that the onset of dementia begins 20 years or more before symptoms show, early intervention (to delay or prevent cognitive decline and dementia among older adults) is essential.”

Fortunately, here in Mill Valley we have a lot of walking paths, hiking trails and new sidewalks.  The additional 1,865 extra steps to reduce your risk equates to a little less than one mile. To achieve the goal you could walk from: the Community Center to Boyle Park, the Tam High Pool to the far end of track and back, the Depot to the Library and back, or the Safeway on Redwood Highway to the In-N-Out Burger and back.

You get the point.  Adding a relatively short walk can significantly reduce your risk of cognitive impairment and there are a lot of easy ways to achieve the number of steps needed.  So please – get up, go for a walk, and take care of #1 today!

May is Older Americans Month, but how did we get here and how should we celebrate it?

The first question is relatively easy.  Older Americans Month was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy after meeting with members of the National Council of Senior Citizens.  Every President since has issued a formal proclamation asking the entire nation to pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities.  Since the 1980s there has also been a theme for each year – the 2023 theme is Aging Unbound.

So, how should you be celebrating if you are a senior? Well, many are truly enjoying living the “unbound” life by throwing themselves into second careers, helping others, discovering new interests, and pursuing dreams.  

If this is for you, you might find reinventing yourself can be fun and rewarding.  Whether you are planning for retirement or simply looking to get involved in new activities, start by thinking about your skills, dreams, and passions.  Thankfully there are many organizations in Mill Valley who really need experienced help today.  

Others are living the “unbound” life by expressing themselves through the arts. If this sounds good to you, you might consider learning to paint or draw, dust off your dancing shoes, or put your musical talent to use, take a class in stand-up comedy or acting, or finally write that story.  Even if you never felt artistic, everyone has the ability to be creative. As a bonus, studies show that the arts can improve brain health and Mill Valley is full of opportunities to explore your artistic side.

Still others want to keep learning by trying a new language or taking a computer class. Maybe you have always wanted to travel and discover other cultures.  Some use their years of experience to serve others by volunteering to meet a range of community needs.

No matter how you choose to celebrate an “unbound” life there are clear benefits.  All of the above help you keep your mind active and maintain good physical health.  Most provide structure and routine, connect you with the community, and prevent isolation.  Some even provide a little income.  Whatever you choose, here’s wishing you the best as we all celebrate everything you can do!  Congratulations for being an older American.

It’s April, a time for enjoying the spring, for thoughts of renewal and planning for the future.  It is also tax time which gets most of us focused on our finances and, especially for those of us 60 and older, a time for being sure we are set financially for whatever may come.  To explore this further we looked to the experience, knowledge and wisdom of some seniors.

While many in Mill Valley are more than comfortable with their retirement plans, others have not thought ahead as much.  Those among us who are renting may not have the comfort of a large asset (a debt free home) to rely on.  A surprising fact we learned recently is that about a third of the residents in Mill Valley are renters.  So, what to do if that describes you, or you simply are not a planner.

Well, according to some residents at The Redwoods, they believe they are comfortable living within their means.  They have found that between their pensions, social security and possibly some savings, they can live just fine in our city.  Medicare covers most of their health and medical needs.  The resources available through Mill Valley Villages, Marin County and the transit support systems helps them remain active, independent contributors to the community.

We have all seen the recent reports of inflation and that is a concern, but the people we talked to put it in context.  They have seen lots of ups and downs.  They feel certain they will weather the latest economic cycle and feel fortunate to enjoy the lifestyle that Mill Valley offers.  They praised the affordable classes offered through the Recreation Department and noted that for so much of year they can enjoy hikes, walks and rolls in nature for free.

Plus there pointed out all manner of discounts offered to seniors if you just ask.  There are discounts at retail stores, but also for entertainment and other services.  While acknowledging that Mill Valley has a reputation as a high-income area they are adamant that it is affordable as well.  So, if you have a sound plan they say, “good for you.”  If you don’t, their advice is to try not to worry too much.  Mill Valley is a great place to live, even on a budget.

Ask people what they like about living in Mill Valley and you are likely to hear about the small town feel as well as being so close to San Francisco, the Bay and the ocean.  You are also apt to hear about living among the trees and being nestled at the foot of Mount Tamalpais.  Guess what? It turns out those are good for you, especially if you are older.

A recent study from Harvard University noted that living near bodies of water, parks or other green spaces helps older adults avoid first-time hospitalizations for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.  The researchers analyzed data regarding about sixty-two million Medicare recipients.  When they focused on those living in ZIP codes with close proximity to natural environments or vegetation, like ours, they found a variety of clear health benefits.

Recent studies of seniors living in Japan had similar findings.  In those, they found several health benefits to seniors who regularly participated in “forest bathing.”  To be clear, this meant taking walks in heavily wooded areas, not “actual” bathing.  They found that it reduced stress, increased life satisfaction, and improved overall health and happiness.

Researchers further found there are benefits when seniors talk about their experiences in the woods with others.  The simple act of recalling their times in nature helped reduce blood pressure, improve moods and decrease the chance of several common illnesses.

It is a beautiful time of year to be outside.  Spring has sprung, the rains are gone and now you have even more reason to get outside for a hike in the woods, a stroll along the waterside or both.  Plus, you will get added benefit from talking about it with friends and family afterward.  So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy our backyard.  If anybody asks why, you can now confidently assert that science shows it is good for your body and your mind!

When you spring forward this month, it is a good time to re-energize your exercise plans too.  In fact, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  Being active has been shown to improve brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve one’s ability to do everyday activities.

The CDC recommends that adults age 65 and older get at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity (such as brisk walking), or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (such as hiking, jogging, or running) each week.

Studies show that regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp.  It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better.  While individuals vary greatly in how much activity they need for maintaining their weight, the CDC recommendation is a good general guide.

Meeting the recommendations can also lower your risk for heart disease and strokes, as well as lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  It can even lower your risk for developing cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, lungs and stomach.  If you mix it up by doing a variety of activities, it will decrease you risk of falls and hip fractures.

It is estimated that over 100,000 deaths in the US, per year, could be prevented if seniors increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by a relatively small amount. Even 10 minutes more a day would make a difference.  For adults 65 and older, the risk of premature death leveled off at about 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day.  Again, this can be achieved with a brisk walk or even marching around your couch during a favorite program.

Do you need more reasons?  Well regular physical activity can help people manage existing chronic conditions and disabilities too.  It will help reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life; helps control blood sugar levels; lowers the risk of nerve damage; and supports your ability to complete activities of daily living.

So as you make plans for day light savings time, check your fire alarms and start thinking about spring cleaning, please consider adding a few steps to your Spring!

March is named after the Roman god of war, but maybe it should have been named after Bacchus, the Roman god of pleasure.  We talked to some elders to find out what they like best about March and they had a lot to share and it seems there is something for everyone.

Some of you are party animals will celebrate Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday on the 1^st or St. Patrick’s Day on the 17^th.  Others prefer the great outdoors and can be found celebrating in the garden on March 12^th (plant a flower day) or howling at the moon on the 15^th (the Ides of March).  While others love the 20^th, the first day of spring.  In case you miss those days, no worries, you can still celebrate on the 30^th (take a walk day).

March is Women’s History Month and you might find women walking particularly tall, sharing stories of our nation’s relatively unsung heroes.  March is also Red Cross month, a perfect opportunity to organize a blood drive or make a donation.  March even includes a chance to celebrate those that provide essential assistance, as the 3^rd is caregiver appreciation day.

For sports fans it’s a great month.  Basketball fans rejoice on March 12^th, the beginning of March Madness, the NCAA’s annual men’s college basketball tournament.  Spring skiers enjoy the best of both worlds, deep snowpack and warmer temperatures. Plus March is the lull right after the football season has completed and just before hopes are refreshed by the optimism only spring training can bring to baseball fans.

Daylight saving time starts Sunday, March 12, and while getting up earlier might not be what you celebrate, certainly everyone can take advantage of a little extra daylight stretching into the evenings.  It makes it a great time to enjoy long and casual dinners outside.  In fact, you might use it as an excuse to celebrate March 14^th, otherwise known as Pi or Pie day.

As you can see, there is a lot of wisdom we can take from our discussion with elders on how to enjoy March.  One last day they pointed out, and we can all use, is March 22^nd (as young as you feel day).  A day and month for all of us in Mill Valley to forget about age and just have fun.  Here’s hoping you can enjoy this wonder-filled month!

Hopefully love, for you, is an everyday affair, but Valentine’s Day offers a chance to express it more formally.  It is a day to show your partner, best friend, pet, sibling, parent, grand-parent and others just how much you cherish them.  A thoughtful gift is a good idea but sometimes telling someone how you feel, in person or in a card, is what really touches them.  It can be difficult to find the right words.  So we asked a few seniors for some quotes they feel are particularly effective in hopes they might help you.

Several cited famous sayings that focused on another person.  From Hermann Hesse there is, “If I know what love is, it is because of you.”  Katharine Hepburn, known for her relationship with Spencer Tracy, once said, “Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, only with what you are expecting to give – which is everything.”  Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “I love her and that’s the beginning and end of everything.”

Some preferred a different tack – like Lucille Ball’s inward focused, “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line” or Eva Gabor’s “Love is a game that two can plan and both win.”  Former President Barack Obama talked about love and hardship, stating, “If you work through the tough times, the respect and love you feel deepens.” Tolstoy wrote about being realistic scribing, “When you love someone, you love the whole person just as he or she is, and not as you would like them to be.” Many other liked quotes focused on acts and preferred Saint Ignatius saying, “Love is shown more in deeds than in words.”

Some seniors focused on the lighter side and like cartoonist Charles Shultz saying, “All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt” or Dr. Love, Leo Buscaglia’s, “A life lived in love will never be dull.”  Mill Valley’s own Joan Baez is famous for her quote that, “That’s all nonviolence is – organized love.”  Perhaps all the above quotes were summarized by Henry Miller when he penned, “The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.”

We could all use more love, especially after nearly three years of a pandemic in which we all had to separate ourselves somewhat for those we care most about.  So whether you are enjoying it with a special partner, envisioning it with a potential soul mate, reminiscing about a love long gone, looking inward or just looking for some fun, here’s hoping you found in the quotes something that will help you express your love to those most important to you.  Happy Valentine’s Month!

By ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ | arodriguez@marinij.com | Marin Independent Journal.

John Young and wife Kathleen Moran first experienced the Redwoods retirement community in Mill Valley when visiting a friend 12 years ago.

“We were very impressed,” Young said. The most appealing aspect was the vibrant community, he said.

Today, Young and Moran, both 79, have been residents for 16 months. They’ve been active community members, taking tai chi classes twice a week, contributing to the community garden — including donating a new greenhouse — performing piano concerts for new friends and walking and biking around town.

The couple is among thousands who have made their home at the Redwoods, a nonprofit affordable-living retirement community that is celebrating 50 years. A gala was held in November to mark the occasion. A cake ceremony for the residents is planned Friday afternoon.

Reflecting on the history of the Redwoods, Hunter Moore, chief executive officer of the nonprofit, was reminded of the famous quote by Robert F. Kennedy: “Some men see things as they are and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream things that never were and ask, ‘Why not?’”

“The Redwoods was really founded by some fabulous dreamers,” Moore said. “They created an affordable senior living community for Mill Valley so people in their retirement can stay here.”

“The Redwoods today has become more than anything the founders dreamt was possible,” Moore said.

The Redwoods was founded by the Community Church of Mill Valley. It opened its doors to the first nine residents on Dec. 3, 1972.

The Rev. Bill Eichhorn said the church board voted to call him as the congregation’s pastor on Jan. 10, 1971, and the following week voted to establish the nonprofit retirement community.

After receiving a major donation, the group financed the purchase of the 10-acre lot at 40 Camino Alto, across the street from Tamalpais High School and a short walk from Mill Valley Middle School.

“By the end of the 1960s, it was pretty clear that the housing prices in southern Marin were going way beyond the means of the people who lived and worked there,” Eichhorn said. “The church had the vision for this moderate- to low-income living to provide a retirement facility for the people who were being priced out.”

The site started with more than 90 residences. It was expanded in 1974 with another 150 apartments, an auditorium and arts and crafts rooms. It was then that the Redwoods received approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to subsidize rent for up to 60 low-income residents.

The community grew rapidly as younger Mill Valley residents moved their parents and senior family members from the East Coast and Midwest into the Redwoods, Eichhorn said.

Over the years, the property has seen several upgrades, including a major renovation completed in 2017 that included updating independent living suites, and common areas such as the kitchen, auditorium and library. The project included the addition of a health center with exercise equipment, a therapy pool and hot tub.

In 2019, one wing of the skilled nursing center was converted into “the Grove,” which is Marin’s first and only in-patient hospice care facility.

Today, the Redwoods operates with 120 full-time and 60 part-time staffers and more than 50 regular volunteers on an annual budget of $22 million. More than 340 seniors call the center their home.

“The Redwoods has been an obviously much-loved institution in Mill Valley, very much embedded in the community fabric of the community,” said Stephanie Moulton-Peters, a Mill Valley resident and member of the Marin County Board of Supervisors.

Moulton-Peters said she’s had a long relationship with the Redwoods, which started when she was a Cub Scout “den mother” who helped organize the group of scouts to go caroling for the community’s residents. Her husband is a former board member, and her mother-in-law lived at the Redwoods for five years until she died recently.

The Redwoods is also known for its liberal activism, which Moulton-Peters said “is needed and much appreciated.”

An activist group called the Seniors for Peace organized in the early 2000s. The group consists mostly of Redwoods residents and hosts weekly rallies at the corner of Miller Avenue and Camino Alto to take on social issues.

Mill Valley Mayor Jim Wickham said his father was on the City Council that approved the Redwoods project in the 1970s. He said his grandmother and great aunt both lived at the Redwoods.

“It’s a great facility, and integral part of the community,” Wickham said.

The local officials also praised the staff and nonprofit leadership for adapting over the years and jumping hurdles to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking to the future, Moore said the reality is, the nonprofit will eventually need to relocate due to the risk of flooding from rising seas. The property is up against the the Bothin Marsh Preserve on Richardson Bay.

He said recent studies have shown that there’s a possibility of the sea-level rise impact being realized in 20 years, a probability in 40 years and inevitability in 60 years.

The board has started looking at options such as partnering with other organizations and scouting potential moves, Moore said.

“I think we will be here for several more decades,” Moore said. “But we will likely, eventually, not be able to effectively operate from here. I would love to stay in Mill Valley, but our concept is to continue serving the seniors in or in close proximity to southern Marin.”

by mvchamber | Dec 7, 2022 |

Some of Mill Valley’s biggest movers and shakers stepped out on the town in their finest threads last month to celebrate the 50th anniversary gala of The Redwoods, the nonprofit treasure that has provided nondenominational residence and multi-faceted support for seniors for five decades.

The event, held at The Seminary in Strawberry, was a “joyous celebration honoring the founders, community leaders, supporters, residents, families, friends and team members who did so much over the last 50+ years to make The Redwoods the gem it is today,” says The Redwoods CEO and and Mill Valley Chamber President Hunter Moore. “This year’s fundraising focus will be on completing the final portions of the revitalization of the campus, which will modernize the Redwoods to meet the needs of residents for many years to come.”

The gala was preceded by the free “Senior Prom” for the residents of The Redwoods – featuring the crowning of the prom queens – and supported by local students and members of the Mill Valley Rotary. The event, which has been a longstanding tradition at the Redwoods, was put on hold for several years because of the pandemic. But its return brought joy to all, with local high school students joining dozens of seniors for a night of dancing, laughter and fun.

The gala and “Senior Prom” served as the main events, but the celebration continued this month as the Redwoods marked its exact anniversary on Dec. 3. “We had a really fun 50^th Gala to celebrate and it included many Mill Valley Chamber members and local officials,” Moore says.

While the Redwoods’ gala offered a great opportunity to support a critically important Mill Valley institution, it also provides a great chance for some local luminaries to share their fondness for the organization.

“The Redwoods is a huge part of our community.  My grandmother lived there for six years and love The Redwoods.” – Jim Wickham, Mayor of Mill Valley

“The Redwoods is the largest affordable housing development in Mill Valley, so it is a treasure for all of us and an incredibly important resource for our town.” – Urban Carmel, Vice Mayor

“It is a very vital place and extends beyond it’s doors here into the Mill Valley Community.” – Bob Canepa

“What I learned when I joined The Redwoods’ Board is that a considerable amount of the housing is for moderate and low income people.  I think that is a factor that not a lot of people in our community know about.” – Claire McAuliffe, Former Board Chair

“The Redwoods is designed to serve a moderate and low income population in a very high income area and that is hard to do, but they have been doing it well for 50 years.” – Hunter Moore, Chief Executive Officer

For more photos click here.

We all wish for the holiday season to be a time we can relax and celebrate with our family and friends.  For many of us it often, unfortunately, becomes a period of stress and concern.  So we turned to our seniors for some words of wisdom on how to make it a little more enjoyable.  They had the following to offer.

First, take moments out of your days to realize just how fortunate you are to be here in Mill Valley where you are pretty safe and secure.  There is a lot of turmoil in the world today.  For those of us able to be living here, our problems and concerns usually seem minor as compared with people most anywhere else.

Next, try to make the holidays a little easier in regards to gift giving.  Most of us have a lot, and want for little.  So consider getting experiences for those special people in your life.  Businesses in our area are still hurting, so a meal at a new or favorite restaurant, tickets to a show or joining them for a night out, a whale watching tour or a favorite hike, sharing time with them might be the best thing you can offer.

Do not forget your local charities.  Providing a donation in someone else’s name is a great way to honor a loved one and help organization you both care about.  In fact, studies show that people often feel better about themselves when they give to a cause they support, especially if it is one they know something about and/or can see the benefits of directly.  There are innumerable great non-profits doing really good work, many here in Marin, and most now have a very easy way to give.

They suggested giving yourself a break too.  When you are having people over for a meal, visit or stay, everything doesn’t have to be perfect.  In fact, they remind us that some of the most memorable moments occur when something goes wrong – and that almost always happens anyway.

Also, they note that the amount of sunlight is getting less and less with each passing day.  So try to go outside for at least 15 minutes each day to take advantage its many proven benefits.   Second, make the night a little brighter by putting up some holiday lights.  There are very few restrictions on lighting and it’s hard to go overboard, so have some fun with it.

Here is hoping some aspects of the offered wisdom hit home and that you have a truly wonderful holiday season.  Take care until next year!

Watch the video here.

MILL VALLEY, Calif. (KGO) — From the outside looking in, it was a night decades in the making.

On Friday, the Redwoods Senior Living Community in Marin held its annual senior prom.

“I’ve got my shiny clothes on. I don’t have any prom dresses anymore. I don’t even own a skirt anymore,” said Vava Bailey.

The event, which has been a tradition at the retirement community, was put on hold for several years because of the pandemic.

But this fall, it’s back and bigger than ever — with local high school students joining dozens of seniors for a night of dancing, laughter and fun.

“I can just tell you I’m very excited. I would be delighted to dance with a boy from the high school,” said Wendy Oser.

But for many, the evening isn’t just a night to enjoy themselves. It’s also an opportunity to re-live a part of their lives in a whole new way.

Two people that might be the most true for, are Grace Dammann and her partner, Audrey Hazen.

The two met each other several years ago while living at The Redwoods.

“I love, love, love her zest for life,” Dammann said.

During our interview, the pair told ABC7 News about their lives, both as a couple and also as individuals before they knew each other.

They say while they both attended their own high school proms many years ago, they weren’t necessarily experiences they enjoyed — coming to age at a time when being a gay person simply wasn’t accepted.

“One time I was the queen of the prom, and I went by myself. So that was an interesting year, as a senior. I just didn’t want to ask a king,” Hazen said.

That makes this prom all the more special for the couple — a night made even more memorable by being crowned the two prom queens.

Audrey and Grace say they live their lives day by day, uncertain of what the future may hold.

But no matter what comes their way, they tell me they’re grateful to spend the remainder of their time together.

“We don’t have that many dances, so it’s very special,” Hazen said.

You are likely familiar with the question of whether a glass is half full or half empty.  Your opinion often reflects your state of mind and no one could be faulted for having a slightly less than enthusiastic view this year.  We are coming up on Thanksgiving though, so let’s take a clear eyed look and see if we reframe that experience and find gratitude.

There is no denying that these last few years have caused each of us some pause.  There have been serious questions about our government’s ability to resolve complex issues.  Wild weather patterns have become a norm.  We’ve had huge swings in the markets and the economy.  Diversity, equity and inclusion concerns have come to the forefront.  There has been a general uptick in violence, along with a pandemic and the staffing shortages.  So it is easy to justify looking at your glass as half empty.

We noted in last year’s article though, that learning to live with a more positive outlook helps people have healthier relationships and do better both academically and professionally.  Given the challenges noted above, how do we have a positive outlook?  Well, most experts agree that it is a matter of perspective.

That’s one of the advantages of working with seniors.  Our elders are great at seeing the bigger picture because they have lived through so much.  They point out that political leaders and movements change and are often cyclical.  They have lived through other periods of market turbulence and world wars.  They note that pandemics have been a part of our collective history and that human beings are incredibly resilient.

They also point out that science has shown that gratitude can boost both mental and physical health.  That by focusing on an uplifting moment from a recent event, a book, or even just imagining a place that brings you joy, can help you have a much more positive perspective.  They note that engaging in volunteer work, helping others, also helps us feel good about ourselves.  That caring and sharing is a way each of us can cultivate gratitude and it doesn’t cost a dime.

In his later years Mark Desvaux said, “Some people see the glass half full, others see the glass half empty, the enlightened are simply grateful to have a glass.”  We think he must have had a lot of life experience by that point.  So here’s hoping you have a very happy Thanksgiving season and wish that, rather than looking at what you want, you can celebrate all you already possess and find a way to care and share with others.

It’s only October but some people are ready for the holidays now, while most of us are just starting to think about them.  So we talked with some “seasoned” people to find out to make the holidays less stressful.

They suggest starting by filling out your calendar as information on each event rolls in.  If you will host an event, consider sending a “save the date” postcard and setting a date to drop those (or holiday cards) off at the post office, then backtrack to determine when to address them.  Better still, consider sending out e-vites and e-cards.

Get your home ready by starting with bedrooms you don’t use and confirm with guests their length of stay.  Think about what they might need and prepare a basket of toiletries, towels and other necessities.  If decorating everywhere is too much, consider displaying ornaments on the mantle, or calling a seasonal company to decorate inside and/or outside for you.

When possible, cook ahead and freeze (your best bets are side dishes and desserts). Purchase convenience foods like muffins, frozen pizzas and something fun like tacos kits. If your meals will include perishables, buy them four or more days ahead of time to make sure the store isn’t out — and save yourself some holiday panic.

Ask about gifts early and budget for them.  Start with an amount limit for each person including the cost of postage.  Keep a folder with coupons and a list for specific stores and website to simplify shopping.  Also, consider giving experiences this year.

If you plan to visit others, pack early.  If driving, make sure your car’s oil change is current, tires are inflated and you have an emergency kit. If traveling by air, make sure all flight information is shared with your host.  Also, don’t just think about your destination, but consider the places in between that might get a band of snow or ice. Plus, pack your patience, especially this year.

Plan what you will wear so you’ll have the right shoes, items back from the cleaners and, if needed, time to make a purchase to complete an outfit.  Plus, don’t forget the larger family.  Grandchildren might have end-of-season events that you may not have on your calendar.

Lastly, take care of yourself to help ensure you do not get rundown or sick.  Be sure to get plenty of sleep.  The holidays are no fun if you aren’t feeling well and up for them.  We hope this helps and wish you the best!

We are truly living in unprecedented times.  Over the last 100 years life expectancy has nearly doubled.  This is the first time in history that four, and sometimes five, generations are alive at the same time.  This had led to a lot of research about aging and there is some very good news for all of us who are 60 and over.

Chief among common misperceptions is that there is nothing we can do about aging and that old people are not happy.  The truth is that recent studies have shown that there is a lot we can do, through diet and exercise, to slow the effects of aging.  They indicate that “seniors” are happier and healthier than ever before.  They also show that today’s elders are making significant contributions to society and often play an important role in the welfare of children.

There is no disputing that we are all living longer.  One study indicated that in 1940 the risk of a man dying started around age of 59, at about 2.0%, and edged up every year thereafter.  In 2022, however, that same risk is associated with a man aged 68.  For women, the risks started at 65 and are now at age 73.  So the exciting news is that, scientifically, 73 is the new 65!

In terms of one of the biggest fears, losing our memory, there is good news as well.  Incidence of dementia is going down over time.  Recent studies show this to be true, and they show a correlation to education level.  The more you have learned, and continue to learn, the less likely it is that memory loss will affect you.

Perhaps the best news is that aging is not necessarily associated with depression, anxiety, fear or loneliness – even during the pandemic.  This has been particularly true among people who plan ahead and remain an active member of their community.  Community was variously defined as including a retirement center, a neighborhood or a smaller town like ours.

So we encourage you to eat well, exercise, keep learning and find a way to stay active and engaged in our Mill Valley community!

In the fall Review, we shared our efforts to acquire a new emergency generator that will provide a long-term answer to meeting the electrical power needs of our entire campus.  We are delighted to report that the new generator, along with a refillable tank that will hold four days of fuel, has been approved, purchased and is being installed.

“This emergency generator will go a long way in providing security and safety for the moderate and low-income residents we serve, as well as provide a safe haven for residents in the surrounding community, in the event of planned outages during wildfire season and other emergencies,” explained CEO Hunter Moore.

Originally estimated at $500,000, fundraising efforts are underway to raise the balance needed to purchase and install the generator, the cost of which has increased to $1.2 million due to regulatory requirements, supply chain challenges and increased demands for emergency power in our area.  “We’ve been fortunate to have raised a significant portion of the difference to date, but the bulk of the remainder is still to be raised,” reported Christian Mills, Director of Development.  If anyone would like to donate, they should contact Christian Mills, Director of Fund Development, at cmills@theredwoods.org or (415) 383-1600 ext. 267.

Pictured left to right: Rezvan Jorshary, Project Manager, dsk Architects; Geoffrey Massa, COO, Nelson T. Lewis Construction Co.; Lynette Clark, CFO, The Redwoods; Jim Wickham, Vice Mayor of MillValley; J. Hunter Moore, CEO, The Redwoods; Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Marin County Supervisor for Southern Marin; Taylor Kelly, Director of Facilities/ EVS, The Redwoods; Christian Mills, Director of Fund Development, The Redwoods.

It’s February, so let’s dive into the topic of love.  Most of us are familiar with the Corinthians passage about love enduring all things, but you may not be as familiar with English author, playwright and 1932 Nobel Prize winner, John Galsworthy’s best known quote, “Love has no age, no limit; and no death.”  That may have been a noble thought in 1930s England, but does it have relevance for those of us living in Mill Valley today.   We believe it does and we don’t have to look far for some examples.

Last month’s edition featured The Redwoods, a place where there are examples of true, lasting and limitless love on display every day.  Sometimes it is in a couple’s shared look or their clasped hands.  It permeates through the tender touches between grandparent, parent, child and grandchild.  It is often seen between a care provider and a resident, as well as the shared smiles with school children, interactions with supportive volunteers, connections with precious pets and the gentle, nurturing efforts with flowers, fruits and vegetables in the public and private gardens.

The residents love to share their passions as well.  Whether on the street corner protesting, through sharing in a class or support group, or a quiet moment with someone who needs a little TLC.  It is particularly nice to see when love blossoms amongst and between seniors, a not infrequent occurrence.  Some residents find new and unexpected loves in their 80s and 90s, well after they thought that part of their lives was over.  A few share pictures and stories from their youth of intense and fleeting love while others find solace in memories of a love that had a slower burn but lasted decades.  No matter what the time or type they describe, they all share their stories with a sparkle that defies age and a joy that seems limitless.

As with anywhere, there is loss as well.  Seasons come and go, so do cherished ones.  The residents often talk about loved ones they have lost as if they are still very much with them.  Through their stories it is clear that the deep love shared between two individuals – regardless of age, sexual orientation, cultural or religious backgrounds and interests – their love endures.  It truly has no end, no death even if the other person is gone.  It is celebrated and sustaining.

Now, after nearly two years of a pandemic, we could all use more love.  So whether you are enjoying it with a special partner, envisioning it with a potential soul mate or reminiscing about a love long gone, here’s hoping you can learn from our senior neighbors and let yourself fall deeply into it, embrace it and enjoy that fact that love truly has no age, no limit and no death.

Mill Valley Living Magazine Jan. 2022 — It’s not easy to keep up with Elizabeth Merriman.  She is one of those people who only knows one speed and it is full steam ahead.  Whether it is teaching an art class, meeting prospective residents as an “Ambassador” or taking on a new project, you can always count on Elizabeth to do a great and thorough job.  She was a professional organizer and life coach and really enjoys helping people, “one-on-one.” She is often on the go. We were fortunate to have her share a few minutes with us recently.

Elizabeth has been at The Redwoods for, “oh my goodness, several years now.  In fact I tell people I marched forth on March 4^th, 2011.”  She loves her apartment and her ability to “live my lifestyle.  You can be as active as you want to be or secluded as possible.  People are sometimes surprised to hear that from me, because I like to speak in public and get things done, but I am really an introvert.”

She enjoys her private time but also has taken on several leadership roles and loves to share about living here.  In fact, she was one of the first residents to volunteer to talk to people considering a move to The Redwoods and recently stepped down from being the head of the resident Welcoming Committee.

Elizabeth has a particularly creative side.  She had been teaching an art class prior to the pandemic.  Wanting to continue to support and nurture fellow artists, she worked with The Redwoods Program team to help people continue their works remotely.  You can find her “Easy Art” series videos (Bunnies, Birds, Puppet People and Others) on The Redwoods YouTube channel where they are available to residents and everyone else as well.

Elizabeth is so thoughtful.  She often paints personalized cards for other residents.  She also creates special notes to commemorate holidays or thank team members.  She says, “I have felt safe here and love that I can get in my daily walks on level ground.”  When asked about what she likes best, Elizabeth said, “The down-to-earth people who work here and the impromptu one-on-ones with fellow residents.”  We think she is a special person and are so happy she is part of The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors!

Mill Valley Living Magazine Jan. 2022 — David Dow is one of those people with an indomitable spirit.  He loves to sing and share stories of his adventures.  He is a founding member of The Redwoods’ own Rock the Ages chorus and a frequent featured soloist.

David and his wife first moved to The Redwoods into a Headlands apartment.  At that point they were still getting “out and about” a good bit. Plus, as he put it, “We did everything.  In fact, we had our names on the list for about 5 years and wanted to start a line dancing class.  We came in to talk about that, they said our name came to the top of the list and so we moved in and started the class.  It was great.”  David said he and his wife took on major roles.  She as the head of the Resident Council and he as a founder of the resident singing group, Rock the Ages.  “We did so much we won the resident of the year award.”

Unfortunately David’s wife passed in 2019 and his children convinced him to move to Hawaii to be with them.  David loves his children, but missed The Redwoods.  When he returned, he found he needed more support and moved to an assisted living apartment in Creekside.  According to David, “That was very good.  I enjoyed it very much.”  As time passed, David decided that the Health Care Center could better meet his needs and he moved there a year or so ago.

He said he still loves reading and listening to books on tape as well as participating in the daily New York Times discussions.  He looks forward to the exercise programs because they “help me stay active.”  What David said he likes best about The Redwoods is that “everybody is so friendly and generally liberal.  I don’t think I could be anywhere else.”  David is a special person and we are so happy that he is part of The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors.

Mill Valley Living Magazine, Jan. 2022 — You are likely aware of The Redwoods, or at least the Seniors for Peace rallies on the corner of Miller Avenue and Camino Alto, but there is probably a good bit about this “Community Gem” that most of us who live in Mill Valley don’t know.  For example, did you know that it is a locally managed, one-off, non-profit that started their 50^th year of operations last December 3^rd?  Did you know their campus is about 10 acres in size and serves over 300 residents?  Did you know they are one of Mill Valley’s largest employers and the largest provider of affordable housing?  To those of you who are really “in the know” and said yes to all the above, keep reading and we bet you will find a few facts new to even you.  For the rest of us, here’s a surprising primer on a wonderful asset in our own backyard!

In the mid 1960’s a dedicated group of members of the Community Church of Mill Valley saw there were a lot of people in town who no longer wanted to keep up their homes, but didn’t want to leave our idyllic area.   They decided we needed a retirement community.  They developed a preliminary plan, pooled some resources and, thanks to one member taking out a second mortgage, were able to buy about 10 acres across from Tam High.  That got the ball rolling and soon more funds were raised, initial buildings were built, and on December 3, 1972, The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors became a reality by admitting its first residents.

Based on the ideals of the founders, The Redwoods, was set up as a non-profit retirement designed to meet the needs of area citizens for high quality residential care for seniors at a cost all could afford. The mission was, and continues to this day, to be: to promote good health, well-being and security to a diverse group of seniors.   Of course this is Mill Valley, so that wasn’t all.  The founders also wanted to transform attitudes and practices so that aging was recognized as a dynamic phase of renewal, discovery, service and choice, so they wrote that into the mission as well! This philosophy was, and is, attractive to life-ling activist who don’t want to slow down (see more on some of them in the related articles).

This approach, combined with excellent programs, services and staff, has led The Redwoods to be named a “model facility” by LeadingAge, the nation’s top education, research and advocacy organization for nonprofit aging services. Over the years The Redwoods has grown and adapted to meet residents’ needs and current desires.  In part, that is why it has consistently won the Marin IJ Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Retirement Community, and Pacific Sun’s “Best of Marin” for Best Senior Living Facility.

So what exactly is The Redwoods?  Well it is a multi-level retirement community that provides rental housing, services and care to more than 300 seniors. They offer three living styles: senior apartments in the Headlands; Assisted Living Apartments in the Creekside; licensed skilled nursing services in the Meadows and Grove portions of their Health Care Center.  The Redwoods provides a full spectrum of programs to enhance residents’ health and well-being including fitness classes, spirituality discussion groups, organic gardening, chair yoga, political lectures, music groups, an artist’s studio and local sight-seeing and cultural excursions.  Residents’ ages range for the 70s to several well over 100 with 88 being the average.

All residents have direct access to an outdoor patio and many have their own personal gardens. In addition, residents maintain both an outdoor succulent garden and a much larger organic fruit, vegetable and flower garden.  Recent additions include a “Wellness Center,” called the Dynamic Center for Aging that is home to a gym equipped with modern, computer-programmed weight machines, a large and naturally lit classroom studio, a therapy pool and a hot tub.  Also, The Redwoods converted a portion of their Health Care Center into the North Bay’s only in-patient hospice center, the Grove.

The Redwoods long-standing commitment to affordability is alive and well. When compared with similar communities in the area, they are consistently offer a high value and they are the only one in Marin County that offers a continuum of care without a large, up-front commitment.  More than a third of the Headlands Apartments are occupied by residents using a federal subsidy and usually about a third of Health Care Center residents have their charges covered by Medi-Cal.  Plus, the Redwoods provides additional aid through their internal Support Housing Assistance at the Redwoods, or SHARE Program, which assists residents facing unexpected financial challenges.

Many retirement providers approach to serving seniors is to congratulate them for getting to 80 years of age or older, then say, “We’ll take it from here.”  The Redwoods turns that concept on its head.  They celebrate the rich, full lives people have led and then ask:  What would you like to do to enhance The Redwoods community? They pride themselves on being able to provide the resources to nurture the interests and passions, talents and abilities of the residents.  In fact they have a 26-page guide to programs that is regularly updated as new items are added.  Further residents, yes the residents, run more than half of the over 100 different programs and events that occur each week.

Also The Redwoods encourages, reaches out to, and embraces people of all ages and interests within the surrounding area.  This includes programs with children in the nearby pre-school, as well as those in the Middle School and at Mount Tam.  They are actively engaged with many of the area’s music, entertainment, religious, business and educational groups.  Some of the unique programs the residents engage in include: Seniors for Peace weekly meetings, discussions, lectures, films and Friday afternoon protests on the corner; fundraising events such as the annual Bazaar; and the Student Scholarship program in which Marin high school seniors are recognized and given awards.  Truly, The Redwoods and its culture are intertwined in both formal and informal ways within the very fabric of Mill Valley and beyond.

That was a lot of information.  We bet even the most informed of you learned something new.  If you want to know more, please give them a call, visit their website at www.theredwoods.org or yes, you can check them out on Instagram, Facebook and even their YouTube Channel which contains lots of fun videos! Also keep an eye out this year for your opportunity to celebrating The Redwoods – 50 years young.

Mill Valley Living Magazine, Jan. 2022 — You are likely aware of The Redwoods, or at least the Seniors for Peace rallies on the corner of Miller Avenue and Camino Alto, but there is probably a good bit about this “Community Gem” that most of us who live in Mill Valley don’t know.  For example, did you know that it is a locally managed, one-off, non-profit that started their 50^th year of operations last December 3^rd?  Did you know their campus is about 10 acres in size and serves over 300 residents?  Did you know they are one of Mill Valley’s largest employers and the largest provider of affordable housing?  To those of you who are really “in the know” and said yes to all the above, keep reading and we bet you will find a few facts new to even you.  For the rest of us, here’s a surprising primer on a wonderful asset in our own backyard!

In the mid 1960’s a dedicated group of members of the Community Church of Mill Valley saw there were a lot of people in town who no longer wanted to keep up their homes, but didn’t want to leave our idyllic area.   They decided we needed a retirement community.  They developed a preliminary plan, pooled some resources and, thanks to one member taking out a second mortgage, were able to buy about 10 acres across from Tam High.  That got the ball rolling and soon more funds were raised, initial buildings were built, and on December 3, 1972, The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors became a reality by admitting its first residents.

Based on the ideals of the founders, The Redwoods, was set up as a non-profit retirement designed to meet the needs of area citizens for high quality residential care for seniors at a cost all could afford. The mission was, and continues to this day, to be: to promote good health, well-being and security to a diverse group of seniors.   Of course this is Mill Valley, so that wasn’t all.  The founders also wanted to transform attitudes and practices so that aging was recognized as a dynamic phase of renewal, discovery, service and choice, so they wrote that into the mission as well! This philosophy was, and is, attractive to life-ling activist who don’t want to slow down (see more on some of them in the related articles).

This approach, combined with excellent programs, services and staff, has led The Redwoods to be named a “model facility” by LeadingAge, the nation’s top education, research and advocacy organization for nonprofit aging services. Over the years The Redwoods has grown and adapted to meet residents’ needs and current desires.  In part, that is why it has consistently won the Marin IJ Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Retirement Community, and Pacific Sun’s “Best of Marin” for Best Senior Living Facility.

So what exactly is The Redwoods?  Well it is a multi-level retirement community that provides rental housing, services and care to more than 300 seniors. They offer three living styles: senior apartments in the Headlands; Assisted Living Apartments in the Creekside; licensed skilled nursing services in the Meadows and Grove portions of their Health Care Center.  The Redwoods provides a full spectrum of programs to enhance residents’ health and well-being including fitness classes, spirituality discussion groups, organic gardening, chair yoga, political lectures, music groups, an artist’s studio and local sight-seeing and cultural excursions.  Residents’ ages range for the 70s to several well over 100 with 88 being the average.

All residents have direct access to an outdoor patio and many have their own personal gardens. In addition, residents maintain both an outdoor succulent garden and a much larger organic fruit, vegetable and flower garden.  Recent additions include a “Wellness Center,” called the Dynamic Center for Aging that is home to a gym equipped with modern, computer-programmed weight machines, a large and naturally lit classroom studio, a therapy pool and a hot tub.  Also, The Redwoods converted a portion of their Health Care Center into the North Bay’s only in-patient hospice center, the Grove.

The Redwoods long-standing commitment to affordability is alive and well. When compared with similar communities in the area, they are consistently offer a high value and they are the only one in Marin County that offers a continuum of care without a large, up-front commitment.  More than a third of the Headlands Apartments are occupied by residents using a federal subsidy and usually about a third of Health Care Center residents have their charges covered by Medi-Cal.  Plus, the Redwoods provides additional aid through their internal Support Housing Assistance at the Redwoods, or SHARE Program, which assists residents facing unexpected financial challenges.

Many retirement providers approach to serving seniors is to congratulate them for getting to 80 years of age or older, then say, “We’ll take it from here.”  The Redwoods turns that concept on its head.  They celebrate the rich, full lives people have led and then ask:  What would you like to do to enhance The Redwoods community? They pride themselves on being able to provide the resources to nurture the interests and passions, talents and abilities of the residents.  In fact they have a 26-page guide to programs that is regularly updated as new items are added.  Further residents, yes the residents, run more than half of the over 100 different programs and events that occur each week.

Also The Redwoods encourages, reaches out to, and embraces people of all ages and interests within the surrounding area.  This includes programs with children in the nearby pre-school, as well as those in the Middle School and at Mount Tam.  They are actively engaged with many of the area’s music, entertainment, religious, business and educational groups.  Some of the unique programs the residents engage in include: Seniors for Peace weekly meetings, discussions, lectures, films and Friday afternoon protests on the corner; fundraising events such as the annual Bazaar; and the Student Scholarship program in which Marin high school seniors are recognized and given awards.  Truly, The Redwoods and its culture are intertwined in both formal and informal ways within the very fabric of Mill Valley and beyond.

That was a lot of information.  We bet even the most informed of you learned something new.  If you want to know more, please give them a call, visit their website at www.theredwoods.org or yes, you can check them out on Instagram, Facebook and even their YouTube Channel which contains lots of fun videos! Also keep an eye out this year for your opportunity to celebrating The Redwoods – 50 years young.

Many seniors have gone a long time without seeing loved ones, but this holiday season there are ways everyone can have a good, safe time together.  It helps to have a plan when deciding how you and your family will interact.  The following are a few key elements to consider.

1. Consider COVID testing prior to your gathering. There are many places in Marin County to get a free COVID-19 test (like your local pharmacy, grocery store or a clinic).  The “PCR” tests are the most reliable, but you would need to take it at least a day or two before your get-together because the results usually take 24-48 hours.  Of course another option is a “Rapid” test.  Those can generally be purchased from the same providers and also on websites like Amazon.  While not quite as accurate, they generally are easy to self-administer and give results in about 15 minutes.  Both options are a great way to feel relatively secure that your family and friends are COVID-free especially if any guest is unvaccinated, has travelled from riskier areas, or has been in large groups.
2. Before attending or hosting a holiday event, consider the COVID-19 situation in the area. Fortunately, Marin County is leading the nation in vaccination rates and cases are low, so the risk is lower if everyone is from the area.  Other portions of the state and country have higher number of cases and going to them, or getting together with people from those areas increase your risk.  So you might want to make other plans and/or be extra careful about wearing a mask, keeping some distance and washing your hands frequently.
3. It makes a big difference where people will be gathering. There’s one thing everyone agrees on, and that is that get-togethers are less risky outdoors and fortunately we are blessed with often fine outdoor weather in Mill Valley. If the plan is to spend a significant amount of time indoors, you should consider/suggest good ventilation, such as open windows or doors.
4. Think about how many people will be there and how long. Often, the more people the better, but this season smaller gatherings mean less risk for seniors.  The same is true of the length of time everyone is together.  Sometimes it is great to just sit back, relax and watch the action, but this year you might want to skip the games or encourage several shorter visits.  Our area is doing well so limits on the number of people are not stringent, but some community COVID-19 guidelines allow much fewer people to gather in one place.
5. Encourage family, friends and guests to follow safe practices. While there is no way to be 100% safe, you can significantly reduce your risks.  Since the start of the pandemic, the key recommendations have been to:  wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose; try to stay six feet apart as much as possible; and wash your hands frequently.  Asking others to do so may be a little uncomfortable, but those that love you will understand.  If they do not, or will not, the risks are higher and you will need to decide what is best for you.
6. Find out if anyone attending has symptoms or has been recently exposed to someone who has COVID-19. If the answer to either is yes (meaning they have a temperature, cough, aches, loss of sense of smell or taste or have been exposed), that doesn’t mean you cannot see them, but it would be better to wait about 10 days before getting too close.

Thinking about the items listed above will help you develop a plan to protect yourself, other seniors and loved ones of all ages.  Here’s wishing you the best this holiday season.  We hope this helps you keep safe and have fun!

Science has shown that gratitude can boost both mental and physical health. People who are grateful feel less stress, less pain, have fewer bouts with insomnia, and have stronger immune systems. Learning to live with a more positive outlook helps people have healthier relationships and do better both academically and professionally.

We have all been through a stressful and challenging year and a half. Some have suffered more than others, losing jobs, businesses and even health or loved ones to this virus. At minimum, each of our lives, plans and social relationships were interrupted. Weddings, graduations and social gatherings postponed, sports seasons rescheduled or played in empty stadiums, and holidays spent alone.  So how can we reframe that experience?  How can we live with gratitude at Thanksgiving and through the holiday seasons?

Gratitude is spontaneously generated from within and is an affirmation of goodness and warmth in our world.  Even with loss, we can be grateful and appreciative for all we still have.  Gratitude comes easily to some, but the good news is, that it also can be cultivated. The following are sixteen suggestions to help each of us experience more gratitude:

• Try to focus on what can be controlled vs the “uncontrollable.”
• Live life with purpose. Find a way to feel value added or of service.
• Focus on an uplifting moment from a recent event or a lesson you learned from a book, or a photo of a place that brings you joy.
• Put life in perspective, like the fact that pandemics have been a part of our collective history and we, as human beings, are incredibly resilient.
• Practice mindfulness.
• Spend time with family and friends even if the contact is through internet.
• Engage in volunteer work, helping others can help us feel good about ourselves.
• Keep a journal of or in some way note big and little joys of daily life.
• Every day identify three positive things to be grateful for.
• Write thank-you notes or cards to others to brighten their day.
• Think about people who have inspired you and what about them was most significant.
• Imagine what your life would be like if some positive event had not occurred.
• List future goals to look toward.
• Complete projects you never had time to address.
• Spend quality time with pets. They can reduce blood pressure and decrease loneliness.
• Commune with nature and enjoy the outdoors.

The last one comes easily to those of us fortunate enough to call Mill Valley home and/or live or work at the foot of Mount Tamalpais and the edge of Richardson Bay. We hope some of the others on the list will resonate with you, or a friend that needs to hear them.  Caring and sharing is a way to cultivate gratitude.  Here’s wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

A recent study in The Journals of Gerontology highlighted how daily contact with friends in the community is linked to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. The study looked specifically at how interacting with friends resulted in increased pleasantness, less talk about stressful experiences, and an overall better mood. The study found that such interactions played a strong role in enhancing daily emotional well-being in seniors.

This research is a pleasant counter-balance to a study by the late Dr. J.T. Cacioppo of the University of Chicago who found that older adults who find themselves alone are at particular risk. Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo’s research reveals that loneliness automatically triggers behavioral and biological processes that contribute to a series of health concerns.

In fact, research supported by the National Institute on Aging by Dr. S.W. Cole in 2015 showed that loneliness can actually breed other diseases. “The biology of loneliness can accelerate the buildup of plaque in arteries, help cancer cells grow and spread, and promote inflammation in the brain leading to Alzheimer’s disease. Further, it was found that loneliness promotes several different types of wear and tear on the body,” said Dr. Cole.

After months of increased isolation due to COVID-19, it may not be surprising to learn that recent research linked social isolation to a variety of physical and mental conditions, including: heart disease; weight gain; high blood pressure; weakened immune system; as well as mental conditions such as depression; decline in cognitive function; and Alzheimer’s disease.

The good news is that Dr. Cole’s findings also showed that having a sense of mission and purpose in life is linked to healthier immune cells. Caregiving and volunteering diminished loneliness. He noted that, “Working for a social cause or purpose with others who share your values puts you in contact with others and helps develop a greater sense of community.”

In addition Dr. Cole found that, as compared to married older adults, unmarried research participants were reported to have more pleasantness and positivity when they were with friends. Another key finding was that that even interaction with people on the periphery of one’s community, may be beneficial in terms of social interaction, companionship, and having fun.

No matter what your individual situation is, it appears that you can live a happier, healthier life if you participate with others in the community.  So slip on that mask and get out there.  Your mind and body will thank you.

Cacioppo JT and Cacioppo S. Older adults reporting social isolation or loneliness show poorer cognitive function 4 years later. Evidence-Based Nursing 2014;17(2):59-60.

Cole SW, Capitanio JP, Chun K, et al. Myeloid differentiation architecture of leukocyte transcriptome dynamics in perceived social isolation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 2015;112(49):15142-15147.

Ng, YT, Huo, M, Gleason, ME, Neff, LA, Charles, ST, & Fingerman, KL. Friendships in old age: Daily encounters and emotional well-being. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 2021;76(3):551-562.

We are so grateful to everyone who participated in our 49^th Anniversary Celebration yesterday. We enjoyed spending time with each of you who attended the event last night, and we’re grateful to those who were not able to make it.  It turned out to be a beautiful evening with a wide assortment of fine beverages, bites for every taste and good times with the wonderful friends and family that make up this special community known as The Redwoods.

We are very proud to have been able to bring together so many amazing individuals committed to preserving and enhancing The Redwoods as gem of Mill Valley and a truly unique and outstanding home for seniors of all means.   As a direct result of the event we were able to significantly close the gap on the funds needed to revitalize the Meadows (the long-term, skilled nursing wing), as well as build up the  SHARE Fund which provides assistance to residents who start to outlive their resources.

As we look ahead, we are excited to embark on our 50^th year of operation.  There is more work to be done and we know we can count on you to help ensure we are able to provide top quality care in a modern environment that matches it.  We will also keep the focus on providing some fun and interesting opportunities for engagement and hope you will  mark your calendars for next year’s even bigger Anniversary Gala that will be held on November 5!

There are so many individuals to thank for creating such a successful event that we cannot possibly mention each individual but we would be remiss not to mention Christian Mills, Kendra Pollack, Shannon Coleman, the entire Event Committee and the team at The Redwoods.  Most of all though, we want to offer our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters.  We couldn’t have done it without you.

Did you know there are many ways you can support your favorite charity without spending your funds right now? By including a gift in your estate or financial plans, your support for their work lives on for generations.

“The most popular way to make a planned gift is through your will or trust,” explains Christian Mills, Director of Fund Development at The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors, a non-profit in Mill Valley, “but no matter the type of planned gift you choose, it is reassuring to know your gift will allow you to extend your impact into the future.”

“My mother, who recently passed away at age 107, spent 12 wonderful years at The Redwoods, blossoming and growing with the love of the staff, and with such activities as line dancing, spiritual yoga, movie nights and musical events. I am making a planned gift to The Redwoods so that future generations, including those with low income, can continue to enjoy these experiences.”  —Judy Dick

Although an outright gift, such as cash or a check, can be used right away, sometimes an immediate gift isn’t the best option. A planned gift is a perfect solution to this problem. There are many different types of planned gifts and each offers unique advantages.

Some planned gifts are revocable—a gift in your will or living trust, for example—so you can change your mind at any time. Or, they can be irrevocable—just as outright gifts are—so that you qualify for an income tax deduction. Many irrevocable planned gifts are attractive because they are deferred. You part with an asset today, but the actual giving of the asset is put off for a while—often until after your lifetime (and that of a surviving beneficiary, if you wish). Until that time, you enjoy the benefits from the gift. For example, with a charitable remainder trust, you receive lifetime income from the asset after it’s placed in a trust, and then the non-profit receives the remainder of the trust after your lifetime. Or, you could deed a remainder interest in your home and still retain the right to live in it for life. The key feature of planned gifts like these is that they provide important benefits to you as well as the charitable organization.

For more information about The Redwoods and Planned Giving, visit our website at www.theredwoods.planmylegacy.org, or contact Christian Mills at 415-383-2741 or cmills@theredwoods.org.

The Redwoods has been a pillar of Mill Valley, an active participant in the vitality of the area, and an affordable option for seniors since 1972.  We are a locally managed, private, non-profit, continuing care retirement community.  We offer Independent Living and Assisted Living apartments as well as Skilled Nursing in our Health Care Center, inclusive of short-term rehabilitation services and Marin’s first, and only inpatient hospice center.

Residents are able to enter directly the area that meets their needs best.  Some are with us for a short period and others for many years.  The residents represent a diverse range of experiences, backgrounds and interests. The common denominators are friendliness, being supportive of their neighbors and a desire to engage in the world around them.  We are home to singles and couples as well as a variety of well-behaved pets.

We are innovative and strive to transform attitudes so that later years are recognized as a dynamic phase of renewal, discovery and choice.   It is paying off.  The Redwoods has been named a “model facility” by LeadingAge, won the Marin IJ’s Reader’s Choice Award for best retirement community and the Pacific Sun’s best of Marin award every year.

Located on 10-acres of flat land adjacent to the Bothin Marsh and Richardson Bay, the Redwoods has an amazing location with beautiful views of Mt Tam, the Headlands and the city,  It also boast the convenience of nearby shopping, restaurants, schools, the Community Center and walking trails.  In addition, we provide regularly scheduled transportation for appointments, shopping, events and excursions around the area.  We offer a full spectrum of programs to enhance residents’ health and well-being.  We have a 26-page catalogue of the programs and events that occur each month, many of which are led by residents.

Meals are a key part of health, enjoyment and a social life.  Our Dining team offers a variety of nutritious and delicious meals prepared by our in-house chefs.  Meals are enjoyed in the dining rooms, or on our beautiful outdoor patios, and room delivery is available. There is also a catering menu for special events.

Safety and security are paramount. The Redwoods was one of a few communities in the US to have no COVID-19 positive residents in nursing or assisted living.  We offer round the clock security, emergency call systems in each apartment, and well-trained staff to handle any situation. Our smoke detection system and sprinklers provide excellent fire safety.  Our new generator will power the entire campus in the event of a PSPS or other outage.

Our team members are hired and trained according to The Redwood’s “Heart Values” of Helpfulness, Excellence, Attitude, Respect and Teamwork.  Our exceptional culture, excellent benefits and competitive pay allows us to attract and retain an outstanding workforce that is passionate about the residents and families we serve and been with us for an average of 9 years.  We also rely on a dedicated group of volunteers who provide a range of skills and services for our residents and campus.

If you or someone you know is interested in life at The Redwoods we urge you to call today for a tour and further information.  Our wonderful residents and team, excellent reputation, moderate prices, convenient and beautiful location, engaging programs, delicious meals, safety and security means vacancies are rare.  It is best to plan ahead and consider joining our wait list.

We are extremely grateful to the Navigage Foundation for their support of the revitalization of the Meadows wing of the Health Care Center. On Friday, they presented a check for $100,000 that will underwrite a substantial amount of the modernization of the entryway, hallway, and suites for skilled nursing and rehabilitation.

The Meadows offers 24/7 skilled nursing care for long-term patients and short-term rehabilitation. We recognize each resident as unique, and place an emphasis on preventative care, resident education and family involvement. We embrace a model of whole-person wellness, offering a full spectrum of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual programs.

Today the residents awarded scholarships of $3,000 each to 7 Marin high school students at our Scholarship Award Ceremony. Each year for over 20 years, the Scholarship Committee has raised funds and granted awards to graduating seniors from high schools in Marin. This year there were 47 applicants from 12 high schools. The ceremony was attended by many residents, students and their families. The residents are extremely proud of this tradition of giving back to the community.

The Scholarship Committee is comprised of 10 members led by residents Elizabeth Small and Jean Spencer. Each year, committee members read the applications, interview top candidates and vote. The winners are selected based on a number of criteria including academic achievement, activities in the community, jobs, classes, awards and financial need.

This year’s recipients are Izaagan Aquino, Mariya Klymenko, Emily La, Jolie Pierre-Louis, Naedy Mendoza Rodrigues, Sophia Terrell, and Siyon Farin.

By Mushira Mohsin Khan, Apr 19, 2021

A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology highlighted how everyday contact with friends may be linked to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction in later years. Specifically, the study examined whether encounters with friends over the course of the day resulted in more pleasantness, less discussion about stressful experiences, and better mood, compared to when they were alone or in contact with social partners other than close friends.

The authors used data collected from 313 participants age 65 and better from the Daily Experiences and Well-Being Study. Along with background information, participants completed an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) survey every three hours over a period of five to six days. Participants reported their encounters with social partners, scored the degree of pleasantness they experienced after every contact, indicated whether they talked about stressful events during each encounter, and rated positive or negative mood.

Compared to contact with romantic partners or family members throughout the day, the study found that contact with friends played a much stronger role in enhancing daily emotional well-being in older adults. Further, compared to married older adults, participants who were not married reported more pleasantness and positive mood when they were with friends, suggesting that those who are unmarried, widowed, or divorced may rely on friends for emotional well-being. Another key finding was that closeness of friendship was not associated with positive everyday experiences, indicating that even peripheral or less close ties—such as those with acquaintances—may be beneficial in terms of social integration, companionship, and having fun.

These findings underscore the importance of friendships in later life. Future research could examine the nature of contact with friends and other social partners, to better understand the factors contributing to enhancing emotional well-being in older adults.

SOURCE:

Ng, YT, Huo, M, Gleason, ME, Neff, LA, Charles, ST, & Fingerman, KL. Friendships in old age: Daily encounters and emotional well-being. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 2021;76(3):551-562.

In celebration of National Nurses’ Day we want to extend a big thank you and shoutout to all of the incredible nurses across the country, but especially here at The Redwoods, who work hard every day to keep our residents and community members safe and in good hands. Thank you, nurses, for all that you do!

In this video featured on our YouTube channel, Chef Mike shows us how to cook a simple, easy and delicious meal using fresh picked veggies from the Sinclair Scott Organic Garden at The Redwoods. Today, we have seared salmon with a sorrel butter sauce served on a bed of wilted spinach and arugula and accompanied with a beet, radish and carrot slaw. Yum! Watch here.

This time of the year, residents enjoy an abundance of fresh organic vegetables that are grown right here in our garden, overseen by Kurt Ellison, Garden Program Coordinator. Harvest days are Thursdays, and many of the residents also enjoy getting their hands dirty in the garden as volunteers.

Michael Freudenberger is our Head Chef in the Dining Room at The Redwoods, and his culinary creations are very creative and enticing. This month, some of the special meals he will be serving are a Mother’s Day lunch, National Quiche Lorraine Day lunch, Korean Waffles, and a special Memorial Day lunch.

What a joyous, beautiful occasion it was on May 1 when a group of volunteer students from Mill Valley Middle School came and brought gorgeous bouquets of flowers to our residents. We are so grateful to them for all the volunteer activities they engage in with residents all year long! See more photos here.

Save the Date – Oct. 7, 2021

We are pleased to announce that The Redwoods will celebrate its 49^th Anniversary on Thursday, October 7, 2021.  The event, which will support The Meadows Revitalization Project in our Health Care Center, will offer both online and in-person participation opportunities. The in-person event will feature food, wine, music and festivities in a safe, socially distanced, gorgeous outdoor setting, Mill Valley’s Outdoor Art Club.

“After such a challenging 2020, a celebration with our friends, neighbors and supporters is in order,” said Christian Mills, Director of Fund Development. “Next year will be an even bigger celebration, our Golden 50^th Anniversary Gala.”

Kendra Pollack and Shannon Coleman, both of Mill Valley, are co-chairing the event. Says Kendra, “I am incredibly grateful to have my 89-year-old mom living in a beautiful setting, with exceptionally kind staff and interesting residents. I am also grateful for how well the team at The Redwoods kept our loved ones safe from COVID. I can’t wait to celebrate the 49th anniversary!”

Shannon is no stranger to serving our community and to creating special events. She says, “Growing up in Mill Valley, I spent a lot of my childhood visiting my grandma at The Redwoods. I know firsthand what an important part of our community it is and I’m thrilled to be celebrating its 49th year and all of the residents who make it a special place.”

Ticket prices range from $250 to $1,000 per person. For further information, sponsorship opportunities, or to make early ticket reservations, please contact Christian Mills at (415) 383-2741 or cmills@theredwoods.org.

When my Dad passed it was most sudden and of course a shock to my siblings and most importantly to my Mom. My parents had been together joyfully for 60 years!

My Mom was very active socially; with her friends always going somewhere; music, theatre, bowling, taking walks, enjoying a meal out.

That slowed down when my Dad passed as she pulled back a bit from going out. In the transition to being alone she stayed with us for a few weeks then decided she wanted to go home. She made trips to Oregon, LA, and Santa Cruz where her other children lived. Family was paramount in her life.

After she settled back home we decided to meet every Wednesday evening for dinner out at her favorite Asian restaurant, 6:00 standing reservation.

It was about 45 minutes from my office in SF and 75 minutes from my home. It was always a wonderful night out and I really began to get to know my Mom on such a personal level. Previously when we went out it was always with others. On weekends we would get together to go shopping, take a walk and just spend some nice time together.

A few years went by and I could see Mom had lost some of her vitality, not seeing friends as often or going out as much. Some days she would just stay in and see or talk to no one. Isolation and nutrition were playing a part in that change. She lived in a great area but I began to worry as a son does, about her safety and well being.

We had our first chat about relocating to a senior community where she could make new friends, eat healthier, be in a safer environment. She did not like that idea as she felt it would inhibit her independence and thought that was just for old folks. She was 84 at the time!

One evening we had a talk about Family and how important that was to her. She did not see her other children very often as they were out of town. We came to common ground; move to where one of her children lived so she could see family almost every day! Bingo! She wanted to stay in the Bay Area so we agreed she would live near me. The search began for a great place that would be a good match for Mom.

It was important for us to find a place that was right for her today and as she aged. We visited several communities to get a feel for what Mom liked and I then visited a few more.

We wanted to find a place where she could rent and not put down a huge down payment. A Community with good programs, clubs, dining services, nursing services, a safe environment, a great location close to services, and friendly!

The family got together to ease Mom’s mind about moving, ensuring we would all help to pack, sort things out, donate pieces, and get a great mover. We made a party out of it, lemons into lemonade!

Well, we did it, Mom & me; we found a great community just a mile from my house. I had driven by The Redwoods Senior Community a thousand times throughout the years and never really knew much about it.

As soon as we walked into the lobby for our tour the friendliness and sense of community showed through. My Mom’s smile was all I needed to see.

Oh and yes, they had the wonderful programming, clubs, good food, nursing services, and a beautiful safe place to get out and walk.

Sitting outside by the Estuary one day I commented to Mom, “You live in a park with all the trees, water, and birds.” She smiled broadly and said, “Yes, it sure is great!”

By Barry Schenbaum

FOX2 News

MILL VALLEY, Calif. – Older Americans, among the first people to be vaccinated, will be among the first to enjoy new CDC guidelines.

“To be able to go to the dining room, to be able to go for a van ride, to be able to sit outside on a nice day with your family, these are all big changes,” said Catherine Scott, administrator at The Redwoods, a retirement community in Mill Valley.

The Redwoods has about 500 residents and staff, and with 90 percent of the people vaccinated, activities are resuming.

After meals in their rooms for a year, residents have the option now of picking up entrees to take to their room, or eating in the dining room with a roommate.

If their companion is not a roommate, they must maintain six feet of distance.

The facility is going beyond CDC guidelines, but caution has served it well, not one infected resident during the pandemic.

Two friends, who went out to a movie on Monday, were picking up meals to eat together, freedoms that would have been unheard of just a few weeks ago.

“I don’t want to live with a mask on for the rest of my life,” said resident Lynn Gregory, “and I  want to get back to normal as soon as we can.”

So far, families are not allowed indoors to visit, but a garden area has been set aside.

If a resident ventures off the property, they are no longer required to isolate on their return.

“People are saying hey we made it, it’s getting better, we’re almost at the end and they really see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Scott.

Monday’s advice from the CDC says vaccinated people don’t have to quarantine or get tested after COVID exposure if they don’t develop symptoms.

Also, fully vaccinated people can visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors.

And vaccinated people can socialize indoors without masks or physical distance with unvaccinated people if they are from a single household and are at low-risk of COVID-19.

For 91-year-old Sylvia Schwartz, full vaccination means reunions with her great-grandchildren, ages 2, 6, and 7.

‘They all remember me and it was wonderful, ” said Schwartz who was able to resume her weekly dinner at her granddaughter’s house, not far from her apartment at The Redwoods.

“They’re my delight, they’re delicious, and now I can see them and they can see me and get to know me.”

For a year, Schwartz could visit with her family in their yard, or hers, but never getting too close.

“Our 2-year-old son can’t keep his hands off her, so as soon as she arrived at our house, he ran to her and gave her the biggest hug,” said grandaughter Nira Doherty. “And he was pretty close to her the rest of the afternoon.”

More than 59 million Americans have gotten at least one vaccine dose, helping to drive down cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Infectious disease experts are also reassured. Data shows people who are vaccinated pose virtually no transmission risk to others.

“Hugs should happen, ” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, UCSF Infectious Disease Specialist. “This was the whole point of vaccines, to get back to close human contact. We are primates. We are social animals, we want to see each other.”

That is seconded by Scott, who says fully reopened dining halls will be a big turning point at The Redwoods.

“For many, a highlight of the day is walking to the dining room and back, seeing hteir friends, saying hello, seeing what’s going on, so dining is a really important expeience for all of us.”

For Schwartz, the resumption of weekly family dinners is indescribable.

“It just felt heavenly, it was so wonderful,” she said, “and the greatest therapy for an old person is hugs from young, beautiful, healthy children.”

There was only one snag on that first outing, which Schwartz and Doherty laughed about after Schwartz drove away.

“We forgot to give each other a hug when she left because we haven’t hugged each other in a year,” chuckled Doherty, “and now we can!”

FOX2 News

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Newly released data in Marin County shows how vaccinations are having an impact at long-term care centers.

Health officials say the number of virus cases has dropped significantly after the residents and staff received their second vaccinations.

“The vaccine works and it saves lives. Those are the two headlines I see here,” said county health officer Dr. Lisa Santora.

At The Redwoods, a skilled residential care facility in Mill Valley, almost all of the residents who live there — about 150 people — have received their second dose.

Statistics show that COVID cases in skilled nursing and residential care facilities dropped by more than 10-fold between January and February, down to only four active cases with no outbreaks.

“After that second dose was received by staff and residents we saw a major drop-off in the number of cases experienced that these facilities by the end of January,” said Santora.

The Redwoods was among the first facilities in Marin County to administer vaccinations. And health officials said so far they are relieved by the vaccine’s success.

“The staff, I can tell you, can sleep a little better. We are breathing a sigh of relief. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said the facility’s administrator Catherine Scott.

Nursing home advocates applaud the findings but said the next step must be to allow family members to visit their loved ones.

“We are advocating for families and the state to start thinking ahead about what life is going to look like as vaccination progresses,” said Mike Dark, of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.

“It is going to be challenging in the next couple of months to make that bridge between those who aren’t vaccinated and visiting their family members,” said Santora.

Seniors residents said they just want to be with family and friends again

“Not being able to give a hug. I was never a hugger until I realized I am a hugger,” says 88-year-old resident Bob Crockett.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Still no residents of The Redwoods have tested positive for COVID-19 but, according to a number of sources, the number of deaths due to the virus in the U.S. exceeded 300,000 on Monday and confirmed cases topped 16,000,000 as the nation rolled outs its first vaccine inoculations.

These are staggering numbers and Marin County is not immune as cases, hospitalizations and deaths are up here as well.  In fact, retirement communities in Marin County account for almost 500 of the cases and there were 16 residents and 51 staff members with COVID-19 yesterday.  Fortunately none of them at The Redwoods.

We recognize that this is a holiday season unlike most any of us have experienced.  The local restrictions will be in place until at least January 4^th.  They include guidance to visit in-person only with those you are living with now.  So we continue to urge you to schedule a visit through the glass, or over the internet, by contacting a Resident Coordinator or Social Worker, but please do not visit, or have visitors, in-person.

The next few weeks, as the first and second shots of the vaccines become available to residents and team members, will be critical to our joint efforts to continue to have no residents get the virus.  We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued support for a few more weeks.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Still no residents of The Redwoods have tested positive for COVID-19.  Last week we did have a significant concern when a team member did test positive.  Upon learning the news we were directed to trace that member’s movements, identify anyone who came into contact with them, test and quarantine those people.  We acted quickly to do so.

Many of the residents and family members had a series of questions and we didn’t have answers beyond what we shared.  That was not a satisfying for any of us and it is challenging when we are not in control of the decisions and we need to wait on others for direction.  We apologize for the discomfort this caused.  Nothing new has happened, but we were notified late yesterday by the Marin Department of Public Health that all of those residents need to be tested again and continue their quarantine until results come back, hopefully by the end of this week.  Those residents will be tested today and we will share any additional information as soon as possible.

This is Thanksgiving week and the virus is spiking dramatically.  There are real fears that the number of people infected in our area will continue to rise in the days ahead as more people congregate indoors.  We know many of you will want to visit with loved ones this week.  We encourage you to do so by contacting the Resident Coordinator or Social Worker to schedule a visit through the glass or over the internet.

Please do not visit in-person.  While residents have rights and can leave the property, please do not, but if you do: ask others to wear masks properly; encourage them to remind you to wear your mask as well; wash your hands frequently; try to stay 6 feet or more apart and; try to stay outdoors.  If you or they do not, you not only are risking your and their lives, but the life of everyone else who is part of this community.

We will support residents by to keeping as much open as possible and having a traditional feast here.  We recognize that not being with loved ones on Thanksgiving is hard, but we are very concerned for your health and well-being.  Please know, we will continue to try to strike the right balance between safety and engagement.

— Please turn over —

We will also need to more strictly limit the number of people coming into The Redwoods.  Due to the tremendous increase in COVID-19 cases we will start, as soon as practical, limiting “care givers” or “aides” or “essential workers” to one per resident at a time.  We are targeting to start next week issuing color coded lanyards with badges at the Reception Desk available for approved people.  The approval will include showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test within a week, as well as screening and sign-in.

This limitation on “aides” and “essential” workers is new and we do not know how long it will last.  We will likely need some grace period on the testing, but please know we did not take this step lightly.  We hope that you will support this effort to protect the health of everyone at The Redwoods.  This is a hardship for all.  Each of us is will need to make sacrifices this holiday season in hopes of being able to celebrate future holidays together.

We also want to note that there was some good news regarding COVID-19 vaccines this week.  AstaraZeneca joined Moderna and Pfizer with updates on their efforts to create effective vaccines.  Pfizer applied to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization of their vaccine and it could receive approval in a couple of weeks.  The others should follow shortly.  These vaccines will likely require two shots, at least one month apart.  While the administration has stated that retirement communities will not be first to receive doses, they may be available to members of our community sometime relatively early in 2021.

So there is some hope on the horizon, but our biggest challenges lay in the days more immediately ahead.  The next few months will be critical to our united success in keeping COVID-19 away.  We appreciate your support in the efforts that will be needed to do so.  Here is hoping that you are able to take some time this week to recognize those things for which you can be thankful.  Please take care and, if nothing else, wear a mask!

Wishing you the best this Thanksgiving and every day!

November 19, 2020

Dear Residents, Families and Team Members,

We are still pleased to announce that no residents of The Redwoods have been COVID-19 positive. As cases spike in the county we are sorry to report that this week we have two team members who have tested positive. Both are asymptomatic and doing well at home.  We learned this as a result of our weekly surveillance testing of staff.

The Redwoods is working closely with the Marin County Department of Public Health and the California Department of Public Health.  We receives expert advice and guidance on all COVID related procedures. We will follow their guidelines to contain this situation.

What does this mean?

• Covid-19 testing of Health Care Center and Creekside (residential) Apartments was doubled from once a week to twice a week for all residents and staff for the next three weeks. This testing is done on-site and generally takes 36 hours for results.

• Residents in the Health Care Center will isolate in their rooms for as long as Marin County Department of Public Health directs, but likely at least two weeks.

• All residents, including those in the Headlands (independent) Apartments, who may have come in contact with the team members are being identified, tested and asked to self-isolate until they receive a negative test or the County determines they are safe to engage with the rest of the community.

As always, we will operate with an abundance of caution. We have plenty of testing supplies and trained nurses, adequate personal protective equipment and a dedicated team determined to get through this pandemic as safely as possible.

In addition to the steps we are taking to protect the over 500 people on our campus, we continue to strive for the best quality of life possible.  We apologize for any inconvenience or concern this causes and will do are best to keep you informed.

We have all heard the line: “Laughter is the best medicine”, but for most people this means no more than a blissful saying. Humor is a strong communication tool that allows people to express themselves, relieve tension, and facilitate relationship-building. Laughter provides a sense of comfort; learning to laugh during dark times helps us gain perspective and realize that things may not be as bad as they seem. Laughter grants people permission to relax and smile during tough times, such as after a loss of a loved one or during times of sickness. Laughter can also be used as a coping mechanism, letting people diffuse heavy emotions such as anger and sadness. While laughter puts us in good spirits and lightens the mood, more research must be done on laughter’s biological impact on health.

Laughter as a healing mechanism has only recently come into examination, and already the research has been astonishing. Laughter decreases anxiety, restrains aggression, and lightens depression. Similar to exercise, laughter increases the body’s heart and respiratory rates, increasing oxygen consumption and decreasing blood pressure. Research has also found that laughter increases the immune system’s ability to defend itself against viruses and foreign agents. Laughter alleviates stress, decreasing the risk of stress-related illnesses and preventing overactivation of fight or flight hormones. Overactivation of fight or flight hormones contributes to numerous health complications, most significantly hypertension and certain nervous system disorders. In addition to relieving emotional stress, laughter helps break up tension within the body as a result of past sympathetic nervous system overactivity. According to Alexander Lowen, the founder of bioenergetic psychotherapy, laughter produces convulsive reactions that mitigate muscular tension within the body. In practice, bioenergetic therapists try to stimulate anger, laughter, or tears to heal the body by releasing energy and endorphins. The more vigorous the laugh, the more tension released and endorphins pumped throughout the body.

Simply deciding to laugh more may be the decision that changes your mindset and health. The more we laugh, the freer and lighter we become. Laugh at the little things, share in others’ laughter, laugh at yourself, and your let laughter be contagious. When we learn to laugh and take life less seriously, humor can be a powerful healer of the mind and body. With laughter, you may find yourself healing others while healing yourself.

The Redwoods is certainly special – with an incredible sense of place and community. Still, even when folks have been ready and wanting to make the move, when it comes down to it, it is a big transition and moving is never easy, although sometimes we are lucky and blessed to have a few supportive people in our lives who help make that move a little easier.

Talking with your family is important. Leaving one’s home and making a big move can be an emotional subject. A range of feelings and reactions to the prospect of moving are completely normal, and you don’t have to handle them on your own. We are happy to help you connect with all kinds of resources to help you navigate the journey, addressing your questions and helping to facilitate a process that we are honored to be part of.

Make the Most of Your Community Tour. One of the most important steps you can do before making the decision to move is to attend an in-person tour at several communities. We hope you’ll enjoy our tour, not only for what you learn about our particular community, but because we also understand the importance of asking the right questions. A tour at The Redwoods often helps prospective residents and their families prioritize what is most important to them in senior living.

A few “quick tips” we’re glad to share with you here include:

1. Get a ‘feel’ for the environment. In finding a place where you will feel at home, what does that mean? What is the environment like? Getting a feel for the community in person is essential.
2. Meet the people who work there. At the end of a call or tour, guests sometimes ask, “What am I not asking?” And very often, they have not asked about the staff. How long as the average employee worked at the community? What kind of relationship do staff have with residents? The people who work at a community are an important part of the decision-making process. Meeting them gives you a chance to see what it might be like to interact with staff on a day-to-day basis after moving in.
3. Taste the Food! Food is central to daily life. We invite you come for a visit and taste the food. Look at the menu options and have a meal if you can. Find out if the Dining Services of a given community accommodates special dietary needs, if there’s flexibility in meal times, and if the dining room has any formality guidelines.
4. Meet Other Residents. To the extent that you are able to connect with other residents, do so! This is a valuable way to hear multiple perspectives on what day-to-day living at the community is like. These are the folks who will be your new neighbors! Are they friendly and welcoming? You’re more likely to have a clear understanding of that if you come for a visit and meet other residents.
5. Ask more questions. There are so many questions when it comes to senior living, from nutrition and fitness, to nursing services and long term care options. Touring in person will naturally trigger additional questions and help you learn more about the community that will potentially serve you or your loved one for many happy years.

Loneliness is a silent epidemic inflicting Americans at an unprecedented rate. Baby Boomers have been coined as the “loneliest generation”, aging alone more than any previous generation in U.S. history. According to the latest census, one in every eleven Americans fifty years or older lacks a spouse, partner, or living child. This amounts to eight million people in the U.S. living without companionship or a close kin–a number that is only growing. Loneliness looks different for everyone; some people prefer to be alone whereas others feel insecure in their lone-time; being alone and feeling lonely do not go hand-in-hand. Many seniors live alone but do not have symptoms of loneliness. At the same time, those who are constantly surrounded by friends and family may feel consumed by underlying feelings of loneliness.

Spending more time alone is a natural effect of aging. Retirement shrivels social networks and eliminates a significant amount of social interaction; hearing loss and worsening mobility alter social patterns and activities. These natural occurrences of aging leave us vulnerable to the implications that come with it. Research has overwhelmingly linked social isolation/loneliness to deteriorating mental health, most notably depression and anxiety. While the implications of loneliness on mental health are more readily observable, the consequences on physical health are just as, if not more, alarming. Loneliness has been linked to a long list of health conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even early mortality. Research has found loneliness to be worse for longevity than obesity or physical inactivity. Loneliness alters the standard processes of immune cells to promote inflammation, which is vital for our body’s injury recovery. Those suffering from loneliness experience excess inflammation, which increases the risk of diseases by making it harder to fight off viruses. Furthermore, elderly with smaller social networks were found to be less likely to take their medications.

Staying active in any way can help combat/prevent feelings of loneliness. Some examples are spending more time outdoors, starting an exercise routine, enrolling in group classes, or participating in community activities. Being active stimulates your brain by releasing hormones that make you feel more positive and youthful. Volunteering is one of the most recommended solutions to loneliness. Doing service work provides the chance for social interaction, the opportunity to expand networks, and instills a sense of purpose. The feelings of satisfaction and purpose that come with volunteering have positive effects on health. People who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others live longer, have better overall moods, stronger cognitive function, and are confident in their sense of purpose.

While finding yourself alone more often is a natural part of aging, the health implications of loneliness should not be taken lightly. In order to gain a stronger sense of purpose and belonging, one should consider finding a new hobby, getting active, and/or volunteering in their community. No one should ever feel alone about their feelings of loneliness. Social circles naturally becomes smaller as we grow into old age, but this does not mean the possibility for new experiences and new connections is eliminated.

The Redwoods follows the guidance from the county, state and CDC. The course and severity of the virus is frequently changing. When there are contradictory requirements between the most current CDC, CDPH, CDSS, and MPHD orders we follow the strictest requirements.

In addition to our infection control policies and procedures, The Redwoods has emergency disaster plans. The plans include steps to take should an outbreak occur. The prevention, containment and mitigation measures we take are essential parts of The Redwoods efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Testing is one of the tools used to intervene early and reduce the spread of COVID-19.So far, no resident has tested positive for the virus. Further, all new residents goes through a 14 day quarantine period. Also all residents who leave for an overnight or more, are quarantined.

Testing does not replace or preclude other infection prevention and control interventions. These other measures include: monitoring all residents and staff for symptoms of COVID-19; testing and stringent return to work policies; universal masking by residents and team members (covering the nose and mouth) for source control; use of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE);efforts to maintain a 6 foot physical distance whenever practical; limiting gatherings to 10 persons or less; restricting in-person visits; encouraging residents to stay on campus; environmental cleaning and disinfection.

When people move to The Redwoods, we often say that we’re not just gaining a new resident, we’re gaining a family.  As a community-based non-profit organization we are naturally oriented toward cultivating community connections.

Still, keeping those connections strong during this pandemic has been a challenge! Within the first few weeks of the initial Shelter-in-Place orders we began setting up the internal resources to host Zoom and Facetime family visits for residents. We then set up an online scheduling system for families to book in-person visits at our designated family visiting areas. Family visits must comply with Marin County Public Health guidelines in maintaining social distancing and wearing facial coverings.

Residents can leave the campus for doctor’s appointments or other essential errands, although our leadership reminds us all to please follow Public Health Guidelines when doing so. If residents leave campus and stay the night off-campus, a 14-day Quarantine in their apartment is required upon return.

Cigarettes come with a warning label, but loneliness does not. In fact, there is increasing coverage of the health effects of social isolation. Loneliness has been linked to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. Chronic loneliness poses as much of a health risk as smoking cigarettes.

Loneliness can distort our perceptions; it can make us believe that those around us care less than they actually do. As I’ve worked with families and prospective residents to help facilitate their move to The Redwoods I’ve seen a wide range of emotional reactions to the transition. One of the more interesting transitions was that of a woman who had, in many ways, been very social in her life before coming to The Redwoods. She had friends who stopped by to see her, and she had employed an at-home care-giver.

After being at The Redwoods for about a month, she sought me out to say, “I never realized how isolated I’d been before I came here!” This surprised me and caused me to reflect on just how powerful daily interactions with a variety of people can be, and how having a wide range of activities to choose from can build up our emotional reserves.

Wellness has many dimensions. We live in a culture that values the body more than the mind. Favoritism to our physical health over mental and emotional well-being comes at a cost. In the last 100-years, average life expectancy has increased nearly 30 years in the United States. Adults age 60 and older are the fastest growing segment of our society. This achievement gives rise to important questions: what do we want to do with an extra 30 years? We’ve created a new chapter in life, but have yet to fully envision it’s meaning and opportunity.

I see elders joining The Redwoods and reinventing their stories. Through community they are able to explore what their purpose can be in this next phase of life. So many of our residents contribute in powerful ways, organizing new groups such as a climate change study group, lobbying elected officials, sending gifts overseas to soldiers, raising funds for student scholarships, and more.

We all need a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and as humans, we can’t change that we’re hard-wired for love and belonging. We’re meant to connect with one another, to engage, and to contribute meaning and purpose to life. The wisdom of the elders at The Redwoods has taught me to let my circles of connection expand rather than contract, that belonging is a birthright, and that my purpose is tied to my service to others.

Marin IJ Opinion by Dick Spotswood May 5, 2020

During the pandemic there’s much concern over the safety of those living in retirement communities, senior-care facilities and skilled-nursing homes.

All have populations living in close proximity who are fragile, vulnerable and experience underlying health issues. California’s Department of Public Health reports the state’s true hot spots are senior centers where 40% of all COVID-19 deaths have taken place.

Many senior homes with high rates of death are privately owned by chains, financed by hedge funds and operated as businesses where — denials aside — costs are an overriding concern. Others are run by opaque entities, where those behind innocuous sounding names are impossible to identify.

Senior facilities operated by the nonprofit sector generally have performed far better.

Reliable information regarding elder-care facilities is found at Medicare’s website Medicare.gov. All are rated on a five-star scale. Five stars represents “much above average” and one star denotes “much below average.”

Reviewing Medicare’s website, only one Marin location merited a red warning sign. Pine Ridge Care Center of San Rafael got a two-star “below average” overall rating. That score was accompanied by a red flag with the comment, “This nursing home has been cited for abuse.”

California’s Department of Health reports Pine Ridge has “less than 11” resident and staff COVID-19 infections. Due to privacy concerns, the exact number isn’t disclosed by the state.

San Rafael Operating Co., L.P. is doing business as Pine Ridge. It has a Delaware entity with a Maryland address. Medicare indicates Atlanta-based Grancare, LLC, has “5% or more ownership interest” in Pine Ridge. Grancare’s website touts it “has 13,800 total employees across all of its locations and generates $72.75 million in sales. There are 340 companies in the Grancare LLC corporate family.”

This isn’t to condemn all privately operated long-term care centers, but the pandemic is exposing the for-profit senior care industry’s shortcomings that are well known to health care professionals.

There is a right way and a wrong way to run any public, private or nonprofit entity.

In Marin we have a retirement community with an unbelievably good record. The Redwoods, the Mill Valley nonprofit senior facility founded by the town’s Community Church, hasn’t discovered a single COVID-19 infection. That enviable safety record, plus securing an overall five-star Medicare rating, could be attributed to strictly enforcing safety rules plus a well-trained staff and cooperative residents.

The Redwoods isn’t even high-end, though after its recent reconstruction, its campus is top-notch. Of its 370 elder population, 40% of independent living residents take advantage of HUD Section-8 project-based certificates.

It’s proof positive that a diverse group of seniors can be comfortable, safe and happy in an affordable communal living setting if management is committed and profit isn’t the first or even second priority.

Getting the same five-star rating and equally COVID-free is the Tamalpais located in its landmark Larkspur tower. The upscale senior residence and long-term care center is operated by Sequoia Living, previously called Northern California Presbyterian Homes.

The key to success at the Redwoods and the Tamalpais, as it is with all well-run senior facilities, is a sufficient number of well-trained and motivated staff.

The problem facing for-profit elder-care homes is often a dangerously low staff-to-patient ratio. It’s a risky and often shameful way of doing business that needs to be drastically revised once this epidemic has run its course.

by: Maureen Kelly, KRON News

MARIN, Calif. (KRON) – The Marin County Health Department has released new data showing a steep drop off of COVID-19 cases in nursing homes following the distribution of second vaccine doses.

“This is exactly what we are hoping to see for the rest of the county,” Dr. Lisa Santora said.

Marin County’s deputy health officer says the first doses of the vaccine went into the arms of those working and living at skilled nursing and residential care facilities just as the winter surge was upon us.

A graph shows the daily active COVID-19 cases starting in mid-December. As the second doses began rolling out, the graph shows a dramatic drop in cases.

In January, there was a monthly average of 60 active daily cases among this population. In February, that average is down to 4.

Dr. Lisa Santora says this is a concrete example of the 95% effectiveness of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine.

“We see our future in a sense. We see the success that vaccination has had on protecting this population and now as we march forward and more vaccine supply comes, we will just see a continued reduction in hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19,” Dr. Santora said.

88-year-old Bob Crockett got his second shot Monday, which means he will be able to see his kids in person again soon.

“Over Zoom, you can have conversations but you can’t have communication. You really need to sit down with a person and talk to him and things come out that would never come out otherwise, so it’s the separation between humans that have really affected us the most,” Bob Crockett said.

Right now, the number of Marin County long term care experiencing a coronavirus outbreak is zero.

The Redwoods has a new CEO! Hunter Moore, an expert in senior housing planning and operations, joined the senior community in November, following an extensive national search and interviews with Redwoods Board members, Redwoods residents, and community leaders.

In announcing his hiring, Redwoods Board chair Claire McAuliffe said, “Hunter brings an extraordinary wealth of experience and a vision and perspective that will serve us well. This, coupled with his long-time commitment to enhancing the quality of life of older adults, made him absolutely the right choice for us.”

Moore comes to The Redwoods with experience in developing and running innovative senior communities at local, regional, national and international levels, and has served as a expert consultant in the field.

His interest in senior issues began early in life when he observed first-hand the pluses and minuses of senior housing when one of his grandparents needed a more protective environment. “Working in the field was a natural choice for me,” he says. “And right now, I am personally living these issues, since my parents are in a continuing care community.”

Since his arrival, Moore has been busy getting acquainted with Redwoods residents, staff, and volunteers, as well as the community-at-large. “I’ve already learned a tremendous amount about the culture of The Redwoods and the pioneering, creative and activist spirit for which this special place is known. I am honored to be leading this wonderful organization and look forward to continue to fulfill our mission of providing high quality, affordable housing and services to seniors in Marin County.”

Moore, who was born and raised in Massachusets, succeeds Barbara Solomon, who retired as CEO after 16 years of service. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he is married and has two grown children. He currently lives in Sausalito.