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North Bay senior communities find health and happiness through socialization, bonding and activities
F rom Mill Valley to Calistoga, North Bay seniors are improving their mental and physical well- being by taking time to enjoy and listen to one another. Having safe, open spaces that celebrate diversity and inclusivity helps older adults face down many hurdles, including medical concerns and differences in socioeconomic backgrounds. “The idea is to create a road map for what you want to do with the rest of your life,” says Cynthia Gregory, executive director of the Village Network of Petaluma. “Older adults who come to programs and events tailored to them learn they have options and a community. We advocate motivating people so they are excited to make friends.” The Village Network, a nonprofit that offers social programs for adults 55 and over, is one of many organizations across the North Bay that coordinates activities between its members and with other entities, such as senior centers, libraries, service organizations like Rotary clubs and chambers of commerce. The links between nonprofits, educational institutions, local businesses, libraries and senior centers is critical to establishing spaces that are secular and welcome seniors from all backgrounds. It can be particularly important to open the door to older adults such as LGBTQIA+ individuals and Spanish-preferring speakers, who face barriers that relate to language and prejudice. “We’ve learned that people come for different reasons, from eating lunch to finding space to be creative to making friends. Ultimately, what matters is that they walk through the door,” says Stacie Morales, executive director of Vintage House Senior Center in Sonoma. The first time an older adult comes to Vintage House, they can be a little quiet. A staff member will show them around and answer their questions. “When they come in the next time, they’re standing taller. After a week or two, it’s like they’ve been here forever. When we see them answering a newcomer’s questions, those are the moments that my staff and I smile at each other,” says Morales. Understanding the role of senior centers Senior centers are community spaces where older adults can come to learn, interact and access services like meals and fitness classes. Some senior centers are nonprofit organizations, while others are run by city governments, usually with parks and recreation department funds. Senior centers can offer their own programs and host those offered by other organizations. The Healdsburg Senior Center, which is run by the Community Services Department of the City of Healdsburg, has become an important space for older adults in northern Sonoma County to become engaged. “General isolation and isolation continuing because of the COVID-19 pandemic had been negatively affecting our older adults. The classes and activities we are holding keep their mind, By Jessica Zimmer
body and spirit moving,” says Anna Grant, active adult and senior services supervisor for the City of Healdsburg’s Community Services Department. Staff at the center often use icebreakers at events to introduce newcomers. These range from one-to-one introductions between people who have the same name to inviting people of different ages to share a table during Bistro, a free to $5 meal program held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “You can break bread with anyone. Offering meals also helps older adults who don’t have the resources or stamina to cook an entire meal. We usually average 20 to 45 people per meal,” says Grant. Since 2019, the Healdsburg Senior Center has seen its membership increase by 56%. Grant is now seeing “junior seniors” in their mid- 60s coming to events. “Finally, the ‘silver tsunami’ that was predicted is here. We see people from 60s to 90s share tables and talk,” says Grant. It can be a challenge to create programs for people from different generations. The three generations of older adults in the North Bay are the Silent Generation, born between 1928 and 1945, baby boomers, between 1946 and 1964, and Generation X, born from 1965 to 1980. “You’re trying to serve widely different demographics, folks who love the Glenn Miller Orchestra, those who like Bob Marley and the Wailers and those who enjoy Metallica. It helps to ask people what they prefer,” says Grant. One of the most successful social events is a birthday club with cake and ice cream. This occasion celebrates everyone with a birthday that month. Grant has found older adults from all income levels and backgrounds are looking for friends. “There are those who are financially secure, but all their family members work. Without us, they’d spend a lot of time alone. Then there are those with less financial resources who are still working but want to relax with people their own age. Everyone gains by coming here,” says Grant. Katie Davis, executive director of the Sebastopol Area Senior Center (SASC), says popular programs for multiple generations in West County include ride-sharing services, fitness classes, lunches, film nights and classes offered by the center or lifelong learning programs. “In 2023, we had 24,000 sign-ins for different programs. We offered programs to 2,300 individuals,” says Davis. Approximately 2,000 sign-ins were for LGBTQIA+ services. SASC’s queer-oriented programs include potlucks and caravan day trips and gay-men’s and lesbian-women's support groups. These groups hold mixers, walks and happy hours. SASC also keeps seniors connected to friends and family far away. Volunteers offer one-on-one technology tutoring to teach older adults how to use smartphones and laptops. SASC often sees attendees travel considerable distances to come to its programs, from Cazadero to Petaluma.
22 NorthBaybiz
February 2025
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