AgeSong
Description
AgeSong Senior Communities honor elders as wisdom keepers and social contributors while caring for their every need within a rich community. AgeSong is the leading eldercare lifestyle provider in the San Francisco Bay Area. AgeSong enables residents to customize their lifestyle based on personal preference, religious affiliation, and medical needs. Care choices range from short-term rehabilitation to permanent residence.
AgeSong’s fundamental belief is that through providing elders with the opportunity to live a balanced lifestyle, elders can be who they truly are. In paying attention to the needs of the individual and of the community, AgeSong offers complete lifestyle options including balanced-nutritional-selections, mental-health and physical fitness programs, engagement activities, and continued learning and teaching opportunities.
AgeSong approaches aging from a different perspective, challenging attitudes about aging and elders. While most providers offer a safe environment, nutrition, housekeeping and other basic services, AgeSong approaches each aspect of care as an opportunity to interact. AgeSong celebrates the individual and focuses on community living within a learning environment.
Part of the AgeSong vision is to shift mainstream view of aging from a liability to a resource, and to reestablish the role of eldership in society. Each life is seen in its entirety, and each phase of life builds on those before. The various programs AgeSong has to offer include the flexibility to take the individual’s preferences into account to provide personalized care.
AgeSong’s mission is to design and build eldercare communities and manage them from a humanistic, elder-centered perspective. Foundationally, AgeSong conceives of itself as a learning organization. All of us are continually learning, at all times and wherever we are. Learning in an elder community learning of depth, not information; of wisdom, not knowledge. Elders teach us that the world is unknowable, always mysterious.
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AgeSong University, An Exceptional Eldercare Community Assisted living communities that have achieved a high level of quality care are rare. AgeSong University is an exception. It’s byline is “moving from assisted to community living.” AgeSong University, located on 350 University Street in San Francisco, is truly a community, with family members participating in activities and taking an active part in the community. From making pasta marinara to folding napkins to teaching community members and staff how to conduct an orchestra or provide gentle hand massage, to escorting loved ones on scenic and destination drives, to participating in special events and Elders Academy, family members have an active voice in the community. It’s not easy to provide a high quality of care in an assisted living community. Although the state of California has added stricter regulations on assisted living communities, most other communities are still not providing the quality of care that members of their communities deserve. Elder communities are looking spiffier than 10 years ago, with pretty pictures on the walls, inviting reception areas, clean and nicely designed show rooms. However, behind the scenes is a different story. Special events are highlighted in the press, but what about daily, meaningful interactions to stimulate those who cannot stimulate themselves and who are in physical and emotional pain? AgeSong University holds more meaningful group activities than any elder community I know. The advisor of the community’s unique Gerowellness Intern Program (psychology students in MFT and other masters level psychology degree programs) recently expressed concern that there are no open time slots for the interns to provide meaningful, relational care. Christopher Black, AgeSong's Director of Engagement and Education, responded, “We often have up to five groups going on at the same time. Elders should have an opportunity to choose an activity that meets their needs and interests.” AgeSong University also houses a hospice neighborhood adjacent to the Wellness Office and readily accessible to the 24-hour nursing staff. In 2014, University Mound Ladies Home, a retirement community for women, was about to close down. To save the community, AgeSong community members, staff, and related professionals throughout the Bay area staged protests at City Hall and Civic Center Plaza. San Francisco Supervisor David Campos shared his support for the historic center, telling demonstrators “The city has an obligation to step in.”He called for a more long-term solution and said if the care center closes it sends the wrong message to seniors. By mid- 2014, with the support of government officials, AgeSong took over the community, that was greatly in disrepair. Over the past two years, AgeSong has renovated the Chapel, large livingroom/reception area, living quarters, sunroom, dining room, bathrooms, and grounds. Spa areas and family meeting rooms were set up. In addition to sprucing up the building and grounds, AgeSong provided employees with ongoing training to implement the AgeSong philosophy of genuine respect for elders at any age, stage or ability, minimum medication, and carepartnering (as opposed to caregiving). When former Mayor Willie Brown, who had visited the community in the past, accepted an invitation to speak at AgeSong University’s inauguration of its Hospice Neighborhood to a roomful of elders, family members, staff, and related professionals, he commented on the liveliness of the community, with elders speaking up and addressing issues important to them. Providing a high level of eldercare in assisted living requires sufficient staffing and upkeep. Assisted living communities cannot receive government subsidy as can nursing homes. But community members at AgeSong Univeristy are living longer due to excellent engagement and a wide continuum of care through hospice. AgeSong is seeking support to continue operating the University location. Supportive testimonials would be appreciated. Post a message here. Thank you!
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The important thing Is to pull yourself up by your own hair To turn yourself inside out, And see the whole world with new eyes. --Peter Weiss, Marat-Sade This style of vision and the understandings it evokes may offer one of the few viable ways to avert, on one hand, global ecological collapse and, on the other hand, escalating social and economic inequities and divisions. Season, David, PHENOMENOLOGY, HEALING, AND THE NEW MILLENNIUM. Retrieved December 24, 2016: http://www.arch.ksu.edu/seamon/New_eyes.htm
The Hitsville Soul Sisters a Hit with WoodPark Elders
Hitttsville Soul Sisters a Huge Hit at AgeSong WoodPark http://agesong.com/today/17315/three-sisters-entertain-woodpark-elders/
Photos from AgeSong's post
AgeSong Celebrates 20 years! October 19th's Anniversary Celebration was held on the lovely Laguna Grove Terrace and featured amazing jazz with Sam Peoples and Lynne Billig!
Untitled Album
AgeSong 20th Anniversary Celebration
Photographer documents the beauty of difference across the LGBT spectrum
Speaking from the heart is the most effective way of managing a senior living community, according to Susan Saldibar. I also need to engage my left brain as the caboose to keep the train on the track.
“They” and the Emotional Weight of Words
You Are Invited to Open House at Laguna Grove
Join Us for Open House at AgeSong Laguna Grove July 26th 11-2pm http://agesong.com/today/16809/invited-open-house-laguna-grove/
All About Memory: A WoodPark Wisdom Keepers Educational Series Presentation
Join Wisdom Keepers session at WoodPark on July 20th 10:30am for a discussion on "All About Memory." http://agesong.com/today/16719/all-about-memory-woodpark-wisdom-keepers/
AgeSong WoodPark July/August 2016 Newsletter
AgeSong WoodPark July/August 2016 Newsletter The latest WoodPark Newsletter is out! Read the recent news, stories and about the upcoming events at the community.\ The 2016 July/August edition includes introductions to Sandra Mirasol, the new Executive Director, Natasha Swanson, Wellness Director, and Jan She, Outreach and Education Coordinator. Also find inside a photo of the new WoodPark Mural with the Julia Morgan Junior High School students who painted it, info on the bimonthly Family Connect Sunday Brunch and ongoing outreach, Upcoming Events and features on Ernie E, Elder of the Month, and Ina W June Elder Teacher of the Month. Check out the AgeSong WoodPark July/August 2016 Newsletter! Download the newsletter here: http://agesong.com/today/16739/agesong-woodpark-july-august-2016-newsletter/
AgeSong Hayes Valley/Laguna Grove July/August 2016 Newsletter
AgeSong Hayes Valley/Laguna Grove July/August 2016 Newsletter The latest Hayes Valley/Laguna Grove Newsletter is out! Read the recent news, stories and about the upcoming events at the communities. The 2016 July/August edition includes an introduction to Merryn Oliveira, the new Executive Director, info on the bimonthly Family Connect Sunday Brunch and ongoing outreach, Upcoming Events and also includes features on Jim, Elder of the Month, and the GeroWellness Program Interns. Check out the AgeSong Hayes Valley/Laguna Grove July/August 2016 Newsletter! Download the newsletter here: http://agesong.com/today/16725/agesong-hayes-valleylaguna-grove-julyaugust-2016-newsletter/
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