Have you ever felt lonely? Or perhaps needed someone to talk to? Friends are always there to listen and to help us feel better. Unfortunately for many older adults, there are no friends left to turn to. Difficult life changes and the loss of their loved ones push many older adults deep into depression. But you can make a difference in their lives. If you live in San Mateo County and are 55 years or…
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About 28% of the population 65 years and older live alone. Eight out of ten have a chronic condition or illness, and one in four experience some form of mental disorder. Often overlooked, older adults who experience loneliness and social isolation have a serious health risk, equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In our community, older adults have a chance to fight against the negative impact that aging alone may have in their lives:…
Read MoreThe following is from a conversation in September between retiree Joan Gurasich, at Little House Activity Center in Menlo Park and 70 Strong Lead Navigator Theodora Kyle-Singer. What struck Theodora was Joan’s warm demeanor and her approach to transitioning from a high level Product Management and Marketing executive in the heart of Silicon Valley to a lifestyle of retirement. Joan graciously agreed to sit down over coffee to reflect on her life, decisions and philosophy…
Read MorePeninsula Family Service’s participants of the Mature Worker Job Coaching program visited the LinkedIn campus in Sunnyvale. This program, a collaboration between NOVA and Peninsula Family Service, is part of our Second Careers Program. During this visit, participants had small group conversations with employees. They also talked with HR representatives. In these discussions, they learned more about what LinkedIn looks for in prospect employees and about in-demand skills. This half-day event took place on October…
Read MoreAs Summer gives way to Fall in southern San Mateo County, schools resume for the year and families prepare for the next several months, it was fitting to explore transitions within the leadership of the Sequoia Healthcare District (SHD) where CEO Lee Michelson has just recently announced his retirement from over 8 years of tenure at the helm. Lee’s years of inspirational leadership and service in the non-profit sector included several organizations in the Midwest…
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Melvina is the face of our Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center, greeting everyone with warmth and openness from the first moment they walk through our doors. Through sheer force of personality, she pulls each and every person right in. Since 2007, Melvina has been a regular volunteer at our center for twenty-two hours a week. You will see Melvina wherever someone is needed, whether that is welcoming visitors at the front desk, passing out brown…
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Do you like chess? Are you 55 or older? We might have just what you are looking for! The Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center in Redwood City has a Chess Club. According to Karel van Delft, who gave a lecture at the 2015 London Chess Conference, chess is gymnastics for the mind. Our brains are muscles, and we must exercise them to keep them healthy. Those who play chess regularly stay mentally fit, thus delaying…
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The Senior Peer Counseling training starts this week. For information about training, contact us at 650-403-4300 Ext. 4389 or via email. Isolation is more than being alone. It is the result of feeling detached physically, psychologically, or being disconnected from support groups or family. Prolonged social isolation can equal the health risks of smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to a report from the AARP Foundation. Here at Peninsula Family Service, we believe that nobody…
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Senior Peer Counseling Open House If you have one hour a week, you can change a life. Many older adults in our community struggle everyday, finding it difficult to establish and maintain social connections that help them feel fulfilled. Here at Peninsula Family Service, we help older adults who are struggling to find that social connection improve their health and transform their lives. The Senior Peer Counseling Program provides FREE training and matches you with…
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Senior social isolation increases the risk of mortality; it affects the mental and physical well-being and leads to risky health behaviors. As we prepare for a growing population of older adults, Peninsula Family Service in partnership with the Sequoia Healthcare District, look to strengthen the connections between seniors and services in San Mateo County. Are you 70 or older, or do you know someone 70 or older living in Atherton, Belmont, Portola Valley, Redwood City, Redwood Shores,…
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