Eighty-two year old Jim Waggoner, who is confined to a wheelchair, was living in a nursing home when he met and fell in love with Cheryl, a nurse there. When they wanted to move into a home, they knew it would have to accommodate his special needs. They discovered a builder who embraced Universal Design which incorporates features (like flat entries and lever door handles) that are helpful for many more people than just those in wheelchairs — and it makes aging at home much easier. Read more and listen to an NPR story here.
Building Homes to Age In
Drum Circle Healing
EngAGE C.O.O. Maureen Kellen-Taylor (center) dances in the late-afternoon drum circle at an event at Burbank Senior Artists Colony. Ossie Mair, drumming facilitator. Drums provided by Remo Drums.
“Drum therapy is an ancient approach that uses rhythm to promote healing and self-expression . . . Recent research reviews indicate that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and produces feelings of well-being, a release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self.” Read more here about the healing benefits of drum circles.
Posted in Health, Music
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Experience Talks 11/19: John Outterbridge and Paul Cummins
Tune in to Experience Talks, our “Radio Magazine for the Experienced Listener.” Saturdays 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles, 98.7 FM Santa Barbara, 99.5 China Lake, 93.7 N. San Diego, streaming live online and now syndicated on up to 100 Pacifica Network stations! You can also hear previous shows on the Listen Page of our Experience Talks website.
This week: John Outterbridge and Paul Cummins
John Outterbridge – John Outterbridge has been called a “pivotal archeologist and architect” of the African-based aesthetic. A revered and well-known artist, he is also emblematic of Los Angeles art, where he was Director of the Watts Towers Cultural Center for more than 17 years. John’s art is currently being celebrated as part of Pacific Standard Time, an unprecedented collaboration of cultural institutions across Southern California coming together to celebrate the birth of the L.A. art scene. Our own Rebecca Novick met John Outterbridge at his Los Angeles studio, where stories and jazz music were served up.
Paul Cummins – Paul Cummins is Executive Director of New Visions Foundation, founder of the New Roads School, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, and the Center for Educational Opportunity. He also founded and served as headmaster of Crossroads School and founded P.S. Arts. Tim Carpenter talks to Paul Cummins about his new book, LOVE AND SQUALOR: MUSINGS ON CULTURE, LITERATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. To order the book, click here.
Posted in Experience Talks
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Kids & Seniors & Computers
EngAGE is always excited to find programs that link young people and seniors in meaningful ways. Older people are often great mentors, but young people can be mentors, too, especially when the topic is technology. And please note that this is an international phenomenon! Here are two more stories of kids helping seniors learn the ropes:
In Australia: “Seventy-five seniors took part in free mobile phone workshops at Mackillop College, assisted by senior IT students and technology guru Peter Blasina. Seniors were guided through mobile basics to make communication with family and friends easier, as well as being shown how to put their ICE (In Case of Emergency) number into their phone. Senior resident Pat Burke said the one-on-one time with her student helper Tabitha Plunkett made the workshop worthwhile. ‘I thought it was very good. I got more help from my student [Tabitha] than I did from Peter,’ she said. ‘He was far more advanced while she was sitting right here and guided me. Tabitha was a lot of help.'”
Read more here.
In Canada: “‘I need help figuring out the programming on my cell phone,’ Allison said. ‘And I need to find out how to look at the pictures in my camera after I take them. And I need to find out how to make the sound come out of the computer in these headphones.’ Allison was in the right place for some answers, as members of the North Island Youth Leadership Council invaded the seniors centre Saturday afternoon for their third tech workshop. . . It was part of a larger program designed to do a lot more than ease the transition of seniors and elders to modern technology. ‘In part, we’re trying to bridge the gap between elders and youth,’ said Michel Therien of the Ministry of Child and Family Development. ‘Some of the benefits we’ve seen is that the relationships between youth and elders have flourished. There’s a lot of repect and also a lot of fun when they get together.'”
Read more here.
Posted in International Perspective, Technology
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2011 EngAGE Senior Olympics Winners: Heritage Park Duarte
The Winning Team!
Congratulations to Heritage Park Duarte, winners of the EngAGE Senior Olympics held on October 15th! We’ll have more photos of the event to share soon.
Posted in Community Cup, Community News, Events, Exercise/Sports, Health
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StoryCorps National Day of Listening
“StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, and millions listen to our weekly broadcasts on NPR’s Morning Edition and on our Listen pages.”
This year’s National Day of Listening is November 25th and the theme is thank a teacher. Do you have a story about a special teacher you’d like to pass along to your heirs? Join in the celebration by recording it!
Posted in News in the Arts
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Focus on the Environment: Gray is Green
Gray Is Green (The National Senior Conservation Corps) serves as a clearinghouse for older adults interested in greening their lives, learning about sustainability, advocating for sound climate change policy, and serving as resources for younger people involved in sustainability. Whether you’re interested in learning how to prepare your winter garden, working to clean up air pollution, or getting a sustainable seafood shopping guide, the Gray is Green website will offer you useful information. Gray is Green is now in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Posted in Cooking/Gardening, Environment
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