Discover the Age of Champions!

Age of Champions tells the story of five competitors who sprint, leap, and swim for gold at the National Senior Olympics. You'll meet a 100-year-old tennis champion, 86-year-old pole vaulter, and hard-hitting grandmothers who triumph over the limitations of age.

This PBS documentary is a powerful resource for senior advocates hoping to start a positive conversation about aging in their communities. The movie is available free on-line during its premier (April 18-April 28, 2013); to watch it, click here or the picture above. And please, feel free to share the link to the movie with others. Let's keep spreading the word!

AARP Tax Assistance Program

Starting the month of February and running through April 15th, 2013, AARP tax assistant volunteers are available to provide FREE tax preparation services to low and middle income individuals focusing on people 60 and over. This program is being offered at the Mastick Senior Center located at 1155 Santa Clara Avenue in Alameda. Appointments tend to fill quickly so it is advised to call ahead and make an appointment. The phone number to call to schedule an appointment is (510)747- 7506.  

Park Street Art and Wine Faire

The Park street art and wine festival is quickly approaching, it is held on the last weekend of July and is considered one of the biggest events in Alameda during the summer. The 2012 Park Street Fair will be July 28^th and 29^th from 10am to 6pm.  Alameda Elder Communities is pleased to announce that we will be there again this year! Our booth will be between Central and Santa Clara, about a half of a block from Starbucks. Come by and say “Hi!"

This year we we are excited to share information about Elders Village, a new, Alameda based non-profit we are sponsoring. Elders Village is an organization dedicated to encouraging seniors in coming together as a community.

We also will have information on the up and coming Phoenix Commons, the new senior loft community being built just across the Park Street Bridge. The lofts at Phoenix Commons are a new approach to senior living and co-housing, meant to encourage the sharing of resources and develop community. We are very pleased to say that there will be a scale model of the development on display within the booth. 

So please come down and enjoy all the Art & Wine Fair has to offer.

Safety and Accessibility Program being Offered to Seniors in Alameda

Alameda Fire department is offering an Alameda Safety and Accessibility Program that is free to low income seniors. The program offers a variety of home improvements that will help keep the people safe that are living with disabilities in their home. Things that are offered for free are installation of bathroom grab-bars, raised toilet fixtures, as well as fire safety installations such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, night lights and other fire safety devices. Some Free household modifications they offer are construction of wheelchair ramps and widening of doorways. If you would like to find out if you are eligible for this program you can contact the Alameda Fire Department at (510)337-2133.

Crisis Support Services for at Risk Seniors in Alameda County

Many people do not know that there is a fairly high rate of suicide in the senior community in Alameda County. The senior community only accounts for 10% or the population but people 65 and older account for 14% of all suicides. Luckily in Alameda county there are services offered to seniors who are feeling depressed due to social isolation, loss, grief, financial uncertainty or family discord. Many of these factors can lead to a feeling of hopelessness and, when coupled with increased isolation and self-neglect, can undermine all around health.

Luckily, Crisis Support Services exists and its goal is to support the senior community in Alameda County by offering grief support, mental heath services and crisis intervention. This free service currently serves more than 160 seniors within Alameda county through in home visits and on-site counseling; this means seniors have a choice to either be seen at home or to go to the CSS North Oakland office. The program is open to seniors within Alameda county, usually low income or home bound, who otherwise wouldn't have access to these types of services.

Every visit is beneficial by lessening the issue of isolation, helping seniors find their voice and bring meaning to their life. There are also a number of support groups offered to older adults. If you want more information on Crisis Support Services please go to http://www.crisissupport.org. For information on how to access these services you can also contact the Senior Counseling Program Director Devah DeFusco at (510)420-2475.