July 7, 2006

No More Rocking Chairs: Modern Day Aging Showcased
San Mateo County Times

Pundits say the Baby Boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964) will change the face of aging. I suppose the over-60 set is supposed to sit around on their golf carts — as is their stereotyped habit — and get used to it.

But has anybody noticed that a lot of pre-Boomers have been demonstrating these "upcoming" changes for years? Ten years ago for his 90th birthday, a friend's father accompanied her and her husband on a fishing trip to Alaska . Twenty years ago, another friend working in China welcomed annual visits from his Louisiana-based mother, then in her 80s. The Sierra Club is filled with hikers in their 70s and upwards who leave younger club members gasping. (I speak from experience.)

Although the sages don't acknowledge it, increasing numbers of Americans in their 70s, 80s and 90s are and have been remaining healthy, active and engaged for years. The so-called "upcoming transformation" of America 's aging population is already under way.

A photo exhibition of county seniors, opening today at Borel Bank & Trust in San Mateo, reflects these views.

Taken by local photographer Mark Brandenburg, the 15 portraits of individuals and couples — the oldest person is 94 — reflect a diverse group engaged with and enjoying life. Almost all live in senior housing operated by the nonprofit Lesley Foundation.

There's a mother in her 90s and her son in his 70s, both ready to set off on his motorcycle. There's a couple in their garden, eyes twinkling. There's a portrait of a couple who have discovered love later in life.

"The idea for the exhibit came from our staff's realization of the misconceptions people have about seniors," Sarah Lambert, executive director of the foundation, said in a telephone interview. "People think of them as a group, all the same, without individuality. But the staff found the residents active and involved. We decided to try to capture that energy on film."

Most of the subjects live at Lesley Gardens , 701 Arnold Way , Half Moon Bay , the newest of four affordable housing complexes operated by The Lesley Foundation. Founded in 1944, the foundation aims to provide affordable housing and services to seniors in San Mateo County . Other foundation sites in the county are Bonnie Brae Terrace in Belmont and Park Towers and Pilgrim Plaza, both in San Mateo. Lesley Gardens opened in January 2004.

"There's a change going on in the way seniors choose to live their lives," Lambert said.

Many are choosing to move into senior housing facilities later in life than before — between ages 85 and 90 compared to the mid-60s in earlier decades.

"Facilities and services that cater to seniors will have to expect much more active people than they have before. They're living longer and healthier lives," Lambert said.

And they have different expectations.

The organization's response to one such expectation — about food — was to hire a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America to revamp a food program that incorporated institutional food prepared off site. The chef trained current food staff in on-site preparation of fresh meals, including salmon and local produce from the Coastside.

"The staff got new skills and the clients got great food," she said.

Finding affordable housing, especially low-income affordable housing, is a challenge throughout California, especially in high-priced San Mateo County . Consequently, Lesley Gardens and the Foundation's other affordable housing facilities have waiting lists. Besides income from rents and fees, funding for the foundation comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the city and county of San Mateo, city of Belmont and private and other donations. Lambert said the federal administration hoped to cut funding for affordable housing this year, but negotiations managed to "maintain current levels."

"It's always a fight," she said.

For the photo exhibition, Brandenburg donated hours of photographing subjects in their environments at the 64-unit Lesley Gardens complex. When foundation board member Barbara Evers, senior vice president at Borel Bank, saw the photos in May at Hillsdale Shopping Center , she invited the exhibition downtown.

The "Power-Aging Photo Exhibit," will run July 7-13, Borel Bank & Trust, 160 Bovet Rd. , San Mateo . For information on the Lesley Foundation, income eligibility requirements and other questions, call 726-4888 or visit http://www.lesleyfoundation.org .

Affordable housing for seniors in the county is available through other sources, including Rotary Club and Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition.

E-MAIL SAVVY — If you get an e-mail or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, don't reply or click on the link in the message.

Legitimate companies don't ask for this type of information via e-mail. If concerned about your account, contact the institution. Use a telephone number you know to be genuine.

I include these tips from "Scams & Swindles: How to Recognize and Avoid Internet Era Rip-offs," The Silver Lake Editors, Silver Lake Publishing, (360) 532-5758, because I was almost scammed this way by a message I thought was from AOL. Fortunately, I called AOL before filling out the required information and was told the company doesn't ask for personal information. It was a close call.

INPUT NEEDED — Redwood City residents interested in programs for seniors are invited to attend the Senior Affairs Commission at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at Casa De Redwood, 1280 Veterans Blvd. , Redwood City .

CAREGIVER WORKSHOP — A free workshop on "Keeping Away the Caregiver Blues" for home and professional caregivers is set for Tuesday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. You need only a phone. In a conference call, Professor Carol Smith, University of Kansas School of Nursing, will discuss ways to maintain physical and emotional health while caring for a loved one, including tools to help reduce stress.

Participants must register to receive a toll-free dial-in number and workshop training materials. To register, call Caregiver Resource Centers (CRC), 800-445-8106, Ext. 450 or visit http://www.californiacrc.org . The event is sponsored by Mountain and Del Oro Resource Centers and Family Caregiver Alliance.

Senior Journal appears every Friday with news and information about senior life in San Mateo County . To submit items of interest to Joan Aragone, call 348-4332 or write to Senior Journal, San Mateo County Times, P.O. Box 5400 , San Mateo 94402 . You can also e-mail items to fogbelt2@aol.com .