Vivalon, formerly known as Whistlestop, is Marin largest resource to older adults and people living with disabilities. The nonprofit has served the community for more than 60 years, and it continued to offer those services-including socially distant food delivery and social check-ins–amid a pandemic last year and well into this year.
With the recent reopening of Vivalon’s Healthy Aging Center, the nonprofit is creating a new healthy aging program in partnership with Dominican University to help older adults in Marin be proactive and improve overall health.
Kicking off this week, Vitality@Vivalon is a free eight-week program offering in-person opportunities to gain practical tools, information and support designed to promote healthy aging.
The in-person group sessions will take place at Vivalon’s Healthy Aging Center in San Rafael and will be facilitated by qualified Dominican University educators. The weekly topics include “Understanding Your Health,” “Social Engagement,” “Falls and Physical Activity,” “Cognition and Intellectual Activities,” “Diet and Nutrition,” “Sleep and Stress Management,” “Spirituality” and “Planning for the Future.”
“It is never too late to learn about our health, plan for the future, and become better equipped to take on any health challenges that might arise,” says Vivalon CEO Anne Grey in a statement. “We are living longer, so staying healthy is an important priority. Our new Vitality@Vivalon Healthy Aging Program encompasses so many of the elements that impact our health. It also takes advantage of the rich resources Vivalon offers through our array of regular programming.”
The program has the added advantage of integrating closely with many of Vivalon’s classes and services. Additionally, the program will also provide check-in visits for participants at three and six months following the completion of the eight weekly group sessions. The check-in visits are intended to support continued commitment to developing healthier habits and aging well.
Lucy Chen, an occupational therapy graduate student at the university who contributed to the effort, will facilitate the first eight-week program beginning July 22.
In addition to the group program, participants will have the opportunity to receive individual occupational therapy services to integrate what they are learning into their daily lives.
“It has been a thrill working with the Vivalon team to create this new healthy aging program,” says Chen in a statement. “I truly feel this is an innovative program, unique in its integrated and collaborative approach to healthy aging.”
Weekly sessions will be held in-person each Thursday starting July 22, 2021, at Vivalon’s Healthy Aging Center, from 10am to Noon.
At this time, participants must be fully vaccinated to attend. To register, or for more information, contact Jenn Mangosong-Shankle at jm********@vi*****.org or call 415.456.9062.
Vivalon recently announced the reopening of its Healthy Aging Center and Jackson Café. For more details on Vivalon’s reopening and safety guidelines, or for information about Vivalon services, programs, and volunteer opportunities, visit Vivalon.org.
