Despite what you might have heard, according to the World Health Organization, life expectancy globally increased by more than six years between 2000 and 2019. If you want to give a gift to yourself this season you might look to “Blue Zones” for tips on how to discover ways, in addition to modern medicine, to increase your longevity and enjoy it too.  

Blue Zones are areas where people experience lower rates of chronic disease and routinely live to be over 90. According to Dr. Landsverk, author of Living in the Moment, people living in the Blue Zones share some fundamental lifestyles, including: movement a part of their daily routine; having a sense of purpose; prioritizing stress relief through meditation or prayer; eating a largely plant-based diet; minimizing alcohol and smoking; and being an integral part of their community.

Further, she says that “it’s what I don’t recommend that is the unexpected secret,” Dr. Landsverk says that many Americans turn to detoxes, fad diets and supplements, but the research on those is conflicting at best and she doesn’t recommend them. She also notes that using Motrin, Ibuprofen and Naprosyn daily increases your risk of enema, heart failure, heart attack, stroke, dementia and kidney damage. While she strongly advocates for treating pain, she recommends taking a single, long-acting Tylenol tablet twice daily along with daily stretching and moving more. Not only does the pain subside, but by being more active, your strength, balance, and risk of falling diminishes significantly.

Dr. Landsverk also notes that resveratrol, the polyphenols that act like antioxidants in a glass of red wine, is not as protective to the brain as earlier studies have seemed to indicate. “For quality of life, it’s nice to have a glass of wine with a special meal, but don’t think of it as vitamins.”  She also recommends vitamin D3 for bone strength and vitamin B12 for nerve function. While it is unfortunately tough to get these vitamins from a plant-based diet, fatty fish (like salmon), eggs and dairy products contain vitamin D3 and vitamin B12.

So, this holiday season, if you want to provide a gift to yourself, try eating more plants and eggs, meditating, stretching and maybe enjoying a glass of red wine. You might also look for a way to share your talents with others in our community. That sounds pretty good, and the doctor says it’s good for you. Enjoy!

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bymvchamber | Oct 16, 2024 |
The Redwoods, Mill Valley’s Community of Seniors, has been working to reduce its water usage through participation in Marin Water’s “Cash for Grass” program that offers rebates to homeowners and businesses that replace grass with drought tolerant landscapes. Since completing the project in August, The Redwoods, home to over 300 low- and moderate-income seniors, has achieved a reduction of water usage by a third over last year.

“It all started about a year ago, in the wake of California’s most recent drought, which decimated much of the property’s grass areas,” says Hunter Moore, CEO of The Redwoods. The senior community was faced with a choice: replace the turf or chart a different course. Taking advantage of Marin Water’s Cash for Grass Program, this summer, The Redwoods replaced10,000 square feet of grass with drought tolerant plants in two highly visible portions of the grounds.

The program is widely supported by The Redwoods residents,as it not only is environmentally responsible but will enable the community to significantly reduce their water usage and save money that will be passed on to reduce rental fees. “People are excited about it,” said Taylor Kelly, Director of Facilities at The Redwoods. “It is different, but that is the direction we need to go in.”

The nonprofit community is located at the busy intersection of Miller Avenue and Camino Alto, across the street from Tam High School and close to the Mill Valley Middle School.

The Redwoods also received a grant from Marin County for a “Community Partners” grant to fund permanent signage illuminating the need for water conservation. Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters said she was happy to support this important project and hopes that others will be inspired to create similar projects at their own residences.

We have now set a new goal to reduce our outdoor water usage by 50%, and our domestic water use by 25%.“That is a lofty goal, and our philosophy at The Redwoods is—every drop counts.”

According to Moore, The Redwoods also has also been re-certified by Marin County as a Green Business. “The Redwoods residents, team and Board are committed to being good stewards of the environment, the residents, and our finances. This is another win-win-win in a long line of sustainability projects for our community,” Moore added.

Marin Water’s Cash for Grass program has allowed The Redwoods to save water and money, plus it will be a lasting model for others to follow.

For more information on Marin Water’s Cash for Grass program, visit www.marinwater.org/Cash4Grass. For more information on The Redwoods, visit www.theredwoods. org.

To schedule an interview, please contact Christian Mills, Director of Fund Development, at 415-383-1600 ext. 267 orcmills@theredwoods.org.

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Welcome to the era of super-aging. The U.N. estimates that half of today’s 5-year-olds can expect to live to 100. That is potentially exciting news, but only if we can enjoy those years. William J. Kole, author of The Big 100: The New World of Super-Aging, thinks he has found some answers.

Kole met Jeanne Calment who, at the time, was considered the oldest person who ever lived. Kole’s biggest takeaway was not Calment’s diet or exercise routine but her incredibly positive attitude. “This was a woman who liked to crack jokes at 121.”  Kole notes that a study found those who were positive about their aging lived 7.5 years longer than those who had negative beliefs.

Research also shows that people with a sense of meaning wind up living longer and having better overall physical health. Kole suggests a learner’s mindset can help you identify what makes life worth living. “She took fencing lessons when she was 85 years old,” he says of Calment. “She recorded a rap album at 120.” Kole suggests, “Having something to get up in the morning for, a reason to live, actually adds life and vigor, mentally and physically.”

Kole also notes that, “Faith adds years to our lives. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam… studies have been done to suggest that people who have a religious belief tend to live up to five and a half years longer than people who don’t.” But faith and spirituality do not always have religious ties. “Simply relinquishing your burdens to forces greater than yourself can make a difference in your longevity,” Kole shares.

In summary, eating well and exercising are good for us all. Having a positive attitude, a sense of purpose and a faith practice, though, are common traits among super-agers, and they may be even more important. Those might seem easy to do, but putting them into practice takes intention – and pays big dividends!

How did you sleep last night? If your answer is, “not that great,” you are not alone. According to the CDC, experiencing problems falling, or staying, asleep are common among adults over age 65. It turns out that there are legitimate reasons for this challenge and sleep doctors know exactly what to do about them.

Sleep medicine physician, Dr. Audrey Wells, MD, notes that our bodies produce less melatonin (that chemical that helps us sleep) as we age.  She also said that light sensitivity is lower with age and that effects our circadian rhythm. Wells adds that daytime napping can impact sleep too and that it is common to have to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Plus, she notes that seniors may experience mood issues (like depression, anxiety, and grief) more frequently due to “changes in living situations, loss or health concerns.”

So, it is not our fault, but what can we do about it? Well, here are four tips for sleeping more soundly. Stick to a consistent schedule by waking up and going to bed around the same time each day and avoiding napping. Try to get at least 15 minutes of sunlight on your face each day to help regulate your melatonin. Boost activity levels during the day with exercise that increases heart rate and includes strength training, balance, and flexibility. Last, make sure the temperature in your bedroom is approximately 65°F.

That all sounds surprisingly good, and we live in an environment where each is relatively easy to do. So, if you find yourself not sleeping well, follow those four simple doctors’ orders. You will find it more effective, and easier, than counting sheep. Here is wishing you a good night’s sleep tonight!

by Donna Berry Glass, Marin Magazine July 26, 2024 –

The Redwoods, an affordable, vibrant senior living community in Mill Valley, held its Springtime at The Redwoods: A Celebration of Mothers benefit on May 16 on its beautiful 10-acre grounds. 200 supporters attended and raised $240,000 towards the nonprofit’s new memory care center.

Guests Delighted in International Fare and Inspirational Music

Attendees, which included special guests Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Urban Carmel, Jed Smith, Ray Kaliski and Grace Hughes, feasted on fare prepared by The Redwoods’ in-house dining services provider Unidine. The dinner included an assortment of international cuisines that consisted of a carving station with duck and steak, plus an assortment of paella, pastas and Asian-themed fare. Guests also enjoyed an acoustical performance by Heléna Tietze, a music therapist with a passion for working with older adults experiencing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The Tamalpais High Jazz Combo performed during the event’s reception hour.

A New Era of Memory Care

The evening’s keynote speaker, Cynthia Davis, shared her heartwarming story of moving her mother from The Redwoods due to her mom’s need for more secure care — but, thanks to the new memory care center, was able to relocate her mother back to The Redwoods, where her mom will receive the care she needs while being surrounded by the community she loves, including familiar friends and staff.

“This springtime celebration, in addition to the outpouring of support for the creation of our new Memory Care Center at The Redwoods, was inspiring and affirming,” said J. Hunter Moore, CEO of The Redwoods. “Our unique and creative approach, which preserves the open and free-flowing nature of our community, is the critical final piece to the spectrum of accommodations and services we offer.”

Moore added, “the only reason a resident had to leave us during my tenure was due to her need for care in a secure area. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the thoughtfulness of our team, that will no longer be a concern. We are all — residents, families, team members and related parties—truly excited about offering assisted living memory care here.”

The Redwoods Thanks Its Sponsors

The evening’s sponsors included Harbor Point Charitable Foundation, Grace Hughes, JMC Construction, Pacific Inpatient Medical Group, and Unidine.

For more information on The Redwoods, please visit the redwoods.org.

Photos: Fred Larson

Now is an enjoyable time to be a senior. Older Americans are among the happiest people in the world, coming in 10th on Gallup’s worldwide happiness rankings.  That compares to a 62^nd rank for younger citizens. Researchers have long pointed out that old age is better than most may think. This might be surprising to readers, but a recent study helps clarify the issue.

The study indicated that psychological well-being plays out over a lifetime in a U-curve. Happiness usually starts high in youth, drops during the stresses of middle age, and picks back up after around age 55. The younger end of the curve is changing in America, as younger people are showing higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide but the upswing after seniors continues.

One reason is that older people are, overall, doing better financially. According to a Bloomberg report, seniors hold 30% of the country’s wealth. Retirees also get a form of universal basic income, via Social Security, which is adjusted for inflation. Further, nearly 80% of adults age 65 and over own their homes and that means they were better protected from inflation.

Also, seniors reported having more social support and were less lonely than the young, even though they had fewer social connections. Seniors were more likely to answer “yes” when Gallup asked if they have a friend, they can call on in a time of need than younger respondents. Social bonds have been shown to be a key factor in happiness.

It is important to note that the Gallup poll was conducted from 2021 -2023. This was a time when younger respondents were still emerging from the isolation of the pandemic, and many were not able to go to school in-person. So hopefully the younger respondents will soon return to higher ratings of their happiness. That said, it is still pretty encouraging to see that being a senior, with the right financial plans and social support, can be a happy period of life. Here is hoping it certainly is for you.

At any age, the dating scene can be daunting. If you are a single senior, by now you have learned a great deal about people, and it might be easier for you. You are more accepting of your own idiosyncrasies and those of others. There is, however, one area you might be overlooking. Did you know that sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates have risen sharply among seniors?

The CDC’s latest statistics show that STDs that have skyrocketed since 2000 and are infecting people aged 55 and older at an alarming rate. In 2022, there were 19,766 Chlamydia cases among Americans aged 55 and older, 5,160 reported cases of Syphilis, 1,041 cases of Hepatitis C and 18,804 of Gonorrhea.  According to CDC charts, the state with the highest HIV diagnoses among seniors in 2021 was Florida with 585 cases, but California followed with 453 cases.

Experts believe STD cases among older Americans may be higher because of the sex education they received, or did not get, as adolescents. In an interview with NBC News, Texas A&M professor Matthew Lee Smith claimed that STD cases in seniors may be influenced by how they were taught. “Back in the ’30s, the ’40s, the ’50s, traditional school wasn’t really doing sexual education.”

We are, however, social animals. Having a close, loving relationship has been shown to be a key influencer in happiness among seniors and a primary factor of overall physical and cognitive health. Practicing safe sex is important, but it is not a conversation most seniors are comfortable having with their children or even most friends. If you are dating though, and intend to take things to an intimate level, before you do, please find someone you can trust (like your primary care physician or a close confidant) and have “the talk.” Here is wishing you a fun, fulfilling and safe dating experience.

Hospice care is an undeniably challenging subject to discuss, yet its importance, particularly as someone approaches the end of life, cannot be overstated. Addressing the realities of terminal illness and the emotional toll that it takes on people and their loved ones requires great sensitivity, as well as compassion. Hospice care provides a supportive framework that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and quality of life in the final stages of a person’s journey.

Receiving hospice care can provide comfort and compassionate support for hospice clients, as well as their family members, during a truly difficult time. A Medicare-certified hospice provider must meet certain criteria to engage in the provision of such services. Depending on the individual needs and circumstances, these services can be provided in a skilled nursing facility, an inpatient hospice facility, an assisted living facility, and even at home with the help of family members and/or full-time caregivers.

A Medicare-certified hospice agency currently can provide four levels of services which includes inpatient hospice, home hospice, respite hospice, and continuous homecare. Hospice agencies employ teams of doctors, clinicians, caregivers, and counselors who are trained to provide myriad services such as symptom control, pain management as well as emotional and spiritual support.

This allows hospice clients and their families to spend quality time together while also receiving guidance and support throughout the end-of-life journey.

The First Level of Hospice Care Is Inpatient Hospice

Inpatient hospice care is typically the first level of care individuals receive when beginning their hospice journey. Many can benefit from round-the-clock nursing care and support in an inpatient facility setting, such as a hospital or dedicated hospice center like the Grove at The Redwoods. Hospice recipients and their family members will receive routine home care as well as emotional support for difficult decisions that may arise during end-of-life care.

The Second Level of Hospice Care Is Home Hospice

Home hospice, the second level of hospice care, allows hospice clients to receive continuous and routine home care services. This gives them the comfort of remaining in their own homes while being cared for by a multidisciplinary team of professionals such as nurses, doctors, and other specialists. Furthermore, home hospice provides great support so that family caregivers can spend quality time with their loved ones.

Home care visits are especially helpful when symptoms require extra attention from a professional; hospice staff can provide person-specific treatments and extra monitoring as needed.

The Third Level of Hospice Care Is Respite Hospice

Respite hospice care is the third level of hospice care and is designed to provide short-term, continuous care in a hospital or nursing facility for hospice clients while temporarily relieving their family caregiver(s) from providing around-the-clock care at home.

This level includes routine medical attention from doctors and nurses, medical social services to keep the person comfortable, and specific types of pain control that may not be available with routine care.

Bereavement counseling is also offered to family members both before and after the hospice client’s passing. The purpose of respite hospice care is to allow family caregivers to take regular breaks while ensuring that the hospice client receives all necessary care.

The Fourth and Final Level of Hospice Care Is Continuous Homecare

Continuous home care is the most intense level of hospice care, providing medical support around the clock for hospice clients with severe medical needs. It involves medical interventions to control and relieve extreme pain, allowing the individual to maintain a good quality of life while their condition progresses.

Although this blog post is only a high-level overview of the complex subject of hospice care, our hope is that this may serve as a conversation starter. Grappling with impending loss of life is a deeply emotional and jarring experience, to the say least. Working with a hospice agency to alleviate some of that burden can help provide more opportunities to create meaningful memories during the most challenging moments of life. Simply stated, the primary objective of hospice care is to help individuals spend their remaining time in a peaceful environment, and to help maintain quality of life. By acknowledging the difficult reality of death, we can reframe the conversation to what can be done to give what each person deserves, a good end.

The Redwoods awards eight Marin County graduating seniors a total of $32,000. Speaker Louetta Erlin is pictured. Photo courtesy of The Redwoods.

POSTED BY: SARA BRISCOE MOSELEY – MARIN IJ – JUNE 13, 2024

For more than 30 years, The Redwoods scholarship committee has raised funds and granted awards to graduating high school senior class members  in Marin. This year, the committee awarded eight students a total of $32,000.

The Scholarship Committee is composed of nine members led by residents Louetta Erlin and Sylvia Schwartz. Winners are selected based on several criteria including academic achievement, activities in the community, jobs, classes, awards, and financial need. This year’s recipients are:

• Cade Palmer, Novato High School
• Dean Gustavson, Tamalpais High School
• Lana Johnson, Terra Linda High School
• Noela DeFrenza, San Marin High School
• Sebastian Vigil, San Rafael High School
• Surabhi Chinta, Novato High School
• Taylor Lapic, Novato High School
• Zunirah Ishfaq, Tamalpais High School

“The future of so many high school students who have a strong desire to succeed have sacrificed so much to earn a scholarship no matter how small. The Redwoods annual Scholarship Awards help students with books and tuition, and I am so proud to support them,” said Redwoods resident Barbara Lombardi.