Join us at the Longevity Center!
|
The Longevity Center is located at 24 East Cary Street on first floor of Senior Connections. While programming remains virtual for the time being, we welcome ideas for new topics.
Long-Life Round Table: Conversations for the Health of It Join us each Thursday at 3:00 pm (EST): (if you have challenges connecting, please email whitejt2@vcu.edu) https://zoom.us/j/91712481228?pwd=bms1VEl0aVB3MVA4Q2FKMjlTMDI4QT09 Join the Longevity Project for a greater Richmond for a weekly gathering to discuss what matters to elders because, well, elders matter! Each week we’ll consider a new topic, participate in activities, hear from experts in optimal aging, and share insights from our own lived experience of aging. Hosted by VCU gerontologist Dr. John Countryman, we’ll meet on Thursdays at 3:00 pm via the Zoom platform. An elder himself, Dr. Countryman is a Richmond resident, a retired Fine Arts and Communications professor, and CEO of the enterprise Storying Later Life. *Please note that the recorded episodes below are audio only. For the full episode, please contact us. Episode 1: Thursday, October 15th from 6:30 - 7:30 join John and special guest, Cas Overton for the first in a two-part series on Mindfulness and Meditation using tai chi and the Feldenkrais Method. Episode 2: Cas Overton explains and demonstrates the Feldenkrais method and fields some fantastic questions from the Zoom audience. Episode 3: Sharon Brewer is an enthusiastic Ageless Grace instructor who inspires her students to increase their range of motion and agility while having fun and enjoying social engagement. Ageless Grace is a chair exercise program that keeps your joints juicy and your body moving, and is the focus of her presentation this week. See Sharon on WTVR Channel 6! Episode 4: Host John Countryman discusses Guided Autobiography with vibrant participation from audience members. Guided Autobiography is an experience of bringing people together through writing, sharing and preserving personal narratives. Learn Best Practices for sharing your unique story! Episode 5: Host John Countryman and our elder panel discuss Resilience in an Age of National Recovery. As we work together to learn and grow, what are lessons learned? How will we adapt to Covid in 2021? How will we support diversity and inclusion for all (even people we don't always agree with)? Episode 6: The Shepherd Center's Director Julie Adams-Buchanan joins Barbara Brown from the Senior Center of Greater Richmond and Missi Boyer with Senior Connections to discuss their elder programming and the holistic benefits of volunteerism. Learn more about these resources in our region and their unique composition to meet an even more unique demographic. Thanksgiving Holiday: Programming Break Episode 7: Dr. Shannon Hebblethwaite, John and the audience discuss leisure and recreation...perfect for the holidays! Shannon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada and Director of engAGE: Concordia’s Centre for Research on Aging. This episodes evaluates recreation and leisure from a person-centered, individuated lens, rather than what society and the media tell us we "should" be doing as we age. Episode 8: Join John and Rachel Ramirez, Executive Director of the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield, for a robust conversation about the value of lifelong learning and how it contributes to Longevity. Episode 9: John and guests engage in a frank conversation about living with a Covid-19 diagnosis. Jean Yerian is a retired higher education administrator, with graduate credentials in English and counseling. Currently a resident of an Independent Living community, she was diagnosed with the virus in early April and is now considered a “Long Covid” case. Elizabeth Prom-Wormley, MPH, PhD, is Assistant Professor in the Division of Epidemiology for Department of Family Medicine and Population Health at Virginia Commonwealth University. Episode 10: A robust discussion with John on his experience developing Intergenerational Programming where we discuss the elements, opportunities and barriers. Episode 11: Art For the Journeys' Cindy Paullin and Stephanie Shanks join John for a discussion on "Opening Minds through Art" and how the program has been thriving with individuals living with dementia, Veterans, the incarcerated and more. Episode 12: Pilates with Martha Gelarden: The History and how to adapt the exercises in confining spaces. Episode 13: Dr. Brian Jory joins John to discuss how loving relationships have been impacted by these strange times. Learn from unique stories from participants about how some are struggling and some are thriving. Longevity U is a Longevity Project initiative that works with groups of Richmond-area participants to develop personal health and wellness action plans. These evidence-based courses are designed to contribute to participants’ emotional and physical health as well as social connectedness. Our financial health module also increases knowledge and skills, while showing participants the connection between social networks and financial health. Course topics include:
By the numbers:
To request a Longevity U course please contact: whitejt2@vcu.edu |
Other Programs and Resources
General Continuing Education Resources
General Elder Resources and Services from Senior Connections LGBTQ Older Adults and the Fight for Acceptance Dr. Ayn Welleford discusses Building Compassion Satisfaction with #VirtualPresentationFriday. Covid-19 Resources for Older Adults Virginia Center on Aging Capital Area Agency on Aging - Senior Connections Charles City County Chesterfield County Crater Area Agency on Aging Goochland County Hanover County Henrico County New Kent County Petersburg Powhatan County |
