Aging is often obscured from movies, or portrayed in ways that perpetuate stereotypes about what aging is. The films at the Legacy Film Festival on Aging counter that by exploring more fully what it means to get older.
Arts & Culture
David Talbot Reflects on Recovering From Stroke in Latest Book
In his memoir “Between Heaven and Hell: The Story of my Stroke,” writer and journalist David Talbot reflects on the long journey toward recovery from a stroke that attacked his ability to swallow, care for himself and speak and write.
“Civic” Podcast
With Increased Isolation Comes Increased Risk of Being Scammed
Fear, uncertainty and isolation, pervasive during the coronavirus pandemic, present an opportunity for malicious actors to deceive consumers into revealing private information, buying fake products or falling to fraudulent schemes and sending money.
Aging
Elder Advocates Warn of Coronavirus Scams
Phone and email scams are nothing new, but crises create an opportunity for those who prey on fear, and during the coronavirus pandemic, variations on old scams have cropped up that target the vulnerable.
Neighborhoods
Coronavirus Spurs Neighbors in S.F.’s Sunset District to Create Mutual Aid Society
In less than two weeks,a well-meaning post in a neighborhood Facebook group has evolved into an extremely organized support system for an entire community during the time San Francisco’s COVID-19 shelter-in-place order is in effect.
Coronavirus
Tech Firms Could Keep Seniors Safe in Coronavirus Lockdown by Funding Connectivity
Guest opinion: Low-income San Francisco seniors are facing a connectivity crisis as well as a health crisis. For most Bay Area residents coping with the mandate to shelter in place as the coronavirus spreads, home internet access, devices and software platforms enable us to work from home, communicate with family and friends, use telehealth services and stay informed.
Aging
‘Master Plan on Aging’ Seeks to Provide Dignity for Seniors
Seniors have become an increasingly prevalent demographic in California. For every adult age 65 or older, there were previously five people under the age of 15. Now the ratio is almost 1-to-1. In response to this demographic shift, Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a “master plan on aging” to ensure elders have the care and support they need to age with dignity. Leading Age California, an organization that represents nonprofit senior living and service providers, has been pushing for such a plan. CEO Jeannee Parker Martin shares some insights into what the plan must consider and what its priorities could be.
Aging
Counting the City’s Homeless: A First-Hand Account From the Streets
Point-in-Time counts are “snapshots” of a city’s homeless population, relying on volunteers’ perceptions of homelessness. As such, the surveys are prone to error. They also fail to gather specifics about age and ethnicity, and don’t provide a full picture of the most vulnerable growing populations: infants and the elderly.
Aging
As Shelter Wait Times Soar, Older Homeless in Limbo Daily
The wait time for an emergency shelter bed for homeless San Franciscans has hit a record high, as growing demand outstrips availability, city records show. Among those waiting weeks on the list recently were someone 97 years old and three people in their 80s.
2016 Non-partisan Voter Guide
Proposition I: Creating a ‘Dignity Fund’ for Services for Seniors and Disabled Adults
This Charter amendment would create a “Dignity Fund” dedicated to annual, mandatory spending on services for seniors and adults with disabilities.
The Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 to put this initiative on the ballot.
Aging
Little old ladies set up shop selling ‘free’ food on streets of S.F.
With the Heart of the City Farmers’ Market gearing up across the street at 8:30 a.m. on a recent Wednesday, six elderly Asian women line up their wares across the front of the Grant Building and entreat pedestrians, calling softly: “Buy. You buy.” Canned Bartlett pears, bagged carrots and onions, boxes of Land O’ Lakes American cheese, packages of whole-wheat bagels, jars of Algood peanut butter, dried beans, sesame crackers and squat cans of evaporated milk were neatly displayed at their feet, along with grape juice and orange juice in plastic liters — clearly food obtained from community agencies’ free distribution programs.