Fourth LCS Blog Visit to the Casa de Manana Retirement Community Today the seventh cohort of the Life Course Scholars Program made a visit to Casa de Manana retirement community located in La Jolla, California. When arriving at Casa de Manana Retirement Community, I was welcomed to a fresh salty sea breeze of the ocean and a beautiful scenic view of a never ending horizon of the aqua blue ocean (seen in the right image). While visiting the Casa de Manana Retirement Community one can't help but be stimulated by the surrounding nature of the crashing waves, the warm sun, and the vibrant vegetation. Introduction About Casa de Manana Retirement Community During our visit, we were given a brief history of Casa de Manana Retirement Community. Prior to this facility becoming a retirement community for seniors, a woman known by the name, Isabel Hopkins, built this historical Spanish style resort by the coastal seaside in La Jolla during the mid 1920’s. This once thriving getaway for people is now an incredible community of senior retirees. Tour in Casa de Manana Retirement Community This day's experience demonstrated the care and unity of this vibrant community, where seniors were engaging and connecting among one another. Also, I was blown away with the resident’s library that provided quietness and relaxation. While escaping away through the pages of a book one can also enjoy a scenic view of the ocean through the arch windows; fully capturing the outside nature. In this designated area I captured a nice gentleman enjoying his time sorting out pieces of the puzzle onto color coordinated trays. Having an Opportunity to Meet Alice During our visit we had an opportunity to interact with a phenomenal group of people who live here at Casa de Manana Retirement Community. Each of them had a chance to introduce themselves and share a brief synopsis of themselves which was enlightening. There was one person in particular named Alice (seen in the photo holding the mic) who captured the attention of my cohorts and I. When paired into discussion groups, we quickly gravitated towards Alice seeking to hear her speak about herself, In doing so, I encounter such a rich soul seeking to know each of us on a personal level from topics of ambitions, education, challenges, and life. This was a nice experience to see someone investing their time with us students. As much as Alice sought questions from us, we soon began to learn more about her. She was born in the year of 1919, and was from the state of Washington. When her husband passed away she became a single mother to three children, yet it never stopped her from pursuing her education and receiving her masters as a counselor. She further shared that later on in her life she became a dean; which was a great accomplishment for a female stepping into a predominantly male role. While listening to Alice share things about her life, I would have never thought I would be speaking with a woman who one week ago was selected as a change maker nominee by us students at UCSD seventh cohort LCS program. It was revealed to us that she was the Alice we nominated when one of my cohort peers asked Alice if she participated in leading a woman's walk, which she stated yes. This blew me by surprise! I couldn't help but think what a privilege it was to have met her in person. Overall, visiting Casa de Manana Retirement Community was a rich experience that allowed us students to engage with remarkable seniors who live here. From the beginning of our arrival we were welcomed by a former UCSD alumni and our tour guide. Both women demonstrated such hospitality within this luxurious paradise that provides the quality of life.
Third LCS Blog Visit to Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center This week the seventh cohort Life Course Scholars Program, made a visit to the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center in downtown San Diego. Prior to receiving a tour around the Senior Center facility we were introduced to the head CEO Paul Downey. During his presentation he emphasized the purpose of the West Senior Wellness Center, which is an onsite communal space that allows seniors to interact with one another of the following programs and amenities (e.g. exercise classes, social activities, entertainment lounge areas, and dinning hall). He further articulated a trend that is growing rapidly, which is the elder population also known as the “Silver Tsunami.” Therefore, a leading concern within the state of California, is the cost of living, which has heavily impacted seniors of the homogeneity of affordable housing. For example, in one particular scenario there was an individual who was unable to meet the monthly rent by $300 dollars, that led him/her to becoming houseless, which is unfortunate to hear that a sum of this population are experiencing this. Although the West Senior Wellness Center is not a senior housing facility it demonstrates a sense of community where seniors are allowed to connect and socialize with one another. Love, Connect, and Care Event February 12, 2022 The event Love, Connect, and Care, was held at the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center, in downtown San Diego. This event was organized by the University of California San Diego (UCSD), from the seventh cohort Life Course Scholars Program, under the guidance of professor Leslie Lewis. Furthermore, this event had brought professor Lewis, TAs, and students together by devoting their time towards setting up an extraordinary, festive, memorable event for the seniors. It was a fun and active day where students engaged and connected with the seniors through fun social activities such as; (e.g. jeopardy, bean bag and ring toss, and a photo stand) that brought so much laughter. Also, there were other social activities that brought relaxation such as (e.g. potting a personalized sulcus plant, painting, and yoga), and the fun did not end. There were give away bags with personalized printed love letters from each cohort and goodies inside, also to mention a section of clothing apparel, jewelry, and home accessories were showcased for seniors to select from. During the final hour seniors who enter their raffle tickets had an opportunity to win a starbuck gift card or a gift bag. I would say this was the most climactic part of the event witnessing the cheers and smiles.
This week two guest speakers joined our class through a virtual zoom meeting to introduce an affordable housing community called Talmage Gateway. This housing community was designed for individuals who are seniors and houseless. Therefore, the approach of this development seeks to facilitate seniors and meet the needs such as; (e.g. medical care, independence, social support, etc). Although I was anticipating a physical tour at Talmage Gateway housing community, it was eloquently conducted so well by Tricia through virtual zoom. Surprisingly, the development modeled amenities created to meet the homogeneity of those who do live there and consisted of the following features: (e.g. laundry, rooftop terrace, computer lounge, large community room, courtyard, and parking). In addition, to this virtual meeting, there was an individual named Bruce. I must share, he had an impact on me and his story moved me deeply. Bruce shared how he is a seventy-six-year-old veteran who once experienced being houseless, and he emphasized how significant it is for society not to look down or neglect those who are houseless. Therefore, Bruce proposed we ought to look at each individual as a “human being” rather than casting and labeling people based on the conditions they are in. This was an imperative statement to evaluate, rather than looking at their circumstances, we ought to make the efforts of engaging and building relationships with people who are in need of support. He further stated how elated he was when he received his single-unit living space and how it felt good to place a “key” into the keyhole of his door. This is something that I reflected upon, how significant it is to have a “Home”, such a simple illustration, however, so impactful! Today, I feel so appreciative to be a part of this learning community, Life Course Scholars!
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Sarina LopezArchives
March 2022
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