The CEI Blog

Protect yourself & others by getting vaccinated     As your mother may have told you, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” One of the best and easiest things we can do to prevent certain diseases is to get vaccinations. Adults may also be at risk for vaccine-preventable disease due to…

How to avoid heat-related illness People aged 65 years or older are more prone to heat-related health problems. Other factors that might increase your risk on hot days include high humidity, obesity, fever, dehydration, prescription drug use, heart disease, hypertension, poor circulation, sunburn, and alcohol use. Symptoms of heat stroke include fever (over 103 degrees…

Can you believe that the end of the summer is here and fall is on its way? If you haven’t already, take a trip to the beach with friends and family, enjoy Pier 39 in San Francisco or simply go to a park and enjoy reading a book in the shade. Wherever you go or…

We are never too old to learn something new or contribute our time and skills to others. If you no longer work full-time, the East Bay has many ways to enjoy and enrich your retirement years. Senior Centers offer classes and activities to keep our minds sharp and bodies healthy. Volunteering is a rewarding way…

  “One Moment, we fell in Love” Linda Metcalf and Tobin (Toby) Simon met while teaching at Pratt Institute, a small arts college, in Brooklyn, New York. In 1976, they became officemates and in “one moment, we fell in love,” she says. During that time, Mr. Simon also stepped in to help raise Ms. Metcalf’s…

About 20 percent of people in the U.S. have an allergy. So don’t let your allergies sideline you this summer! Remember to stay away from allergens that cause your immune system to flare up. Keeping your home clean and dry so it is free of pollen, mold, pet dander and dust mites will help to avoid…

Winter calls for hearty meals that provide our bodies with the energy needed to keep us warm. But as the season changes and the weather becomes milder, we don’t need our bodies to work so hard. This means we should choose lighter meals with fresh flavours. Meal planning is a great way to save money…

Under the Magnifying Glass: The Senior Health Policy Forum Nearly 300 senior advocates, policymakers, and Linda Trowbridge (our CEO) and Grace Li (On Lok CEO) welcomed attendees and spoke about PACE programming. “Today, 2,200 seniors around the Bay Area are not living in nursing homes because of PACE. This morning hundreds of seniors are being…

As the weather warms up, trees grow, flowers bud and bulbs produce bright colors and there’s a natural urge to come out of hibernation and for many of us to start getting our hands dirty. While gardening can be a great form of exercise and stress relief, it can also improve your cardiovascular health. And…

The staggering truth about the growing number of homeless adults Homelessness was one of the issues senior advocates, policymakers, and senior service providers discussed at the 2017 Bay Area Senior Health Policy Forum (SHPF), a one-day conference held on December 6th and co-hosted by CEI and On Lok. As published in The Gerontologist (February 26, 2016),…

My mother was an independent, strong-willed, vibrant 71-year-old living in Florida. She lived with my Aunt Mary, was a fantastic cook, loved to decorate and go out.  Then the flu landed her in the hospital and after that, our lives changed forever. While in the hospital, Mom was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. I…

What are some free things to do near me? We’ve got the answer! Here is a full calendar of events we have hand-picked for you. From Richmond to El Cerrito, Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro and Hayward. Highlights from the January Calendar: Free Organic Food at Farm Stand Every Monday, 11am to 2pm (or until all…

Starting in April 2018, people with Medicare will start receiving a new Medicare card with a new Medicare number. The new cards will be mailed between April 2018 and April 2019. Why a new number? Medicare is removing Social Security Numbers from your card in order to: Better protect your private medical and financial information…

Afi Tiombe Kambon is a ray of sunshine. She dresses in colorful clothing and has a permanent smile on her face. She makes it a point to encourage fellow participants and is always on the move, refusing to let disabilities hinder her from living a full life. Born in Berkeley, lost a leg at age 11 Afi was born…

Grand Opening of San Leandro PACE Center Clinic Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly Expands in Alameda With the opening of its new, state-of the-art PACE Center in San Leandro, Center for Elders’ Independence will be meeting the need for healthcare and comprehensive day center services for seniors living in central Alameda County. New Geriatric Medical Clinic The new facility, located at 1850…

Know they are healthy & safe with these 10 questions When there are months between family visits, changes in your parents’ health can seem dramatic or alarming. Yet, with the right care and support, many elders can live safely in their homes. While you enjoy your parents’ company during the holidays, take a few moments…

Some of the best bargains and most unusual gifts can be found at your local thrift shop. You can feel good about shopping there because your money supports worthy causes and provides local jobs or job training. And re-using clothes and other items (or donating your own unneeded things) is also good for the environment. Here…

The East Bay Senior Independent is CEI’s monthly calendar of free and low-cost events in Richmond, San Pablo, Berkeley, Albany, San Leandro, Hayward and Castro Valley. Be energized by the holiday spirit in our community by attending one of these events. Meet new friends. Calendario mensual de CEI de eventos gratuitos y de bajo costo…

Until recently, scientists thought that the brain was different from other parts of the body and could not change much after childhood. But it turns out that the brain is more able to adapt and heal than formerly believed. A large, long-term study found that only 25% of brain aging is due to genetics. The other…

CEI’s monthly calendar of free and low-cost events from Richmond to Castro Valley. Get out and have fun. Bring a friend, or meet new friends. Calendario mensual de CEI de eventos gratuitos y de bajo costo para personas mayores en el este de la Bahía de San Francisco. Disponible aquí en español. CEI每月为旧金山东湾的老年人举办免费和低价活动。这里有中文 Highlights from…

Every month, the Center for Elders’ Independence publishes the East Bay Senior Independent in English, Spanish and Chinese. The “Independent” is a single sheet event calendar and tip sheet. Please share it with your neighbors and post it on bulletin boards in your community. On the front, you’ll find a calendar of free and low-cost events from Richmond…

To describe my gratitude for the Center for Elders’ Independence as abundant would be an understatement. The year my mother moved to Oakland was a stressful one. I was working full time and working hard to complete my internship to become a psychotherapist. My mother had some serious health concerns and I’m an only child…

Aging in Community The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau asks us to rethink “aging in place.”  The bureau suggests we consider smaller living spaces with lower maintenance costs. Read this article for some clear thinking about aging in community. They warn seniors about reverse mortgage companies that prey on natural fears of change, and fear of moving…

“Why do I want to tell my story? I want other people to have the courage to go on, like I have since losing my leg,” says Eastmont participant Keet Abernathy. Mr. Abernathy had an above-knee amputation in 2013 and has been working with CEI rehab staff, hoping to walk again. He has a power…

Nature is a great healer, and so is dining with friends. “When people eat alone, they don’t eat as well, or enough,” says Carol Habercross, CEI Nutrition Services manager. And as a lot of research – and anyone who has enjoyed a day at the beach or a walk in the woods – can attest to,…

Based on an interview with Carol Habercross, CEI’s Nutrition Services Manager. Reading time:  3 1/2 minutes Nutrition is ageless. Good nutrition puts gas in your gas tank and keeps you going. At CEI, the registered dietitians do a lot of education. Our nutrition team helps people make the right food choices to reach their health…