Social Distancing Must Continue, Oh My! 

We didn't want to hear it, but requirements for social distancing are continuing  in San Francisco through the end of May. Yet even as restrictions are slowly being lifted, the prospects for older adults remaining apart for months or even years are disturbing. 

An article in last week's SF Chronicle  provides this prospective and offers us all a challenge for how to help seniors, adults with disabilities, and their hands on care providers have a good life in the era of Coronavirus. 

Reweaving community connections, providing internet connectivity and devices for everyone, and fighting bad attitudes being fostered by the epidemic are just a few. Below  we highlight some actions we can take to weather this storm.  
Sadly, Ageism and Ableism Are Alive and Well
The San Francisco Tech Council has highlighted the fact that the Coronavirus has made the Digital Divide wider and deeper for many, especially older adults and adults with disabilities.  And it has highlighted an increasing awareness that current policies and practices treat older adults and those with disabilities as expendable. Please see this thoughtful op-ed piece on the SF Tech Council Website. 
" We live in a country of great wealth and in a time of innovation, knowledge and opportunity.  Our focus and actions should be centered on creating products that are needed to keep us safe and alive, not on who's expendable", 
writes Anne Hinton, one of the authors and co-chair of the SF Tech Council.  
The next SF Tech Council meeting, May 20 at 4:00pm will focus on how health systems are imagining closing the technology gap for older patients through tele-health and other means.   Register here.
Keeping Our Neighbors Active and Engaged 
Stay Connected by Phone and Video 
We want to keep everyone safe without losing the heart and soul of our  focus on reducing isolation and loneliness. Join virtual versions of our programs while we "shelter in place."  See a few highlight below.  

Download a full schedule of activities for the month of May here . Stay active, find your inner artist or writer, enjoy music and art history, get transportation updates, prepare for remote work, find inspiration for healthy cooking, get tech help, and much more! 
Calling All Home Cooks!
Get inspired, keep learning, and share recipes          
Cooking with Chef Lorraine - Mondays, 2:30-3:30
Recipe Swap - Every other Tuesday, 11:00-12:00
Kitchen Wisdom - 2nd & 5th Wednesdays,  2:30-3:30 

Stay Active! 
Weekly exercise classes can help with balance, strength, and more.
Always Active -  Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays, 10:00-11:00 email [email protected] to join
Dance for Strength with Kyra Boprie -  Tuesdays & Thursdays,10:00-11:00
Chair Yoga with Kyra Boprie -  Wednesdays, 11:30-12:30 
Meditation and Movement -  1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 
2:30-3:30 with Brigitte (bilingual in Spanish)
Quigong: Chinese Yoga with David Wei -  2nd & 4th Fridays, 2:30-3:30
Virtual Tech Help - Zoom and More
Not sure how to use Zoom? Need tips on how to use social media? Our tech trainers can help! 
Tuesdays, 2:30-3:30 by phone or video
Fridays, 11:00-1:00 by phone or video
By Appointment - Call 415-821-1003 x108 or email  [email protected]
For help in Chinese, contact [email protected]
For help in Spanish, contact [email protected]
Celebrate Creativity and Spark Your Own
Enjoy audio and video tours and join Ruth's Table to explore your own creativity at home           
California Dreaming (May 11) and Asians Who Rock (May 25) with Richie Unterberger - 2nd and last Mondays, 6:00-7:30
Ruth's Table: Creative Spark - Every other Thursday, 11:00-12:00 
Calling All Writers - Bring your ideas and stories
Join writing groups. Weekly prompts provided. Beginners welcome!  
Writing for Remembering with MG, Mondays, 11:30-12:30 and 
with Marina, Wednesdays, 1:00-2:30
Memoir Writing With Melanie, Fridays, 12:15-1:15
LitQuake Elder Writing Project Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30 
Community Tales: Help! I'm Stuck at Home . 4th Thursday of the month, 2:30-3:30. Share what you've written! Join us for a new theme each month.  
How to Be Connected Including Disability Access 
Join us by phone or video for a variety of  activities this month. Visit our online calendar at www.sfcommunityliving.org/events for  more details on virtual social hours, exercise classes, arts and writing groups, healthy aging  workshops, and more.
To request disability-related accommodations, or to obtain a printed or digital version of activity materials (when relevant), please contact us at 415-821-1003, or email  [email protected]. Please provide at least 72 hours' notice to help us make accommodations to the greatest extent possible. 
Neighbors Sharing Kindness and Cheer 

Seniors and their families in the Community Connector neighborhoods have been finding creative ways to let their shut-in neighbors know we care. This has included "waving walks" where those who need to walk (and can do it safely) have been waving "Hi" to their neighbors, sharing little gifts and posting signs of good wishes.  Others are painting lovely rocks to be left on neighbors doorsteps - thanks Lazzara family for these.  And delivering food, checking in by phone, thanking first responders and sharing fun things to do. These are all ways to maintain Resilient neighborhoods.  

Join this special  panel discussion on Resilient Neighborhoods During this Pandemic on May 7 from 1:00 to 2:00.   We all need some good news right now, and we can find it right here in our own neighborhoods! Come listen to three  inspiring stories of San Francisco resilience, kindness, and joy while we shelter in place. Sherri Sawyer will facilitate a conversation with Margaret Graf, Darlene Ramlose, Deb Glen, and Dante Glen.


Dr. Anna Chodos' Weekly Chats 
Senior Power is hosting a free conference call to hear from Anna Chodos, M.D. Asst. Professor of Medicine, Dept of Geriatrics, UCSF.  Dr. Chodos explains the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic: its history, impact, trends, current status w/questions from audience, time permitting.   Information about how to join the conversation here .

Want to Volunteer But Wonder Where To Start? 
Many organizations with experience supporting volunteers have stepped up to increase their activities. Shanti, in partnership with the Dept. of Disability and Aging Services,  has just opened a new site as a COVID-19 Emergency Response Volunteer Program to help older adults (60+) and those with chronic conditions meet basic needs. Download a flyer here. 

The San Francisco Marin Food Bank has been vastly expanding its capacity to serve people throughout the city who need food - with pop up pantries and more grocery deliveries to vulnerable neighbors. Help keep everyone fed by volunteering to deliver groceries or help in many other ways.

Senior and Disability Action has a BayArea wide effort to coordinate volunteers in support seniors and people with disabilities here.  If you are a senior or person with a disability in need of basic help right now, or an ally willing to offer help, please fill out  this mutual aid form .  If you are in the East Bay, you can also check out www.oaklandatrisk.com.  
 
If you need help and want to be connected with a volunteer, you can also call the Department of Disability and Aging Benefits and Resources Line at 415-355-6700.
Tr ansportation Options (Essentials Only!) 
Even for those sheltering at home, a trip for medical appoints, g roceries or other  essentials services requires transportation. 
Stay up to date on rapidly changing transportation options on  CLC's Transportation in the Time of Covid-19 page.

And join Cathy DeLuca for our monthly Transportation Update on Thursday, May 14 from 2:30 to 3:30 .  Get more information and register for this free and popular session .
Food, Employment and Access to Technology  
SF ReServe is focused on increasing economic security for older adults and people with disabilities. Not only finding a job, but also getting by until things get better. See our recent blog post with information about new CalFresh rules, stimulus payments, help for workers impacted by the Coronavirus, protections from evictions, utility shutoffs and much more. 
Preparing to Go to Work and Covid-19 
Join the SF ReServe Team for this upcoming virtual session.  If you're an adult 60+ or are 18+ living with a disability and looking to find meaningful part time work, keep up the momentum!  Join Jamie Goddard for a discussion on Staying Ready to Work  on Thursday, May 21 from 1:00-2:00 . 

In the meantime,  the ReServe team is using this time to support all ReServists with check in calls and encouragement. Some ReServists whose work cannot be done from home are helping the reach out to others to extend a warm hello and advise them of support services. We want to get to know you, your skills and the type of work you'd like to do. Send in a Job Inquiry here. 
Technology for Sheltering in Place
While staying at home for weeks or months on end is hard for everyone, older adults have some unique challenges. And as the enforced lockdown winds down eventually, those over 70 are likely to be the last to see a return to "normal" life.  The Tech-enhanded Life community have created a place to share their learning bout how they are handling the challenges of "sheltering in place." Learn more about Tech-enhanced Life and the Longevity Explorers here.

Stay  Connected - Let's Count the Ways 
PenPals Keep The  Cards and Letters Coming 
Now  that we have the time, write a note of affection and encouragement to someone you care are about. You don't even need to go to the Post Office for stamps, as Safeway and other markets are  selling them.  Some of you corresponded with the 5th graders from SF Friends School in the past and the efforts continues.  

Want to be a pen pal? Contact [email protected].
SF Interfaith Council Keeps Us All Informed 
The San Francisco Interfaith Council (SFIC)'s regular emails and website are a way to stay connected to our diverse faith communities.  They also are a wonderful up-to-date source of press announcements and leadership statements from the local and state level. If you were on their email list, you would have received current directions from Governor Gavin Newsom and the latest information from Mayor London Breed .  You can sign up for their emails at https://www.sfinterfaithcouncil.org.  
Resources to Bridge the Digital Divide
The San Francisco Tech Council has expanded and updated their  resource information on their website.   Join their next meeting, where the topic will be current challenges of connecting patients with their health care providers.   Sign up here for this great panel discussion.  
No Virus Will Can Stop Us ... 
From Getting Ducks in a Row 
The City can't duck its responsibility to keep the sidewalks safe.  Join our Duck Squad to take pictures of sidewalk hazards and to send to us, or post on our Facebook page.  It would be ducky if you could take a minute to "Like" our Facebook page .  There could be a duck, duck whistle, and safety vest in it for you. Join the next meeting of the SF Sidewalk Search Parth on Tuesday, May 12 from 2:00 to 3:00.  For more info and how to login, email [email protected]. 
Restart the "Keep Us Connected" Campaign 
Several years ago, CLC helped organize a campaign to keep computer labs open and computer tutors working to help close the digital divide. Now those computers centers and libraries are closed and significant numbers of residents lack internet access and equipment at home. 

Yet it is even more important now that those sheltering-in-place for what looks like an extend period of time can stay connected with friends and family, with their health providers through video calls, with engaging and thoughtful commentary. So join us as we re-launch Keep Us Connected. Please "like" this effort on our Facebook page. 
SF Senior Beat: Telling the Stories for our Times
The Senior Beat Reporters are on the job, working hard to bring you the voic es of older adults in San Francisco.  Check out their new feature articles about Coping with Covid19.  Keep current with new stories on their Facebook page. 
And join editor Robin Evans on Thursday, May 27 from 2:30-3:30 for Senior Beat Stories, a monthly time to learn  about stories that are in the works and share your own stories and ideas of life during Covid-19.
AHWGO Radio Hour Thursdays 
This week on At Home, On Air Rachael Friedman of At Home with Growing Older will host  Anne Basting,    Artist and Author, Founder and President of TimeSlips on Thursday, May 7, 6:00 to 7:00pm.
Learn more about this week's program and register here.
Want to Volunteer But Wonder Where To Start? 
Many organizations with experience supporting volunteers have stepped up to increase their activities. Shanti, in partnership with the Dept. of Disability and Aging Services,  has just opened a new site as a COVID-19 Emergency Response Volunteer Program to help older adults (60+) and those with chronic conditions meet basic needs. Download a flyer here. 

The San Francisco Marin Food Bank has been vastly expanding its capacity to serve people throughout the city who need food - with pop up pantries and more grocery deliveries to vulnerable neighbors. Help keep everyone fed by volunteering to deliver groceries or help in many other ways.

Senior and Disability Action has a BayArea wide effort to coordinate volunteers in support seniors and people with disabilities here.  If you are a senior or person with a disability in need of basic help right now, or an ally willing to offer help, please fill out  this mutual aid form .  If you are in the East Bay, you can also check out www.oaklandatrisk.com.  
 
If you need help and want to be connected with a volunteer, you can also call the Department of Disability and Aging Benefits and Resources Line at 415-355-6700.
Bookmark This Site
Below we share more resources for those staying home as well as an update on CLC activities over the next few weeks. Bookmark our website now   www.sfcommunityliving.org
as are updating it daily with online activities and important resources.