Active Aging Lecture Series in Sonoma Valley this September

August 3, 2022

Dynamic Health Experts Show How to Live Your Best Life Now

Sonoma Valley Hospital and Vintage House announce a lively and informative community lecture series for September called “Active Aging: Live Your Best Life Now.” The four talks given by health experts provide insights on transforming aging including the importance of active aging and the latest developments on memory and aging from cutting-edge research.

The talks are open to the community without charge and will be held in-person in Stone Hall at Vintage House and live-streamed from 1:00 to 2:30 pm on four successive Wednesdays, September 7, 14, 21, and 28. Light refreshments will be provided. Vintage House is located at 264 1^st Street East in Sonoma Valley.

Register online at vintagehouse.org/classes or by calling 707.996.0311 for assistance.  Early RSVP is encouraged for all talks as in-person seating is limited. In-person attendees are required to wear a surgical, K95 or KN95 mask when entering Stone Hall.

Speakers and topics include:

Master of Ceremony:  Dawn Kuwahara, RN, Chief Ancillary Officer for Sonoma Valley Hospital will welcome guests and introduce each speaker. Dawn is a native to Sonoma Valley and her executive leadership and nursing career spans more than 25 years serving our community.  

September 7: “Emerging from Covid”

Mary L. Flett, PhD is a clinical psychologist and advocate for ending ageism. She has over two decades of clinical experience providing aging adults with strategies to age better and age well. She is the author of the recently published three-book series, “Aging with Finesse,” and the founder of Five Pillars of Aging. Dr. Mary will share her own COVID story and offer observations and insights into how the pandemic has impacted health care for older Americans, as well as sharing strategies for aging better and aging well in a post-pandemic world.

September 14: “Eating Well for Your Mind and Body”

Allison McKeany, MS, RD, is a Registered Dietitian and author of the newsletter “Put Your Food to Work,” who has specialized in both clinical and outpatient nutrition with a recent focus on nutrition as it relates to cognitive health. Allison will address common questions about eating for a healthy lifestyle. The presentation will include actionable steps to improving your diet for the health of both your mind and your body. 

September 21: “Beyond Exercise: Joy from Walking”

Marek Grzybowski, MS, PT, is the lead physical therapist for SVH’s Rehabilitation Clinic. Marek will highlight the benefits gained from daily movement and exercise. His conversation will spotlight evidence-based strategies using stories and humor to emphasize the importance of keeping your body moving successfully throughout your life.

September 28: “How Understanding the Basic Science of Alzheimer’s Disease Might Help Us Avoid It”

Aimee Kao, MD, PhD, and the John Douglas French Foundation Endowed Professor, Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Kao’s clinical expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Dr. Aimee will be covering the latest advances in our understanding of why the brain becomes susceptible to Alzheimer’s Disease and how these discoveries can help us modify our lifestyles to decrease risk of disease.

Additional information is available from Sonoma Valley Hospital’s Community Outreach Team at 707.935.5257 or sending an email to community@sonomavalleyhospital.org