The talks are open to the community without charge and will be held in Stone Hall at Vintage House, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm on Thursdays during May, including May 7, 14, 21, and 28. Light refreshments will be provided. Vintage House is located at 263 1^st Street East. Please RSVP to Vintage House at 707-996-0311, or info@vintagehouse.org; or to Celia Kruse de la Rosa, SVH, at 707.935.5257, or ckrusedelarosa@sonomavalleyhospital.org. Topics and speakers include:

May 7: “Optimizing Aging.” Using stories, science and humor, Louise Aronson, MD, a geriatrician and Professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), will discuss what’s normal and what isn’t as we age. She will include strategies for staying independent and healthy, including how to move from “What’s the matter with you?” to “What matters to you?” Dr. Aronson is Director of the University’s Northern California Geriatric Education Center and is a widely published author.

May 14: “Intuitive Eating.” SVH Dietitian Allison Evanson, MS, RD, will discuss the foundations of healthy eating, setting up your environment up for success, and building a positive relationship with food, with an emphasis on our changing nutritional needs as we age. By the end of the class you will better understand how to incorporate healthy meals and snacks into your day, and leave with ideas for small and realistic changes that can improve your health now. 

May 21: “Active Movement.” “If You Don’t Move, You Rust,” is the theme of the talk by Marek Grzybowski, MS, PT, who will discuss the importance of being active as we age. Marek is the Lead Inpatient Physical Therapist for Sonoma Valley Hospital with a Masters in Physical Rehabilitation. He regularly works with Sonoma Valley seniors to help them with balance issues and to become more active.

May 28: “Becoming Mindful.” “Aging is a fact…Stress is a perception. Which can I change?” is the question Patricia Brooks, LCSW, PhD., will address in her talk. Patricia is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California and holds a PhD in Healing Psychology and Integrative Medicine. She has worked in the Health Care field for over 40 years, specializing in the Mind/Body connection.