This document provides information about several people involved with AgeSong communities. It introduces Constance Hunt and Daniel Cunningham, both of whom work in enrichment roles. It also features an interview with Diana Lopez, a care partner at Lakeside Park, who discusses her work providing care and dignity to residents. Finally, it announces that AgeSong Today and We Are AgeSong publications will soon be combined into one online journal.

1. continued from page 1 CONSTANCE HUNT, DANIEL CUNNINGHAM, tele include both seniors and young
adults living with medical, neurologi-
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN AGESONG
that it is never too late to develop MULTI-TALENTED VALUED AGESONG PRO- TODAY AND WE ARE AGESONG BECOME ONE
an avocation. I listened to his story cal and psychiatric disabilities. As an
ACTIVITY DIRECTOR FESSIONAL AFFILIATE
as he showed me his creative sculp- avocation, Danny now dances and
tures. He was originally an engineer, sings with other professionals. He is
Constance Hunt is one of two Com- Daniel (Danny) Cunningham is one currently perfoming in the musical
but he started creating sculpture munity Enrichment Coordinators at of many valued professional affili-
when he was in his 70s. He’s now Hairspray.
AgeSong in San Francisco. ates of AgeSong’s elder communi-
in his mid 90s. He also exercises ties. He is a California Licensed
every day. I admire his joy of life, Originally from Fargo, North For people who are interested in
Fiduciary, who runs a professional exploring the fiduciary world, view:
imagination, and creativity, shown Dakota, she moved to California and
care management company. PFAC, http://www.pfac-pro.org,
by his beautiful moving sculptures, enrolled in Notre Dame de Namur,
which are on display in the AgeSong where she received her Master’s De- and Fiduciaries Bureau, http://
Danny was a dancer, singer, and ac- www.fiduciary.ca.gov/ . For more
at Bayside Park lobby and on the gree in Marriage Family Therapy and
tor when he was in his 20s and 30s. information, read the article in
2nd floor patio. Sam is a doer, as Art Therapy. She is currently a MFT
When his sister developed cancer AgeSong Today and listen to in-
well as a creative thinker. He set Intern and Registered Art Therapist.
and died, he transitioned to working terview with Danny Cunningham,
up a workroom in a studio near
as a volunteer and later as a volun- http://agesongtoday.com/1466/
his apartment at AgeSong, Bayside Constance is also an exhibiting art-
teer coordinator with Hospics Ser- daniel-danny-cunningham-an- Soon AgeSong Today online journal and We Are AgeSong quarterly newslet-
Park. The studio is filled with work ist, working in tapestry, printmaking
vices. Then he became director of agesong-professional-affiliate/ .3 ter will be combined into one online journal. Please register (for free) at
in process. Sam always has a twinkle and liturgical art. She has exhibited
client services for home health and http://agesongtoday.com to receive weekly digests.
in his eyes and is very friendly. locally, nationally and internationally
transitioned to director of opera-
and her work is featured in several HAVE YOU NOTICED OUR
tions for a managed care organiza-
I’ve heard that what you see in oth- books. She is now weaving a tap- NEW VOLUNTEERS? Mural Project? Have you said “hel- environment that fosters loving and
tion. Just before working as a fidu-
ers you have in yourself, though it estry for an Invitational Show in lo” to Evelina as she pampers our creative exchanges between these
ciary, he became executive director
may need to be developed. I look the Midwest, as well as preparing a residents during spa time? Have generous volunteers and our very
for AgeSong at Laguna Park.
forward 30 plus years from now to lecture to be given in June at the San you heard Ja’nice pounding away in special elders. We look forward to
being creative and physically active Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. the Drum Circle? Perhaps you have meeting many new volunteers. If
Most recently, he co-founded Pro-
like Sam...with a twinkle in my eyes. She believes in the healing power of been served by a new volunteer as- you know of anybody who might be
Care Professional Care Manage-
art and art-making and appreciates sisting with our Tea Party? interested in this unique experience
ment, Inc. with Rafael Herrera. The
What have you learned from an the opportunity to work in a com- that AgeSong offers, our volun-
company serves the Bay area and
elder by listening? Sally Gelardin, munity which supports that belief Our volunteers, varying in age teer coordinator can be reached at
provides fiduciary and case manage-
Editor 3 and celebrates that vision. 3 from 14 to 74, have an amazing Volunteer@agesong.com or (510)
ment services. The company’s clien-
Over the past couple of months, diversity of education, experience, 318-7739, ext. 360. 3
over 20 new volunteers have signed and culture. What they all share in
up for AgeSong’s Volunteer Training common is a desire to give back to
program. You will hopefully meet their community. Volunteers offer
We Are AgeSong
these volunteers as they kindly offer our residents encouragement and
support while receiving a unique Co-Editors
their time and energy assisting our
residents and staff with activities at opportunity to learn from the almost Nader Shabahangi, Ph.D.
our Bayside Park & Lakeside Park infinite and diverse experiences of
Above “Earth: From the Sketchbook Series” communities. Have you met Kevin the elders residing within our com- Sally Gelardin, Ed.D.
4’ x 8’ by Constance Hunt working with our residents on their munities. AgeSong offers the rich Contact SallyG@AgeSong.com
Left: Sculpture by Sam S.
2 3

2. We Are
We Are
of education, hard work, and dedication. Not only did
they instill these values in me, but always told me that
nothing that is unattainable; if you really want it, you can
Featured Care Partner: make it happen.
Diana Lopez Spring/Summer 2012 Celebrating Life at Any Age
During my senior year in high school, I set my sights on
I put myself in their shoes and give them dignity. I go out of my way to
becoming a Registered Nurse. It became my goal. I was
help them and I’m lucky to know them. I am amazed to hear all their
always asked why nursing? I could never fully explain
stories. FEATURED COMMUNITY: LAKESIDE PARK
it because it was more of a feeling. Frankly, I could APPLYING AGESONG’S
never see myself doing anything else or even considered VISION AgeSong at Lakeside Park celebrates its 10th Anniversary this month with
A care partner at AgeSong, Lake-
another career. Once accepted into the RN program at music, a video documentary, and refreshments. In honor of the occasion,
side Park, Diana Lopez provides
City College of San Francisco, classes began. I loved In the Winter/Spring issue of We each guest will receive
a full range of helping services to
it. It only solidified my feelings that this is what I was Are AgeSong, 11 vision statements a special gift: Elders
residents. “I wake them up, help
meant to do. were listed. Vision Statement #5 Today: Opportunities of
them get into the diningroom, Please join us
bathe, feed, and dress them,” she is outlined below. What does this a Lifetime, by Nader AgeSong at Lakeside Park
I have learned so much working here at Agesong and Vision Statement mean to you? Shabahangi, AgeSong
Decade of Devotion
says, “If I notice anything differ- 10th Anniversary
being the RN for Laguna Grove Care and Hayes Valley CEO.
ent in their behavior from usual,
Care in San Fran- Vision Statement #5: Curiosity and ac-
I report it. I give them dignity Lakeside Park always
cisco. There is ceptance are foundational attitudes in the
by not going in the bathroom with them. I ask first for has a full activ-
always something approach to everything we encounter in our
permission.” ity calendar of trips
new to learn and I work at our eldercare communities, both in
am always accruing and events. Here with video, hors d’oeuvres & a variety of beverages
Diana bases her skills with elders on her closeness with the way we are with elders and with each
knowledge as I are a few recent and
her grandmother, who lived with her immediate fam- other.
strive to do the best upcoming excursions
ily for five years, and was aflicted with diabetes and on and events:
possible work I can We have two ears and one mouth so
dialasis. Diana went to school in the Alameda. She • Dogs Need So-
for the residents and we can listen twice as much as we
knew she wanted to work with elders and applied for a cialization, Just as
families. Working speak. Think of one elder you care
job upon the encouragement of a friend who worked Humans Do
with elders and attentive care partners, there are always for. What have you learned about
at Lakeside. She is currently training to be a Certified • A Visit to General
sweet and touching moments every day I come into that person by listening? How has Lafayette
Nursing Assistant and aspires in the future to become a
work. I have grown professionally and personally here at that made you more accepting? • AgeSong at Lake-
Licensed Vocational Nurse. 3
AgeSong. I am older now and have set a few more goals. side Park Addresses
One is to become a board certified RN in Gerontology I’ll start off. I learn something from Forgetfulness
NOTHING IS UNATTAINABLE and the second to go back to school and eventually Issues
every elder whom I encounter. Thursday, April 26, 4:30 to 6:30 pm
become a Nurse Practitioner with a focus on Adult From Tom I learn patience; from • A Decade of Devo-
468 Perkins Street, Oakland, California
I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. I Medicine and Gerontology. I hope to become estab- tion
was raised by my mother with my older brother in the Jean I learn to be straightforward; RSVP Anne Sanabria
lished enough one day to give back to my family, com- • Parents Getting
Richmond District and spent Sundays with my father in munity, and be a good role model for my younger sisters. from Fred I learn to listen. But the Older? What’s 510.444.4684 (Ext 111), annes@agesong.com
the Mission District. Later on, during my weekends with question is to identify one elder who Your Game Plan?
INSIDE:
you learn from by listening. Constance Hunt/Danny Cunningham Page 2
my father, I was joined by my step sister and eventu- “Nothing is unattainable” - those words still stick with
MORE...http://agesongtoday.com/ Have You Noticed Our Volunteers? Page 3
ally my little sister. My parents came to California from me today. I choose Sam. From Sam I learn category/agesong-communities/ AgeSong Today & We Are AgeSong Page 4
other countries; my mother is from Peru and my father
lakeside-park/ 3 Diana Lopez:/Elizabeth .Vizcarra Page 4
is from Mexico. They always stressed the importance Elizabeth Vizcarra 3 continued page 2
4 1