Institute on Aging

09/21/2026

To all those observing Yom Kippur, we wish you a meaningful day of reflection, renewal, and peace.

Institute on Aging is honored to serve a diverse and vibrant community, and we hold space for the traditions and observances that give our community members meaning and connection.

G'mar Chatimah Tovah.

09/18/2026

💙 September is National PACE Month, and we are proud to celebrate the PACE model and the profound difference it makes for older adults with complex needs.

PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, brings together medical, social, and supportive services under one coordinated approach, helping older adults remain in their communities with the dignity and care they deserve.

Institute on Aging is honored to support PACE partnerships that serve our community.

📞 Have questions? Contact IOA Connect at 415.750.4111

Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04xMnD_0

09/16/2026

For people living with dementia, finding a place where they feel known, welcomed, and engaged can be transformative.

Compania's Enrichment Center is exactly that kind of place. Located in the Presidio of San Francisco, it offers Monday through Friday programming designed around the strengths and interests of each person, creating genuine friendships, purposeful days, and a true sense of belonging.

And for the families who care for them, it offers something equally important: a community of people who understand what they're going through.

Learn more about the Enrichment Center: https://hubs.ly/Q04xmZzr0

09/15/2026

Meet Clara Allen, Senior Enrichment Center Manager at Compania.

Clara brings a rare and powerful combination of credentials and heart to her role. She holds a Master's in Gerontology from San Francisco State University, is a licensed nursing home and RCFE administrator, and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with a bachelor's in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Toledo.

That recreational therapy background isn't just a credential. It's the lens through which Clara approaches every program, every activity, and every interaction at the Enrichment Center. For Clara, meaningful engagement isn't an add-on to care. It's the heart of it.

We're grateful to have her leading the Enrichment Center community every day.

Learn more about Compania's Enrichment Center: https://hubs.ly/Q04xmx880

09/14/2026

There's something special about an evening filled with good music, familiar faces, and a little dancing. 💙

Recently, Compania hosted a Family Night at IOA's Enrichment Center, bringing together members and their families for a night of connection, live jazz, and joy. Moments like these remind us why community matters so much, especially for families navigating the dementia caregiving journey together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We loved celebrating with you.

09/11/2026

Caring for someone living with dementia or memory loss can bring a unique kind of grief. Grieving the changes in someone you love while they're still here is real, and it deserves real support.

Institute on Aging's Compania program is offering a six-week grief support group designed specifically for dementia caregivers. Over six weekly sessions, you'll have space to process your feelings, connect with others who truly understand, and build tools for navigating this journey.

The group is facilitated by Dr. Brittany Woo, a licensed clinical psychologist and Senior Interdisciplinary Program Manager at Compania, who brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to supporting caregivers through grief and life transitions.

Six weekly sessions | Thursdays, 10:30 AM – 12 PM
October 1, 8, 15, 29 | November 5, 12
Cost: $550

For location and registration details, contact Dr. Brittany Woo at [email protected].

You don't have to carry this alone.

Enhancing the quality of life for older adults and adults with disabilities.

09/09/2026

September is National Su***de Prevention Month, and at Institute on Aging, we want to take a moment to acknowledge something important.

Older adults are among the most at-risk populations for su***de, and yet they are among the least likely to seek help. Feelings of isolation, loss, and hopelessness are real, and they deserve compassionate, non-judgmental support.

Institute on Aging's Friendship Line is a free, 24/7 call line offering emotional support and crisis intervention for older adults and adults with disabilities. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out.

📞 888.670.1360

You are not alone.

***dePreventionMonth

09/08/2026

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, we're thinking about a group of workers who often go unrecognized: the family caregivers who show up every single day, without a paycheck, without benefits, and without a day off.

Their work is real. Their dedication is profound. And their wellbeing matters deeply to us.

Wishing a restful and meaningful Labor Day to every caregiver and older adult in our community.

From the Institute on Aging team.

09/04/2026

Sleep shouldn't feel like a struggle. But if bedtime has become one of the hardest parts of your loved one’s day, this one's for you. 💙

For someone living with dementia, the internal clock can shift, and the many small steps that make up a bedtime routine may no longer come naturally. Sometimes they simply need to be guided through it.

IOA's Alex Kaplan, Lead Caregiver Coach, shares a few things that can help:

• 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Play calming music they enjoy. Try a lavender spray on the pillow if they enjoy scents.
• 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲. Help them with pajamas, washing their face, brushing their teeth, and getting into bed, step by step.
• 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿. If sleep is consistently difficult, a provider may be able to offer additional support.

The goal is to make bedtime feel calm, familiar, and safe.