Age Friendly Berkshires

A great place to grow up and a great place to grow old!

Hello Friends and Neighbors!

Age Friendly Berkshires' Mission - To create a more livable Berkshire County for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of an aging population.

Age Friendly Berkshires is generously sponsored by:

Save the Date! Video Premiere and Annual Gathering June 24, 2019

Upcoming Events & News

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND

The Age Friendly Berkshires Video Premiere & Annual Gathering 2019!

on

Monday, June 24, 2019, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Koussevitsky Arts Center at Berkshire Community College

Pittsfield, MA

Come together with Age Friendly Berkshires as we Premiere our new Video and Celebrate our progress creating a more livable Berkshire County for all ages!

You'll have a chance to welcome the new Secretary for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Elizabeth Chen, our Keynote speaker. Light refreshments will be served. The Annual Gathering is free and open to the public -- Come together and bring your friends!

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://www.eventbrite.com/edit?eid=63388510742

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Parking is available at various locations on the BCC Campus. Download map here:https://www.berkshirecc.edu/images/campus-map.pdf

How can I contact the organizer with any questions? Age Friendly Berkshires may be reached at 413-442-1521 x16 or Email: AgeFriendlyBerkshires@gmail.com or via website AgeFriendlyBerkshires.com

Berkshire Community College's 50th Anniversary of Nursing Education! Saturday, June 29, 2019, 9:00 - 1:00

All area Nurses and Health Care Professionals (or those considering these professions) are invited to attend a series of free presentations with CEU's!

Topics offered include: Dementia & Alzheimer's; Senior Sexuality, Trauma, Loss & Resiliency in Health Care; Medical Marijuana

CEU Registration fee = $10, Public are invited -- free. Registration required by June 21st: www.berkshirecc.edu/nursingreunion

8 AREAS OF LIVABILITY

This is the "Progress Report" section of our Newsletter, following the 8 Areas of Livability that are the focus of the AFB Action Plan. If you'd like more information, email us atagefriendlyberkshires@gmail.com or message us via our website agefriendlyberkshires.com.

Health & Community Services: The 2019 Berkshire Supergenarian Forum held May 16, 2019, at Berkshire Hills Country Club, attracted more than 200 registrants and showcased fourteen non-profit health and community organizations, providing useful information for Berkshire County’s older adults. The 2019 Berkshire SuperGenarian Forum was underwritten by Greylock Federal Credit Union. JamieEllen Moncecchi, VP, Administration, welcomed guests to the Forum, on behalf of Greylock.

The 2019 Forum saw the return of Mark Pettus MD, Berkshire Health Systems, in a presentation titled “Nutrition, Lifestyle, Mind and Mood: Creating Resilience in Modern Life.” Making her first appearance this year, Mary O’Malley MD PhD, Berkshire Health Systems, offered a multimedia presentation “Managing Your Moods: Caring for Yourself and Others.” Dr. Pettus’s and Dr. O’Malley’s talks were tailored in response to requests from 2018 attendees that this year’s Forum focus on research findings on the connection between nutrition and depression in older adults.

Both presenters offered significant current data, which they made clear and meaningful to attendees wanting to learn more about self-care. The doctors also elicited laughter and surprise from the audience, as when Dr. O’Malley demonstrated sound healing with “singing bowls.” Both presenters fielded questions jointly from the audience. These exchanges reinforced the collegial atmosphere, awareness and curiosity that the BSG Forum fosters.

Between the medical presentations, Michael Summers, an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, offered his experience of working with older clients and even had the audience practicing a balance exercise. The free Forum included refreshments and door prizes.

Watch this space for other BSG projects and news about future forums. Please address questions and comments to Mary Jane and Fran at berksuperg@gmail.com.