ExcerptSuccessfulfrom Aging:

A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives

by Daniel J. Levitin

“Don’t retire. Don’t stop being engaged with meaningful work. Look forward. Don’t look back. (Reminiscing doesn’t promote health.) Exercise. Get your heart rate going, preferably in nature. Embrace a moderated lifestyle with healthy practices. Keep your social circle exciting and new. Spend time with people younger than you. See your doctor regularly, but not obsessively. Don’t consider yourself old (other than taking prudent precautions). Appreciate your cognitive strengths— pattern recognition, crystallized intelligence, wisdom, and accumulated knowledge. Promote cognitive health through experiential learning: traveling, spending time with grandchildren, and immersing yourself in new activities and situations. Do new things.” often overlooked as a part of healthy aging. “We need to feel needed and that we belong,” Simona explained. “Your brain is okay, your body is fine, but we need a meaningful purpose that gets us out of bed in the morning.”

Volunteering and getting involved in the community is a simple approach to social engagement that positively impacts longevity. In addition, having a social network can protect against feelings of loneliness and social isolation, two conditions often seen in older age.

San Diego Oasis offers a unique opportunity for its members to connect and engage with the community through its many intergenerational programs. For example, through the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring program, volunteers, nearby elementary schools, and San Diego Oasis work together to help children build reading skills, self-esteem, and positive attitudes toward learning.

“Who is the winner in that intergenerational scenario?” Simona asked. “Everyone! Everyone comes out a winner. Intergenerational experiences are not a one-way street. It’s benefiting both generations by connecting them on meaningful work.”

Growing With Its Members

As the leader in healthy longevity for over 35 years, San Diego Oasis has proven valuable in its La Mesa and Escondido communities. To better serve the rapidly growing senior population, the organization is excited to expand with its Rancho Bernardo location opening in June.

The two-story, 20,000-square-foot facility boasts to be the largest, most comprehensive center of excellence for older adults and intergenerational programs with many opportunities its current members have grown to love.

The Rancho Bernardo location will also integrate new and cutting-edge offerings for members. A demonstration kitchen for hands-on experience in cooking creations, a 400-person lecture hall for speakers and events, a peaceful Zen-like outdoor patio, an extralarge game room, and a state-of-the-art innovation center to expand on technology education will all be offered.

Looking Ahead

Simona likened Oasis’ growth to that of the YMCA. “We didn’t have a YMCA in every community serving young families and children, but we decided it’s important, and now we do.” She hopes Oasis will continue to serve our country’s growing aging population similarly.

“The data is so clear,” Simona said. “We’re tripling the demographic of our senior population. We’re all going to be older adults one day. We all need to be working together and sharing knowledge if we are going to serve older adults in the way that they need to be served. If we don’t set up the landscape to be a friendly one, then it’s not going to be there.”

“If I ruled the world, I’d instruct every doctor to prescribe Oasis,” Simona laughed. “If you have a patient who is not thriving or not stimulated enough, tell them they need to go to Oasis,” she chuckled. “I don’t care what you do there; you just need to do something.” SLM

Learn more:

Experience the pillars of successful aging at one of San Diego Oasis’ three facilities: La Mesa, Escondido, and Rancho Bernardo. Learn more at SanDiegoOasis.org your community your home simply local magazine