We all have stories to tell, just by virtue of just being alive.  Every day we have experiences, both large and small, that make us who we are.  They test our resolve, they make us see differently, they renew our hope, they make us believe in ourselves and others.  These experiences, when accumulated over a lifetime, combine to make each of us into unique individuals with a wealth of valuable lessons and experiences to relay to others.  Our professionals can help you record your unique life story, on paper and on video.  Computer typing experience is not necessary.

Written Legacies

• Getting Started With Legacy Writing – We teach you how to get started compiling your memoir, ethical will or family tree on your own.  You will learn how to gather information, conduct research, organize your information and get it down on paper.  You will also learn various publishing/ presentation options.  Documenting family photos and possessions will also be discussed.  (1 hour class)
• Personal Legacy Writing – We help you gather your thoughts, organize your approach, and write.  We coach you along the way, and help you organize your chapters and edit your content.  We can also help with typing if you need it.  When you are finished we help you publish your story for you to give as a valuable keepsake gift to family and friends.  There are four main types of written personal legacies:

1. Autobiographies – Chronological stories of our entire lives, beginning with our earliest memory and continuing to the present
2. Family Histories – Autobiographies of our family members (including our autobiography)
3. Memoirs – Snapshots of important life experiences we have had, such as places we have traveled or people who have impacted our lives
4. Ethical Wills – Descriptions of the lessons, values, beliefs, hopes, and dreams that we have accumulated and developed throughout our lifetime

• Researching Your Family Tree – Learn how to research and document the various branches of your family tree.  We explain the different agencies and websites available for research, and how to organize the information you uncover.  We also show  you how to incorporate stories, photos, and documents to help tell the story.  And we provide options for publishing your family tree once you are finished with your research.
• Photo/Possession Documentation – We help you organize your photographs into albums and document the names, dates, and places for each one so that your family knows who everyone is and where the pictures were taken.  We can do the same with your important possessions, documenting the stories about where they came from, and why they are an important part of your life.  This information is a very valuable gift to hand down to your family.

---

View other Classes

• Architecture
• Cooking
• Drama
• Fiber Arts
• Fine Arts
• Gardening
• Holiday Activities
• Interior Decorating
• Laughter Yoga
• Life Stories
• Massage Therapy
• Music
• Pet Connections
• Positive Living
• Reiki
• Writing
• Yoga and Posture

Visit our Services for Caregivers page

 

  Laughter Yoga is a fun, “feel-good” activity with lots of health benefits. It combines laughing exercises, deep breathing and playful activities. These activities bring more oxygen to the body and the brain which reduces stress and makes one feel more energetic and healthy.

Laughter yoga has been shown to boost the immune system, promote relaxation, lift mild depression, improve social interaction and connections, exercise the abdomen, help to control blood pressure increase lung capacity, detox the body, and improve circulation and digestion. But most importantly it’s fun and feels good!

Laughter Yoga classes are one hour long for active seniors, and 45 minutes for those with more limited abilities. Laughter Yoga does not require any special skills, equipment or clothing; and can be done either seated or standing. * This is a participatory class and would not be suitable for people who cannot move their limbs, or those with moderate to severe dementia.

Watch the videos: The Benefits of Laughter Yoga

 

 

 

---

View other Classes

• Architecture
• Cooking
• Drama
• Fiber Arts
• Fine Arts
• Gardening
• Holiday Activities
• Interior Decorating
• Laughter Yoga
• Life Stories
• Massage Therapy
• Music
• Pet Connections
• Positive Living
• Reiki
• Writing
• Yoga and Posture

Visit our Services for Caregivers page

 

  
The world around us is filled with interesting people, places and things.  Likewise, each of us has interesting experiences and knowledge that can be shared.  Journalistic Writing allows us to capture this information and share it with others in informative, inspiring ways.  Journalists help to inform, provide solutions, and inspire their readers in countless ways.  Computer experience is not necessary to take this class.

• New!!! Poetry Writing – Small groups will work together to create a beautiful poem of their own. Choose from either Haiku, Cinquain, Diamante or “I Am” poetry styles. Even if the participants don’t have experience with writing poetry, they will be able to help write this one! (1 hour class. Staff assistance is needed for groups larger than 4 people. The staff does not need to have poetry writing experience)
• New!!! Cooperative Writing – Your group will work together to create a writing piece that expresses their opinion about a certain subject. Subjects can include things like “How to Raise a Good Child”, “What I Learned From My Mother”, or “Secrets to a Happy Life.” Each participant will be interviewed and recorded, and the interviews will then be typed. The finished piece can be presented as a Word document, or as a mini-book with a cover. (Hours vary depending on number of participants. Please contact us for an estimate)
• Journalistic Writing – We teach you how to decide on subjects of interest, identify information sources, compile interview questions, conduct an interview and take notes, verify your information, and write a journalistic article.  You will learn about research articles and interview articles, how to write and edit, and proper grammar and structure.  You can then submit your articles to newspapers and magazines for publication.  (1 hour class)

---

View other Classes

• Architecture
• Cooking
• Drama
• Fiber Arts
• Fine Arts
• Gardening
• Holiday Activities
• Interior Decorating
• Laughter Yoga
• Life Stories
• Massage Therapy
• Music
• Pet Connections
• Positive Living
• Reiki
• Writing
• Yoga and Posture

Visit our Services for Caregivers page

 

 
Second only to the clothing we choose, the way we decorate our living spaces expresses our personality – who we are and what we like.  Our living spaces also act as showcases for the things that are important to us, the people we love, the places we have traveled, and the treasures we have collected.  Our personalities speak through color, texture, pattern, shape, and style.  Just as no two people are the same, no two personal spaces are the same.  “Personal space” can take on many different forms throughout a lifetime – our childhood bedroom, our college dorm room, our first apartment, our newlywed home, the house where we raised our children, our vacation home, our retirement home.  Just as these eras in our lives are greatly different, so too is who we are at the time.  Our spaces can, and should, change as we change.  They should continue to be a reflection of who we are, and give us a comfortable place to be ourselves.

• Holiday Activity! Holiday Decorating Help – We will help unpack your decorations and put them up for you, creating beautiful artistic arrangements and displays for you and your guests to enjoy.  When the holidays are over, we will help organize and pack them away for next year!
• New!!! A Designer’s Life – Learn what is involved in becoming an Interior Designer, what a designer does every day in their job, and all of the things a designer has to know about in order to create beautiful, comfortable interiors. We will also have fun with a hands-on design project. (1 hour class plus materials)
• Interior Spruce-Up – Whether you just need to rearrange one room, or whether you need a whole-house makeover, we can work with you to design whatever improvements you need.  We can help you with paint colors, wallpaper, draperies, bedspreads, pillows, rugs, furniture, lighting, mirrors, artwork, photos, and accessories.  We can also help you reorganize the things you already have to create pleasing arrangements, and suggest low-cost project ideas.  And we can help with de-cluttering and organizing too, so that your house stays looking beautiful!
• Feng Shui Makeover – Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of decorating that uses placement, color, and materials to achieve balance and harmony.  We will analyze each room of your home according to Feng Shui principles and suggest how to rearrange furniture and accessories to enhance positive energy flow through your house, which will in turn create more positive energy and comfort for you.
• Relocation Help – Whether you are downsizing due to a recent empty nest, or relocating to a retirement community or group home, we work with you to plan the layout of your new space.  We draw the blueprints of your new home and help you decide what to take with you and how to arrange it.  We can also help you rearrange and decorate your existing house to give it a better chance of selling.  And we can meet the truck on moving day to direct the unloading effort and make sure everything goes where it’s supposed to.  Once you are moved in, we can help you with all of the things listed above under “Interior Spruce-Up”.
• Interior Decorating Class – Learn decorator “tricks of the trade” that you can apply to your own home, no matter how big or small it may be!  We will discuss decorating guidelines and tips, how to use color and pattern, low-cost decorating,  re-arranging what you already have, do-it-yourself projects, organization and clutter management, and decorator’s secrets and discounts.  (2 weeks, 90 minutes per week – 3 hours total)
• Quick Tips For Interior Decorating – A shorter, condensed version of the above class, and without organization and clutter management tips. (1 hour) This can also be done as a 15 minute slideshow with a 45 minute interior decorating collage project.
• “Balance and Harmony Through Feng Shui” Class – Learn how to createbalance and harmony in your home, apartment or office using this ancient decorating technique.  The placement of furniture and accessories can enhance the positive energy in each room, making your whole space just “feel” better.  We will learn how color, shape, and material has an effect on positive energy.  And we will also discuss the difference between “yin” and “yang” features, and how to balance them to create a pleasing harmony.  (2 weeks, 90 minutes per week – 3 hours total)
• Introduction to Feng Shui – A shorter, condensed version of the above class, consisting of an overview of Feng Shui principles.  (1 hour)

---

View other Classes

• Architecture
• Cooking
• Drama
• Fiber Arts
• Fine Arts
• Gardening
• Holiday Activities
• Interior Decorating
• Laughter Yoga
• Life Stories
• Massage Therapy
• Music
• Pet Connections
• Positive Living
• Reiki
• Writing
• Yoga and Posture

Visit our Services for Caregivers page 

   

There is nothing that takes away worries like burying your nose in a bouquet of flowers.  As we breathe in the aroma, it awakens our deep and primal connection with the earth.  It comforts us, and brings us into the present moment.  The bouquet represents the fruits of our labor that begins with an idea, and unfolds over weeks of preparation, planting, and waiting.  The mere act of digging in the dirt and making a physical connection with the earth also makes gardening one of the most basic and primitive of all activities. Unlike other art forms, garden design does not supply immediate results.  It is therefore a wonderful lesson in patience and surprise. Gardens are also living masterpieces, changing over time, and continually engaging our interest and creativity as a constant work-in-progress. And the fact that gardens depend on our attention and care to live well and thrive, gives us a feeling of importance, and gives us wonderful surprises to look forward to.

• New!!! Birdhouse Design – A slideshow presentation of beautiful, creative, and whimsical birdhouse designs. Learn how bird houses are designed, and what different birds look for when choosing a home. This slideshow is sure to get your creative mind going! (One hour slideshow)
• Container Gardening Class – Learn how to create beautiful, versatile container gardens either indoors or out.  Learn about growing container plants, flowers, herbs and vegetables, preparation and placement of containers, soil, watering, sunlight, fertilizing, and starting from seed.  We will also teach you the principles of aesthetically-pleasing container garden design. (1 hour class) Optional hands-on gardening activity (materials fee)
• Garden Structures –  A slideshow presentation featuring the design and construction of garden gazebos, pergolas, trellises, arbors, fences, storage sheds, benches and birdhouses. Beautiful and fanciful designs, sure to get your imagination going! (1 hour class) Optional hands-on activity, building a miniature pergola model (materials fee)
• Garden Design – We work with you to design and plant gardens, either indoors or out.  Depending on your needs, the garden might be indoor container plants, outdoor container gardens, small garden plots, or larger gardens that can also include pathways, benches, gazebos, sheds, decks, trellises, fountains, sculpture, and birdbaths.  The gardens can consist of plants, trees,  flowers, herbs, and vegetables.  We can also assist with weeding and tending services. (Hours vary, materials fee)

---

View other Classes

• Architecture
• Cooking
• Drama
• Fiber Arts
• Fine Arts
• Gardening
• Holiday Activities
• Interior Decorating
• Laughter Yoga
• Life Stories
• Massage Therapy
• Music
• Pet Connections
• Positive Living
• Reiki
• Writing
• Yoga and Posture

Visit our Services for Caregivers page