Senior Lifestyles

Courtesy of Steve Gill

Steve Gill, right, is joined by friends and fellow music makers Elizabeth Bishop and Bob Feiner on the front porch of Gill’s Los Altos home.

If you’ve heard what sounds like an Irish tenor belting out “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” on a porch on Orange Avenue, or even on Main Street, you’ve heard Steve Gill.

An actor, director, singer and theater arts teacher, the longtime Los Altos resident has long known the power of song and the joy it can bring.

Gill has performed with TheatreWorks, American Musical Theatre, San Jose Stage Company, West Bay Opera Company and Foothill Music Theatre, as well as putting on his own shows with a variety of accompanists. After retiring from teaching at Menlo School, he estimates doing 300 shows at retirement homes, senior centers and private parties, as well as an annual show at Foothills Congregational Church for the past five years.

Madeleine Fackler/Special to the Town Crier

Los Altos resident Virginia “Ginny” Morgan, 100, celebrates with her two grandchildren, Katie Cattani and Matthew Fackler.

Virginia “Ginny” Morgan, a member of the Parc Regent retirement community in Los Altos, celebrated a major milestone June 27: her 100th birthday. Morgan attended a birthday party luncheon at her daughter Madeleine Fackler’s home and was surprised by a singing telegram.

Morgan said her most treasured possessions are the love letters and poems from her husband of 57 years. She enjoyed two careers, her first as a medical librarian and then as a financial planner.

If you’re feeling anxious and stressed over the recent adversity and hard times, I feel you. Thousands of Americans are in the same boat. You are not alone.
Whatever you’re worried about, if ignored, stress can affect your mental and physical health. Stress can be a physical reaction to feeling confused and frustrated by a situation. It will impact your sleep, eating patterns and emotional health.

Over the years, I’ve discovered a few ways to help myself through troubling times, and I’m sharing them in hopes you can find peace and relaxation to ease your mind and emotions.

Even during this time of social distancing, the Los Altos Senior Program is going strong, albeit currently mostly by internet and telephone.
Cheri Anderson, recreation coordinator for the Los Altos Senior Program, said the program’s Sunshine Calls, wherein a staff member checks in with local seniors to see how they’re doing and have a friendly chat, have been a big success.

Villa Siena photos courtesy of Monique Flores; BridgePoint photos courtesy of BridgePoint at Los Altos; Terraces photos courtesy of The Terraces at Los Altos
Sheltering but not alone are, above from left, Villa Siena residents Beverly Crudo and Margaret (Peg) Carroll, and BridgePoint at Los Altos resident Len Cook. Making the best of a bad situation are, below from left, The Terraces at Los Altos residents Lee Smith and Gary Lipe, and BridgePoint at Los Altos resident Pat Bennett.

A sense of isolation can be a problem for many seniors at the best of times. What happens when they are asked to shelter in place?

Although many seniors were likely getting out in the world less than their younger neighbors even before the shutdown, there was still a change in routine, a new lack of social activities, outings and visits. For many living in senior residences, the built-in sense of community seems to help – as does modern technology, allowing for video chats with family.

Courtesy of Cyrus Parvini
Orphans package food for families in need.

Los Altos residents Cyrus and Simin Parvini and the Los Altos Baha’i community have for many years supported Kathmandu’s NECO Home orphanage through the Parvinis’ Children Education Foundation. They have recently extended their aid to Nepalese families in special need due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For the past two months, residents of one of the poorest countries in Asia have been forced to stay home, without work, income or financial support from the government.