AgeSong Institute: A Charitable Fund For Our Elder Care and Educational Programs
AgeSong Institute is an eldercare program of Pacific Institute, a non-profit organization. AgeSong Institute is dedicated to changing the mainstream view of aging. Rather than viewing aging as something to be avoided, we see it as an important phenomenon of life. Aging provides humans with the opportunity to mature and become elders in the true sense of the word: people of wisdom, rich in life experience, able to help us humans and our planet become more aware.
Who We Are
AgeSong Institute is an educational organization that promotes awareness in the way we understand aging, growing old and the role of eldership. It does so through residential care, counseling education, publications, and research. We understand that a non-pathologizing, non-judgmental attitude towards people in need of help is as important for care to take place as is skill and expertise.
With the growing population of aging citizens and citizens with mental health concerns, the need for a more comprehensive, intelligent and loving approach to both eldercare and mental health is urgent today. Through teaching and practicing our philosophy of care we hope to make a contribution to a more accepting and aware people and planet.
Our Vision
For over a decade, AgeSong Institute has been caring for vulnerable and emotionally sensitive older adults who are often the most hidden and invisible people around us. Over the next 10 years, we will continue changing the paradigm for teaching and learning how to care for the elderly and people with chronic mental health issues from a humanistic, process-oriented perspective. Our innovative approach towards the delivery of care and services to our residents allows residents to be who they are and to be valued for their contributions.
Our Mission
Through deepening our awareness of the many dimensions and expressions of human nature, AgeSong Institute will continue to grow its elder care program and teach new perspectives in the field of Mental Health, Gerontology, and Education. We are committed to elevating society’s view of the caregiving profession. We teach new ways of giving care, of growing personally and professionally, of becoming more aware of how to live a meaningful life.
Programs
AgeSong Institute has developed daily enrichment and wellness programs for AgeSong communities that encourage residents’ well-being, creative expression, and strengthening of ties with family and friends. Activities are not meant merely to pass time, but ought to be enriching and rewarding experiences.
Our programs focus on three primary areas:
Community Enrichment – To help residents stay connected to the larger community, AgeSong Institute arranges trips to local theatres, libraries, and art galleries. We also welcome members of the community to engage with us – through our public events, educational workshops, and dining opportunities.
Expressive Arts and Art Therapy – For many elders, this stage of life provides the opportunity to enjoy being creative from painting to writing, performing arts, music and poetry sessions, and the myriad of ways we humans show this innate desire to express ourselves. AgeSong Institute weaves psychotherapy, emotional care, and life coaching into these experiences.
Spiritual Support – For many of us, deepening our spiritual life is vital to our well-being. AgeSong Institute supports residents, families, friends, and staff with meditation rooms, gardens, and other serene environments that are available for private reflection, celebrations, and other gatherings.
Pacific Institute
Pacific Institute is a nonprofit educational organization that promotes awareness in the way we understand aging, growing old and the role of eldership. It does so through residential care, counseling education, publications, and research. Pacific Institute seeks to help change the paradigm for teaching and learning how to care for the elderly through the programs and services it provides at its elder care communities – AgeSong at Hayes Valley and AgeSong at Laguna Grove – from a humanistic, process-oriented perspective.
Through its internship program and deepening its awareness of the many dimensions and expressions of human nature, Pacific Institute teaches new perspectives in the fields of mental health, gerontology, and education. For more information, please visit pacificinstitute.org
AgeSong Institute
624 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
phone: 415-861-3455
email: info@agesonginstitute.org
Website: http://agesonginstitute.org