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Used to living such full lives, many seniors wake up in their later years and find themselves isolated. Perhaps they’ve stopped driving, lost a spouse or moved away from their hometown.
Michelle Rosengaus, the senior manager of adult programs at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto, is on a mission to reconnect those seniors.
“Since the pandemic, it’s been hard to get seniors back,” Rosengaus said. “The seniors in our area are world travelers, subscribers of the symphony and orchestra.”
So one of the first things she did was create “Music in the Afternoon,” a once-a-week concert series featuring accomplished Bay Area musicians. These concerts have drawn people back out and helped them find new friends.
“I want to provide an opportunity for seniors to socialize again,” she said. “I get in touch with seniors who have been locked in their homes.”
Rosengaus scours newspapers, the internet and cultural programs to find meaningful places to take seniors on day trips. Whether it’s the Botticelli drawings at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, a tour of the USS Hornet or a BroadwaySF production of Funny Girl, Rosengaus sees an opportunity. She always gets orchestra seats and often reserves tickets for traveling exhibits six months in advance.
All of the trips are during the day, and seniors can leave their driving worries behind, boarding a comfortable 56-seat charter bus for the trip. All outings include lunch or some kind of get-together before or after to create opportunities to socialize. Those with walkers and canes are welcome, as the bus drops off participants right at the door of their destinations.
Rosengaus encourages people to bring friends as well.
“I’ve seen so many friendships form on these trips,” she said. “It’s very heartwarming. Nobody is left alone. We sit with them and make them feel welcome.”
“Not only is the music superb, but I have the opportunity to connect with old and new friends,” said Palo Alto resident Diane Claerbout, a regular concert attendee. “I am always delighted by the quality of the musical groups.”
New this year, the JCC will offer seniors a mini symphony subscription to five symphonies and a mini San Francisco Ballet subscription to three ballets.
Also popular is the upcoming annual three-day trip to Carmel Bach Festival, where seniors attend multiple concerts a day, staying at the Cypress Inn for two nights.
Field trip participants hail from throughout the Midpeninsula, from Saratoga to Burlingame, and events are open to everyone, Jews and non-Jews alike.
“It’s an opportunity to enjoy their lives again,” Rosengaus said. “It’s meaningful when seniors tell me they’re so grateful to get out. … They’ll say the best thing they’ve done is add (their name) to the mailing list.”
“I feel (the trips) have impacted my life tremendously,” said Palo Alto resident Carol Tannenwald, who participates frequently. “It gets me out to see things I would not go to by myself. Recently we went to Alameda to see the aircraft carrier Hornet, stopping for lunch on our own at Jack London Square.”
Tannenwald has also gone on trips to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, the Center for Steinbeck Studies at San Jose State University and the Botticelli drawings at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.
“I will not drive to these places anymore so it is helping me to explore all these wonderful places,” Tannenwald said. “I am hooked.”