Events at this location

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“If you can hold a crayon, you can do this work” 
~ Lucia Capacchione, PhD

At The Kensington, we understand the unique and complex needs of being a caregiver. Many times as caregivers, we are overwhelmed with caring for our loved one, as well as our own children, and end up neglecting ourselves.

Which is why we are thrilled to partner once again with Dr. Marsha Nelson for this seven-week creative caregiver virtual workshop. During this series, you will be introduced to creative tools such as breathing techniques, drawing, and writing prompts that will reduce your tension level and teach you how to relax quickly and effectively.
The sessions are inspired by the Hello, This is Your Body Talking Draw-It-Yourself Coloring Book, created by Lucia Capacchione, PhD, ATR, REAT and Pioneer Expressive Arts Therapist. 

• Session 1: Feelings Tell Their Story: Pay Attention
• Session 2: Writing from Feelings                                                     
• Session 3 : Express Feelings of Helplessness & Vulnerability Through Art          
• Session 4: Express Feeling Down: Depression, Sadness, & Grief Through Art
• Session 5: Try a Little Tenderness: Love                                               
• Session 6: At Home with Yourself: Happiness, Love, Playfulness
• Session 7: Listening to the Guide Within

About Marsha Nelson, PhD

Dr. Nelson is the co-founder & training supervisor of the Creative Journal Expressive Arts & Visioning® Certification Training Programs www.LuciaC.com and www.visioningcoach.org

Contact Dr. Nelson @  Marshanelsonphd@gmail.com and/or 956.802.9993 cell/text.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Parkinson’s Communication Club meets every Tuesday. Led by Susan I. Wranik, the Club establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, with a focus on maintenance of communication skills. It stresses the importance of speaking louder to be heard in social settings. This program is a collaboration between The Kensington and The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA.)

The Parkinson’s Communication Club is led by a licensed speech-language therapist, Susan Wranik, a certified clinician in LSVT LOUD therapy (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which improves vocal loudness by stimulating muscles of the voice box and speech mechanism through systematic exercises). The Club, however, is not therapy. Rather, it is an exercise group designed to improve volume. The approach helps people speak loudly and clearly in order to make themselves heard. Most importantly, this club is designed in a group setting – one for all and all for one – a team effort to be loud.

Upon RSVPing for this event, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to sign up and join The Parkinson’s Foundation Northern Capital Area (PFNCA). Please use the special offer code provided for a complimentary subscription to PFNCA’s wellness program including this event and many others.

Register Here.

At The Kensington Reston, our mission to improve and preserve the quality of life for every resident is a collaborative effort. To that end, we have built strong relationships with experts to care for our caregivers and loved ones. Please join us for a virtual cooking demonstration hosted by Neurologists, Dr. Ayesha Sherzai and Dr. Dean Sherzai, and our Directors of Dining Services, Chef Erwin Torres and Chef Dusko Novakovic.

Our experts will share recipes from the Sherzais’ best-selling cookbook,The 30-Day Alzheimer’s Solution, which features ingredients proven to prevent and reverse signs of cognitive decline. During this virtual presentation, you will learn tips and tricks on developing and sustaining positive health habits, which can delay the progress of devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

About The Presenters:

Ayesha Sherzai, MD, MAS: Vascular Neurologist & Research Assistant is co-director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at Loma Linda University, where she leads the Lifestyle Program for the Prevention of Neurological Diseases. She completed a dual training in Preventative Medicine and Neurology at Loma Linda University, and a fellowship in Vascular Neurology and Epidemiology at Columbia University. She is also a trained plant-based culinary artist.

Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD, MAS, MP: Behavioral Neurologist & Research Assistant is co-director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at Loma Linda University. Dean trained in Neurology at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and completed fellowships in neurodegenerative diseases and dementia at the National Institutes of Health and UC San Diego. He also holds a PhD in Healthcare Leadership with a focus on community health from Andrews University.

Chef Erwin joined The Kensington family in 2015 and is currently the Director of Dining Services at The Kensington Redondo Beach. Chef Erwin and his family relocated to the United States from Guatemala, where he found his true calling in senior living. His passion is designing menus that not only meet residents’ dietary needs, but also encourage brain and heart health. The Kensington is proud to partner with culinary artists like Chef Erwin who combine the health of residents with a five star, gourmet dining experience.

Chef Dusko Novakovic joined The Kensington Family in 2016 and is currently the Director of Dining Services at The Kensington Sierra Madre. Chef Dusko finished culinary school in Bosnia in 2001. He traveled and work in Europe as a Chief. In 2007 Dusko moved to The United States and began his Senior Living Chef career. Dusko has brought his experiences with traveling, cultures and flavors to The Kensington Sierra Madre. We are lucky to feel his passion for flavors in our daily dining experience.

Questions regarding this event, please contact Karen Carter, Director of Community Outreach, kcarter@kensingtonsl.com.

Register Here.

The holiday season is a great time to share the joys of togetherness and tradition. But for families whose aging relatives are showing signs of decline, the holidays can also be stressful and even, sad.

Join The Kensington Reston for an interactive, panel discussion with Dr. Marsha, Creative Journal Expressive Arts and Visioning, and Alison Moritz, Institute on Aging, for guidance on navigating the difficult decisions and conversations as a caregiver around the holidays. Learn creative, effective ways to handle family dynamics, travel logistics, and other stresses this season.

Questions that will be addressed:

What is the best way to decline a holiday invitation?
How much should I say about my significant other’s medical condition?
Would it be selfish of me to take a trip by myself during the holidays?
Does a Potluck gathering sound like a good idea for the holidays? I have always cooked meals.
Where can I get some tools to deal with my emotions such as grief, loneliness, sadness?
How will I know when it is time for me to make a decision about my longtime care and not have my family decide?
Driving is a source of my independence, when should I surrender my driver’s license?

Marsha Nelson, PhD is the co-founder and training supervisor for the Creative Journal Expressive Arts and Visioning® Certification programs. Dr. Marsha travels worldwide offering Creative Journal Expressive Arts & Visioning® workshops. She serves as the Executive Director of Project Insight, a 501 (C) (3) non-profit “whose mission is to empower individuals by promoting their physical, mental, and physical well-being through the offering of creative healing and educational tools.” She is the author of the Creative Journal for the Cancer Survivor and Caregivers. Offering weekly workshops for 10 years in the McAllen Public Library, Dr. Marsha is a graduate a 2008 graduate of Leadership Texas & 2014 graduate of Leadership America class of 2008. 2015 Community Hero of the Month for Navy Army Credit Union, 1996 Women of the Year for Orange County California, amongst additional honors and awards. Her claim to fame is having created 4 presently successfully active businesses after only taking a typing class in high school!

Marshanelsonphd@gmail.com

Alison Moritz is a gerontologist who has worked in the aging field for 15 years. She focuses on aging with dementia, family structures and societal impacts of caregiving. Moritz is the Program Director for the Institute on Aging’s Enrichment Center; the preeminent dementia day center located in San Francisco. She also helped develop and currently oversees the Dementia Care Coach offering which provides high touch resources for caregivers called Companioa. In addition to her operational work, Moritz facilitates numerous support groups which support families throughout the Bay Area.

Register Here.

“If you can hold a crayon, you can do this work” 
~ Lucia Capacchione, PhD

At The Kensington, we understand the unique and complex needs of being a caregiver. Many times as caregivers, we are overwhelmed with caring for our loved one, as well as our own children, and end up neglecting ourselves.

Which is why we are thrilled to partner once again with Dr. Marsha Nelson for this seven-week creative caregiver virtual workshop. During this series, you will be introduced to creative tools such as breathing techniques, drawing, and writing prompts that will reduce your tension level and teach you how to relax quickly and effectively.
The sessions are inspired by the Hello, This is Your Body Talking Draw-It-Yourself Coloring Book, created by Lucia Capacchione, PhD, ATR, REAT and Pioneer Expressive Arts Therapist. 

• Session 1: Feelings Tell Their Story: Pay Attention
• Session 2: Writing from Feelings                                                     
• Session 3 : Express Feelings of Helplessness & Vulnerability Through Art          
• Session 4: Express Feeling Down: Depression, Sadness, & Grief Through Art
• Session 5: Try a Little Tenderness: Love                                               
• Session 6: At Home with Yourself: Happiness, Love, Playfulness
• Session 7: Listening to the Guide Within

About Marsha Nelson, PhD

Dr. Nelson is the co-founder & training supervisor of the Creative Journal Expressive Arts & Visioning® Certification Training Programs www.LuciaC.com and www.visioningcoach.org

Contact Dr. Nelson @  Marshanelsonphd@gmail.com and/or 956.802.9993 cell/text.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Parkinson’s Communication Club meets every Tuesday. Led by Susan I. Wranik, the Club establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, with a focus on maintenance of communication skills. It stresses the importance of speaking louder to be heard in social settings. This program is a collaboration between The Kensington and The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA.)

The Parkinson’s Communication Club is led by a licensed speech-language therapist, Susan Wranik, a certified clinician in LSVT LOUD therapy (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which improves vocal loudness by stimulating muscles of the voice box and speech mechanism through systematic exercises). The Club, however, is not therapy. Rather, it is an exercise group designed to improve volume. The approach helps people speak loudly and clearly in order to make themselves heard. Most importantly, this club is designed in a group setting – one for all and all for one – a team effort to be loud.

Upon RSVPing for this event, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to sign up and join The Parkinson’s Foundation Northern Capital Area (PFNCA). Please use the special offer code provided for a complimentary subscription to PFNCA’s wellness program including this event and many others.

Register Here

At The Kensington, we are committed to bringing you thoughtful information to support you, your health, and the health of your loved ones. We know that few topics can be as complex and critical as Medicare coverage, which is why we have partnered with Kevin Chaikin, licensed Medicare consultant with Medicare Portal to help you navigate through your Medicare plan options.

This virtual presentation answers the top 5 frequently asked questions by Medicare beneficiaries, and will discuss the basics of Medicare, as well as key milestones and decision points that are critical to get the most out of Medicare and supplemental insurance programs.

Kevin Chaikin, Licensed Insurance Agent with Medicare Portal, focuses on the education and enrollment of individuals into Medicare. Inspired by his own family member’s frustrating experience with Medicare, Kevin committed himself to helping others avoid the stress and costly mistakes that can be experienced when navigating Medicare alone. Compassionate in his approach, Kevin takes time to understand a beneficiary’s health and financial needs to ensure a smooth transition into Medicare, where the goal is to help find coverage that is both comprehensive and cost-effective.

Register Here.

“If you can hold a crayon, you can do this work” 
~ Lucia Capacchione, PhD

At The Kensington, we understand the unique and complex needs of being a caregiver. Many times as caregivers, we are overwhelmed with caring for our loved one, as well as our own children, and end up neglecting ourselves.

Which is why we are thrilled to partner once again with Dr. Marsha Nelson for this seven-week creative caregiver virtual workshop. During this series, you will be introduced to creative tools such as breathing techniques, drawing, and writing prompts that will reduce your tension level and teach you how to relax quickly and effectively.
The sessions are inspired by the Hello, This is Your Body Talking Draw-It-Yourself Coloring Book, created by Lucia Capacchione, PhD, ATR, REAT and Pioneer Expressive Arts Therapist. 

• Session 1: Feelings Tell Their Story: Pay Attention
• Session 2: Writing from Feelings                                                     
• Session 3 : Express Feelings of Helplessness & Vulnerability Through Art          
• Session 4: Express Feeling Down: Depression, Sadness, & Grief Through Art
• Session 5: Try a Little Tenderness: Love                                               
• Session 6: At Home with Yourself: Happiness, Love, Playfulness
• Session 7: Listening to the Guide Within

About Marsha Nelson, PhD

Dr. Nelson is the co-founder & training supervisor of the Creative Journal Expressive Arts & Visioning® Certification Training Programs www.LuciaC.com and www.visioningcoach.org

Contact Dr. Nelson @  Marshanelsonphd@gmail.com and/or 956.802.9993 cell/text.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Parkinson’s Communication Club meets every Tuesday. Led by Susan I. Wranik, the Club establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, with a focus on maintenance of communication skills. It stresses the importance of speaking louder to be heard in social settings. This program is a collaboration between The Kensington and The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA.)

The Parkinson’s Communication Club is led by a licensed speech-language therapist, Susan Wranik, a certified clinician in LSVT LOUD therapy (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which improves vocal loudness by stimulating muscles of the voice box and speech mechanism through systematic exercises). The Club, however, is not therapy. Rather, it is an exercise group designed to improve volume. The approach helps people speak loudly and clearly in order to make themselves heard. Most importantly, this club is designed in a group setting – one for all and all for one – a team effort to be loud.

Upon RSVPing for this event, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to sign up and join The Parkinson’s Foundation Northern Capital Area (PFNCA). Please use the special offer code provided for a complimentary subscription to PFNCA’s wellness program including this event and many others.

Register Here. 

At Kensington Senior Living, our mission to improve and preserve the quality of life for every resident is a collaborative effort. To that end, we have built strong relationships with expert medical professionals who keep us current with the latest advances in care, management and treatment of conditions that affect seniors and their families.

Please join us for an interactive conversation with some of the world’s top neurology specialists who are driving initiatives to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Lauren Miller Rogen of HFC leads this dynamic, all-women panel as they share the latest breakthroughs in research and treatment options, including the controversial FDA approval of the new Biogen medication, Aduhelm, to treat Alzheimer’s. They will discuss the impact of brain disease on families, what to do after diagnosis and how to manage challenges that commonly result from changing family dynamics. Finally, they will offer recommendations about lifestyle habits that can help reduce the risk of memory loss and other degenerative brain diseases.

This event is in collaboration with Cedars Sinai, UCLA, USC, UCSF and Stanford, with a panel discussion moderated by Lauren Miller Rogen of HFC.

Learn more about:

• Exploring the human factor of Alzheimer’s disease, the myths vs. the facts.
• What to do after receiving a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
• How to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and the impact of hereditary risk factors.
• Recent breakthroughs in research, treatments, and blood test diagnosis.
• How will the Biogen drug approval will impact our community.
• Navigating family dynamics and overcoming caregiver challenges.

The Presenters:

Lauren Miller Rogen, Co-Founder, HFC is a screenwriter, director, producer, and philanthropist, whose life has been touched many times over by Alzheimer’s. In 2012—when Lauren’s mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at just 55 years old— Lauren, still in her twenties, co-founded HFC to activate the next generation of Alzheimer’s advocates. Since then, Lauren and the HFC team have brought significant awareness to Alzheimer’s, raising millions of dollars to award free, quality in-home care to families in need of respite and support – all while using humor and hope to engage people. Her dedication to sharing her personal story and using humor as a form of advocacy has left an indelible impact on the Alzheimer’s space. Since 2013, Lauren has served as the Alzheimer’s patient advocate on the board of California’s Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). She also sits on the California Alzheimer’s Task Force and the Steering Committee of the Milken Institute’s Alliance to Improve Dementia Care. In 2012, Lauren starred in, co-wrote, and produced the film For A Good Time Call, which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. She made her feature-length directorial debut in 2018 with the “dramedy” Like Father, a film she wrote and which starred Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer. If there is one thing Lauren wants people to remember, it’s that Alzheimer’s doesn’t have to be sad or scary when you’re fighting against it. You can come to an HFC event and have fun, but also do something for Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Mindy Lipson Aisen, M.D. is the Director of Medical Affairs for the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine (ATRI).  She has been Clinical Professor of Neurology at the USC Keck School since 2009. Her past academic positions include Associate Professor at Cornell University Medical School and Professor at Georgetown University. She is board certified in neurology and neurorehabilitation. Dr. Aisen has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Neurorehabilitation, and formerly served as editor in chief of Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Chief of the National VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, and CEO of the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation.

Dr. Jessica de Leon is a behavioral neurologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, Memory and Aging Center. She received her undergraduate degrees in Neuroscience and Spanish at the Johns Hopkins University and obtained an MD with thesis degree at UCSF. She then completed her residency in neurology and a clinical and research fellowship in behavioral neurology at UCSF. Her research focuses on how bilingualism, language typology and genetics affect the symptoms, neuroimaging, and progression of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s dementia, frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. In her clinical time, she cares for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders as an attending physician at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She has a strong interest in how cultural and socioeconomic factors influence dementia care.

Dr. Sarah Kremen, MD is a behavioral neurologist and the Director of the Neurobehavior Program at the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. She completed her residency in neurology at UCLA and her fellowship training in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry at the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center. She sees patients with memory, language and other cognitive disorders due to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Her research has focused on clinical trials and observational studies of people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s and those already diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and dementia due to Alzheimer’s. Dr. Kremen is actively engaged in educational efforts to improve evaluation and detection of dementia in the primary care setting and to raise community awareness about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. She is a member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council for Alzheimer’s Los Angeles.

Dr. Sharon Sha, MD is a Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University where she serves as the Medical Director of the Stanford Neuroscience Clinical Trials Group, Co-Director of the Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence and Ataxia Clinic, Co-Director of the Lewy Body Disease Association Research Center of Excellence, Clinical Core Co-Leader of the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and Director of the Behavioral Neurology Fellowship. Her clinical time is devoted to caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Her research is devoted to finding treatments for cognitive disorders. Her recent work focused on the safety of young plasma for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Sha received a Master’s degree in Physiology and an MD from Georgetown University, followed by Neurology training at UCLA and Stanford University. She completed a clinical and research fellowship in Behavioral Neurology at UCSF, where she focused on identifying biomarkers for genetic forms of frontotemporal dementia and caring for patients with movement  disorders with cognitive impairment.

Dr. Leila Parand, MD is the Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Her specialties include Neurology, Alzheimer’s Disease, Memory Disorders, and Dementia.

For questions regarding this event, please reach out to Nikki Zbihley, Director of Community Outreach, nzbihley@kensingtonsl.com. 

For questions regarding this event, please reach out to Karen Carter, Director of Community Outreach, kcarter@kensingtonsl.com.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Parkinson’s Communication Club meets every Tuesday. Led by Susan I. Wranik, the Club establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, with a focus on maintenance of communication skills. It stresses the importance of speaking louder to be heard in social settings. This program is a collaboration between The Kensington and The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA.)

The Parkinson’s Communication Club is led by a licensed speech-language therapist, Susan Wranik, a certified clinician in LSVT LOUD therapy (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which improves vocal loudness by stimulating muscles of the voice box and speech mechanism through systematic exercises). The Club, however, is not therapy. Rather, it is an exercise group designed to improve volume. The approach helps people speak loudly and clearly in order to make themselves heard. Most importantly, this club is designed in a group setting – one for all and all for one – a team effort to be loud.

Upon RSVPing for this event, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to sign up and join The Parkinson’s Foundation Northern Capital Area (PFNCA). Please use the special offer code provided for a complimentary subscription to PFNCA’s wellness program including this event and many others.

Register Here.

The Kensington Reston invites you to a virtual literature discussion with Jessica Strand, Director of Public Programs at The Library Foundation of Los Angeles, as she shares 12 of her favorite books, and their power to heal, inform and inspire during this uncertain time.

Leslie Jonath, Strand’s good friend and Founder and Principal of Connected Dots Media, will also be joining the conversation and sharing her expertise from thirty years of experience in book publishing, writing, creative services and media business development.

Get inspired and read with us this holiday season! Check out Jessica Strand’s Top 12 Reads from 2021.

Memoir: 

Upper Bohemia by Hayden Herrera

Notes on Silencing by Lacy Crawford

Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

Lifestyle:

Simply Julie by Julie Turshen

Wine Style by Kate Leahy

Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora (A Cookbook), Bryant Terry

Fiction:

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

The Magician by Colm Toibin

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

Non-Fiction:

Breath: The Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

My Broken Language by Quiara Alegria Hudes

Jessica Strand is the Director of Public Programs at The Library Foundation of Los Angeles. Previously, she has worked in programming for the Alexandria House, The Strand Bookstore, and The New York Public Library before, most recently, founding the cultural initiative, “Dear America.” Strand has contributed to many publications including The LA Times, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, and more. She is an editor and an author of over a dozen cookbooks and literary anthologies.

Leslie Jonath is the Founder and Principal of Connected Dots Media. Her thirty-year career spans book publishing, creative services, and media business development, as well as writing and agenting. Since launching her own company in 2009, Leslie has built a reputation for meaningful beautiful projects that bring people together. From arts organizations and museums to cooks, chefs, floral designers, artists, and illustrators, she loves collaborating with thinkers and makers. Some of her most impactful projects began as books and evolved into multiplatform brands. Her acclaimed Feed Your People project, which started as a book via Kickstarter, turned into a video, became a partnership with a nonprofit, and culminated in a series of live events, including community dinners with landmark panel discussions. Other ventures include book-packaging for such publishers as Ten Speed Press, Chronicle Books, Storey Publishing, and Andrews McMeel Universal. Leslie has also produced and published her own line of books, including the Go to Sleep series for kids and The Little Local Cookbook series. From 1991 to 2009, Leslie was an integral part of the editorial and development team at Chronicle Books. For part of her tenure, she was the Creative Director for Chronicle’s Custom Publishing division, managing name-brand clients that include Baby Gap, Starbucks Coffee Company, Anthropologie, Maker Media, KiwiCo, and the San Francisco Ballet. Leslie is the author of numerous books, including Feed Your People, Foraged Art, Postmark Paris (winner of the Book Builder’s Gold Award), and Bee & Me which was on Publishers Weekly and the New York Times bestseller lists. Leslie holds a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College of Vermont. She has lived in France and on both US coasts and now makes her home in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and a teeny-tiny fire truck.