Wellness Resource Library
The resource library is designed specifically for grantees supporting elder care and aging. It is organized by key focus areas—including exercise, nutrition, general health, cognitive issues and dementia, spirituality, care management, and recorded webinars. These resources offer practical guidance and trusted information to help SOAR! grantees better support aging members with dignity and compassion.
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The SOAR! Webinar Series (May 2022 - April 2024)
These eight webinars were co-produced with the Religious Formation Conference. Over 6,000 women and men religious from 30 different countries participated in these programs.
Please do not post the webinars on public sites, such as Facebook or your congregation website.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Exercise
Yoga for Health: What Science Says
Getting Started with Exercise. This information is also available in Spanish.
Five Tips for Exercising Safely During Cold Weather. Download also available.
Exercising with Chronic Conditions. Read about this topic in Spanish.
Are you looking to improve your health and fitness in 2024?
Three Types of Exercise Can Improve Your Health and Physical Ability
AgePage: Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults (nih.gov) Available in Spanish
15 minute workout for older adults from National Institute of Health
Nurturing Body and Soul: Exercise and Nutrition, an NRRO Presentation
Nutrition
NIH News in Health’s special issue on healthy eating Available in Spanish
5 Tips on Choosing Healthier Foods as You Age Download also available
Healthy Meal Planning: Tips for Older Adults
Overcoming Roadblocks to Healthy Eating
Cutting calories may slow the pace of aging in healthy adults | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov) Available in Spanish
Vitamins and supplements | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov) Available in Spanish
General Health
Ashton Applewhite: Let's end ageism | TED Talk
Tips to help support healthy aging
Leisure activities may improve longevity for older adults
Tips on avoiding falls and fractures. This information is also available in Spanish.
Maintaining strength or becoming stronger as you age
Research explores the impact of menopause on women’s health and aging
NIA’s YouTube channel for video options on lots of topics.
Practicing Gratitude for Better Health. Download also available.
Vision Rehabilitation Services That Can Help Older Adults (ncoa.org)
The 4 phases of retirement | Dr. Riley Moynes | TEDxSurrey - YouTube
Connecting Generations Is Key to Combating Loneliness and Ending Ageism
Mental Health, Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
How The Aging Brain Affects Thinking
Alzheimers.gov (click on the chat button and ask any question 24/7)
Signs and symptoms of depression. This information is also available in Spanish.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease. Download PDF.
Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet: This popular resource is now available in more languages including Spanish and Chinese.
Help manage forgetfulness. Also available in Spanish.
Exposure to green space may boost cognitive health
Tips to Make Mealtimes Easier for People with Alzheimers
Tips for Caregivers of People with Dementia
Walking Together: Making Our Way Along the Dementia Path, a five-part part series produced by the National Religious Retirement Office.
A New Look at Brain-Aging: Helping Community Members Understand, Manage and Maintain Brain Health by Alfred Norwood.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer's Disease
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? (alzheimers.gov) (Available in Spanish)
Loneliness and Social Isolation — Tips for Staying Connected | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov) (Available in Spanish)
Social Isolation and Loneliness Outreach Toolkit | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov) (Available in Spanish)
Research highlight: Hearing aids slow cognitive decline in people at high risk
Scams targeting older adults: What you need to know
Four things to know about depression and older adults
Topical Guide: Supporting Social Connection of People Living with Dementia (committoconnect.org)
Measuring Social Isolation (acl.gov)
Dementia Beyond Disease with Dr. A. Power
Empowering Those with Dementia with Dr. A. Power
Dementia Related Anger/Strategies with Dr. A. Power
Apathy/Despondency and Dementia with Dr. A. Power
Beyond Behavior with Dementia with Dr. A. Power
Spirituality
TED Talk: The Habits of Happiness
TED Talk: Less Stuff, More Happiness
Spirituality and Aging by Debbie Duke, MSN.
Aging Gracefully by Susan Muto.
Seven Blessings of Aging by Joan Chittister, OSB.
Becoming a Radiant Elder by Lynn Levo, CSJ.
Flourishing in a Season of Surrender by Ted Dunn, Ph.D.
Beads, Bells and Blessings: Understanding Why the Mass and Other Catholic Practices are Essential by Sr. Ginger Downey, OLVM.
Reflection on Prayer of Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Reflection: To Be or Not To Be by Sr. Marcia Allen, CSJ
Video: Staying Hydrated Emotionally and Spiritually by Fr. Terry Hershey
Instrument of Healing Wellness Coordinator Prayer
Reflections on Healing from Henri Nouwen
Kelli Swazey: Life that Doesn’t End with Death
Francis Weller Interview: The Wild Side of Sorrow
Richard Rohr: The Experience of God’s Love
Different: a short (9 mins) award-winning film (No spoken language)
Sr. Diane Bergant,CSA describes the evolution of spirituality as women religious transition and age: https://relforcon.org/video/free/are-these-golden-years-challenges-opportunities-women-men-religious-face-we-age-
Care Management and Benefit Documents/Information
Worry Less and Age Better with BenefitsCheckUp
Preparing for Religious Sisters' Elderly Care VIDEO organized by RCRI and CARA
Comprehensive Retirement Planning Videos
Telephone and Zoom: Showing Care and Support from a Distance: Online conversations show potential cognitive benefit for socially isolated older adults | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov) All NIH information available in Spanish
Do You Need a Hearing Test? | NIDCD (nih.gov)
Preguntas: ¿Necesita una prueba de audición? | NIDCD (nih.gov)
Helpful Websites
https://seniorplanet.org/classes/ Sponsored by AARP
National Council on Aging www.ncoa.org
National Institute on Aging www.nia.nih.gov
Administration for Community Living www.acl.gov
Avila Institute of Gerontology www.avilainstitute.org
Medicare Rights Center https://www.medicarerights.org/
Commit to Connect to avoid isolation for older adults: https://committoconnect.org/
Support Our Aging Religious
8484 Georgia Ave. Suite 300, Silver Spring, MD 20910