Engage As You Age

My mom who has Alzheimer’s was living with us and basically doing nothing during the day while I was at work. We tried taking her to an adult daycare, but the other people there were so much more progressed in the disease and my mom didn’t like it. My mom’s neurologist told us about Engage as You Age and it was such a gift!
Ben (the guy who runs it) met with my mom to get to know her and then based on her personality, he matched her up with a grad student from UC Berkeley. We were very interested in getting my mom’s story preserved so my son and future generations could know what a remarkable woman she was. Michael (the grad student) specialized in southern African American history and since my mom is an African American woman who grew up in South Carolina, he was a perfect match. He met with my mom weekly and interviewed her. He did research on his own to draw out information from her and he ended up recording their talks on my itunes! When my mom wanted, Michael would take her on walks and just have casual conversation with her because she sometimes got frustrated about not being able to remember things. He had a great way of gauging her mood and needs during each meeting. My mom loved Michael and would ask almost everyday when she would see him again.
Working with Ben is wonderful too because he’s very flexible about scheduling. From the couple of times I’ve met him, he also seems to be a genuinely good, caring person who is trying to make our world better. This business is one of those ethical businesses that you’ll want to support.

5 stars to Ben Lewis and his staff for the work that they do. My mother has a new and positive outlook on life again!. They genuinely care. We are very grateful for all their efforts and concerns.
Thank you!

Engage As You Age is a great idea that was put into motion by Ben. The basic premise is this:
— You have an aging friend or parent (I would guess alone)
— They can’t get up and about as much as they used to on their own
— You want to keep them active
Ben schedules a time to meet and get to know the individual. Once done and he gets a better understanding of what the interests and goals are, he will suggest individuals (or an individual) that is intellectually compatible and shares the same interests with that person. This allows for a very quick and stable connection between the person and the staff.
In my case, my mom was having memory problems. Ben was suggested and found graduate students that were doing studies in the same field as my mom did. They spoke about history, the New Yorker, the Times, current events, and even went out for a stroll while discussing San Francisco.
Engage As You Age does not try to replace family or friends; rather, it is another opportunity to keep your loved one current, active, and mentally present. All these things are so important when you get older. This service is a great find and you should give it a try. The price for keeping your mind active is priceless… luckily, this is affordable.
Best of luck,
–Kirk

Engage as You Age is the brilliant brainchild of its owner, Ben. In addition to coming up with and implementing a much-​needed business idea he is one of the nicest and most perceptive people you’ll ever meet.
I found out about EAYA from a geriatric psychologist who evaluated my mom’s memory issues and recommended their services. They provide educated and stimulating «company» who will spend time with your aging loved one. They aren’t caregivers who cook, clean and drive your parent around; they are much more. Your loved one can be paired with an artist, business person, computer tutor, attorney, chess player or whoever you think would help to stimulate your loved one’s mind as they age.
The people who work for Ben are only allowed to work several hours a week, I’m assuming so that they can remain fresh and engaging when they are with the elders.
Julie visited my mother 2 times a week for about a year. I asked to have her come work with my mom on the computer. This was a creative way to encourage my mom to have contact with the outside world since she became more and more introverted as she aged. She grew to really enjoy Julie’s visits. Mainly they’d talk about my mom’s interesting life and Julie would encourage mom to sit outside in the backyard and enjoy the day. It was worth every penny to have mom engage in intelligent conversation rather than watch TV day in and day out. Julie is a young retired person and great conversationalist. She and Ben were also wonderful about expressing any concerns they had about my mom’s declining behaviors. Ben really acted as a coach to me, giving me so many contacts and websites that could help me at the stage where my mother was.
Even though my mom has been in a care facility for a few months now and her mind is very confused, Ben still checks in with me to find out how she’s doing. Engage as You Age is a godsend because of Ben and his true caring.

I cannot say enough good things about Ben Lewis and Engage As You Age! In a world where most people are simply trying to look out for themselves, Ben Lewis and Engage As You Age provide an invaluable service for seniors and adults who are stuck at home. Engage As You Age is unlike any other service out there and everyone should know about the great things they are doing for people!

I was inspired to get involved with Engage as You Age after I watched my own grandmother wither away in a nursing home that counted her as little more than another bedpan. Without a shared language or daily stimulation, my world-​traveled, profoundly spiritual, and tenacious grandmother eventually submitted to depression and dementia. I know her life could have been enriched, if not prolonged, if someone attended to more than her physical needs.
Engage as You Age proposes an alternative model that recognizes the value and impact of social connection, mental stimulation, and ongoing development throughout one’s lifetime. One’s need for connection or interest in the world doesn’t diminish with age, unless those opportunities to connect and learn diminish.
This is what Engage as you Age offers to both the Activity Specialist and the client — the opportunity to connect over a shared passion. The best part is the nice warm-​fuzzy you get from a few hours spent with folks excited to reengage with their interests. I couldn’t get this much enthusiasm or energy from my friends caught in a rat-​trap world.
You know that feeling you get when you meet a stranger who shares a random interest? Think back to middle school when friendships emerged over a favorite band or common interest. Or college days when you were energized by explicating poetry or debating philosophy. These are the things that keep us connected to one another and this is exactly what’s missing from most elder care facilities.
The founder, Ben Lewis, spent a thorough amount of time getting to know my interests and my individual strengths to ensure a good match. I was paired with a retired professor interested in digitizing and archiving an old photo collection on rainy days and planning a shade garden on sunny days. It was a great fit for me, the amateur photographer and gardener, with philosophical leanings.
Ben also conducts a thorough screening process that includes background checks and reference checks. I can appreciate he wants to ensure everyone’s safety. He provided comprehensive training and a manual that clearly outlines the guidelines, precautions, and suggestions for each visit. I was so thoroughly prepared and prepped beforehand that I felt instantly at ease on the first visit.
In short, you get to hang out with cool old folks doing what you enjoy and get paid both monetarily and in ways that transcend the dollar value. Not too shabby a gig!