The Retirement Center is excited to be partnering with the UCSF Retiree Association to offer a monthly learning series.
Upcoming Events
Impacts of Climate Change on Mental Health for Aging Adults
Wednesday, December 6th, 10:30 am - 12:00pm
Presented Online
Register here!
Many of us start our day with coffee while taking in our favorite news source, and the escalating severity of the climate crisis has been a recurring headline. While recognized as one of the most significant threats to global health as the dramatic warming of our planet driven by fossil fuel combustion has led to extreme heat, floods, droughts, wildfires, ocean acidification, air pollution, and species extinction, climate change has also had profound impacts on mental health and well-being.
Climate disruption affects all of us, including future generations. In this presentation, the unique yet extensive threats and distress of climate change on aging adults will be highlighted with a focus on age-specific and socio-economic-cultural determinants that increase the risk of adverse mental and emotional outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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About the UCSFRA and UC Berkeley Learning Series:
The UCSF Retiree Association (UCSFRA) and the Berkeley Retirement Center are excited to partner up to offer a monthly learning series via Zoom. The programs will feature topics relevant to both medical and general interest, building upon the world-renowned expertise of UCSF and UC Berkeley.
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UC Berkeley is committed to making its facilities, activities, and events accessible. To request accommodations for this event, please contact Camille Koué at ucbrc@berkeley.edu at least one week before the event date.
Long-Term Care Insurance, April 26, 2023
Summer Cooking Series Part II: Entrees, July 21, 2021
Muscle Loss in Older Adults, Kathy Bonacini, May 5, 2021
HISTORY OF GOLDEN GATE PARK, Christopher Pollock, FEBRUARY 10, 2021
oral health as we age, Sept 22, 2021
Summer Cooking Series Part I: Salads, June 9, 2021
DESIGNING FOR THE HOMELESS, Sam Davis, JANUARY 21, 2021
Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness to Heal Depression
Presented on December 9, 10:30 am to Noon (recording available soon)
Stuart Eisendrath, MD, resident alum, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and former director of the UCSF Depression Center presented on harnessing the power of mindfulness meditation to heal depression, based on his book “When Antidepressants Aren’t Enough: Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness to Alleviate Depression.”
Andreea Seritan, MD, professor of clinical psychiatry and interim director for Outpatient Geriatric Psychiatry at UCSF's Langley Porter Hospital and ClinicsThe triple challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, shelter-in-place, and historic wildfires brought to light the pressing need to build new and maintain our existing resilience skills and stay connected to each other, albeit through virtual platforms. During this program, participants will be able to identify individual resilience-enhancing strategies and ways to maintain their emotional wellness.
Presented October 13, 2020, Presentation Slides
RESILIENCE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ANDREEA SERITAN, UCSFRA, OCT 2020
Getting Dirty is Good at Any Age, Stephen Andrews, UCSFRA, Sept 2020
Stephen Andrews, Soil Scientist, Educator, and Natural Resources Specialist explores why soil, the most complex biological material on earth, is good for us and our health.
Presentation Slides includes suggested reading materials
Container Gardening, August 2020

Laurel Nagle, a Master Gardener
Learn how to grow almost anything in containers (no yard required)! Providing seasonal color to homes and businesses, container gardening is a fun way to develop your green thumb. Vegetables, flowers, even small trees can be easily grown with the right materials and techniques. Strategies for less-than-perfect environments and long-term maintenance, plus review some helpful resources.
Presented on August 19, 2020, Presentation Slides